by Karina Hunter

 Emeraude Charron of Manitouwadge, Ontario was just 16 months old the first time her Mom stopped at the Terry Fox Monument outside Thunder Bay so that big brother Lloyd could read her the information engraved on the monument.  It made a lasting impression because from that day forward at least once a week she would ask her Mom “Tell me Terry’s story again Mommy” and never tires of hearing any information her Mom or brother can find in regards to the young hero whose Marathon of Hope fundraising run across the country ended on September 1^st, 1980; 25 years before Charron was born.  It is no surprise that when mom, Karina, told the homeschooled 4 year old that this year she had finally come of age to actively participate in the Terry Fox Run she was ecstatic. 

Charron spoke with her Mom about getting sponsors, though normally shy, she was undaunted by the task ahead of canvassing door-to-door for funds which would go to the Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research and set a goal of $1000.  Less than a week later, her mom was very proud that Emeraude had already raised $325 and contacted the Schools Department of the Ontario Fox Foundation to see if they might send her daughter a tattoo or pamphlet to encourage her in her fundraising. Charron was thrilled on Thursday when she was delivered a box with the iconic photo of Terry running on it “A Terry Fox box Mommy, they know about the money I’m raising for research!”  Her mother knew the box was coming, Nishi Bansal, from the Terry Fox Foundation had emailed her back, touched with the story of this young girl, so inspired by Terry’s story and assured her that they would indeed send something for Emeraude. “It was like Christmas in September” Charron’s mother recalled, “She was so excited at everything they had sent”. Charron had good reason to be flattered, the box included a compilation DVD with Terry’s story and plenty of video from his run, posters, a t-shirt, badges and shoe tags and yes, even some tattoos.  Charron quickly put on her t-shirt and was insisting her mom accompany her to get back to canvassing.   

That was Thursday, and at bedtime, Charron’s fundraising efforts on-line and door-to-door totaled over $700 the special package has certainly fueled her enthusiasm. Though her mom had warned that some people might say no, she has yet to have a single person in Manitouwadge turn her away without a contribution! With just “2 sleeps” until the community run, Charron is working harder than ever to collect pledges, still intent on raising $1000.  She will be accompanied on Sunday by her mom, brother, and grandparents, her grandfather himself having successfully battled both skin and prostate cancer and though the  79 year old received a new hip less than a year ago he has vowed to walk what he can of the 1km Terry Fox Run with his granddaughter.  If you would like to sponsor Charron, visit www.terryfox.org/Run and click on Donate to a Participant, before by Sunday morning; she is participant KA9958. As for Charron, she is already looking forward to next year’s run having vowed to double the pledges she raises this year.  

Submitted to the Chronicle Journal  09.11.09 Published 09.13.09