For the fifth-straight year, student-athletes at the University of New Mexico are joining the fight against cancer. The UNM Alumni Lettermen's Association will sponsor the "Run for Relief." The run, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m., on UNM's Johnson Field, is the Student Lettermen’s Association signature event each fall. T-shirts will be provided to each runner.
The story behind the “Run for Relief” began in 1980 when teenager Terry Fox lost a leg to cancer. But that didn't deter Fox. With an artificial leg, Fox ran 3,339 miles and became a worldwide inspiration to victims of cancer.
Although his cancer recurred, Fox’s great courage touched students at the Santa Fe Preparatory School class of Fred Maas. They telephoned Fox and asked, “What can we do?” Fox answered, “continue my run, because it is not just my run, it is everyone’s.” Fox died of cancer on June 28, 1981.
Over the last 22 years, students have run more than 10,000 miles and raised pledges of over $185,000 in Canada and the United States.
Funds collected will be added to an endowment administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Proceeds of the endowment are used to make grants to needy families who have a child, which suffers from cancer. The UNM Alumni Letterman's Association hopes to expand the endowment. Last year, funds raised from this event went to help Pediatric Oncology at the UNM Health Sciences Center.
Contacts: Kim Feldman, (505) 277-9082; Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821