Rankin Inlet (July 02/03) - The Kivalliq is running short of coordinators for Terry Fox's annual Marathon of Hope.

The Terry Fox run is an event that for the past 23 years has been adopted by thousands of communities across Canada.

And, according to Rhonda Risebrough, provincial director for Alberta/NWT and Nunavut, the North has always shown tremendous support for Terry's cause.

Since 1981, Terry's legacy has raised over $320 million for Cancer research.

In the Kivalliq $141,780 has been raised.

That is a legacy in the region that the Terry Fox Foundation is hoping to continue.

But, it is also a legacy that is beginning to lag behind.

Over the past four years Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour have been without run coordinators.

"We don't know why that is," said Risebrough.

"The organizers stepped down and nobody has stepped up to take their place."

This year it is hoped someone will take the reigns in the two communities to reclaim the success it has had in the past.

Since 1981 Rankin Inlet alone has generated in excess of $40,000 to the cause.

Organizing the event is simple.

The Terry Fox Foundation supplies all the promotional materials and pledge forms.

All a coordinator has to do is choose a run site and inform the public that the run will take place.

"Normally the run is 10 kilometres," said Risebrough.

But, there is an option of having a five kilometre run for people wanting to go a shorter distance.

"This is the 23rd year and we don't want it to end in a community. It's a nice legacy," said Risebrough.

"Especially for school children, there are a lot of lessons to be learned from Terry."

The run is held every year on Sept. 14. The foundation is hoping people will step forward in Coral and Rankin to rekindle Terry's dream.

"We encourage people to use the buddy system. Then they have somebody there so they can pass on the responsibility when they step down," said Risebrough.

To get involved, contact the Terry Fox Foundation, or visit its website at www.terryfoxrun.org.