Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 02/00) - As this year's Terry Fox Run cancer research fund-raiser run gets under way, organizers are hoping to recruit new key members.

"We really need new blood and we're ready to cross-train people," said Sharon Riviere, co-ordinator for the Yellowknife's 20th Annual Terry Fox Run committee.

Riviere has been part of the organizing committee for the past five years. Other long- time organizers are Brenda Becker and Carol Beck.

"I've been doing it for about five years now, so it's time to share these duties with someone and pass the baton on," said Riviere, who hopes to return to her favourite volunteer position of bookkeeping.

This year's event, set for Sept. 17, will again raise much-needed funds for the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research. Participants will be able to take part in the event either by jogging, walking or cycling.

The committee is hoping to train new volunteers who will eventually take over the organizing committee, said Riviere.

"It's just getting people trained so that they can help take over," she added.

The committee is also starting to recruit event volunteers for various duties such as distributing posters, pledge sheets and certificates. Other volunteers are needed for school promotions and presentations to students.

Those savvy with calculators will be able to do the totalling of pledge sheets and balance the books.

"It will be as little as two to four hours (a week) or half the day on the day of the race," said Riviere.

While the organizing committee is shying away from getting too much attention now, the recruitment of volunteers is urgent. The committee has half of the volunteers needed already committed.

"(We) try not to take away the other groups' thunder by going too soon."

Although Yellowknife residents have a reputation for generous donations, the committee is hoping for additional revenue from more corporate sponsors.

"We really need people soliciting corporations to do it. Then, this comes back as a corporate challenge to other business," she said.

Finding a cure for cancer is the goal for the event which started with the Marathon of Hope. That was when Terry Fox captured the country's imagination in 1980. He started his run in St. John's, Nfld., and reached Thunder Bay five months later.

Those interested may contact Sharon or the Storefront for Voluntary Agencies. Students volunteering may qualify for their school's Career and Life Management community volunteer program.