Barrie's Will Dwyer celebrates a big birthday with Terry Fox committee
One of Barrie's most respected citizens is celebrating a major milestone.
Will Dwyer, who may best be known for his decades-long dedication to the Terry Fox Foundation, is turning 96-years-old on August 2.
"I'm just one of those guys that like to raise money for almost anything, Parkinson's, veterans and Terry Fox," Will says. The well-known face was at the Terry Fox Foundation's booth at Open Air Dunlop on Saturday, where early birthday celebrations took place.
"I don't think there's very many people who are that committed and just show that much dedication to something for the number of years that he has," says Marilyn Nigro, the chair of the Barrie Terry Fox Committee. "He is a pillar of the community. When Will goes door to door, everybody greets him with a smile. They know who he is."
Will has been participating in every Terry Fox Run since its conception. In 2019, he crossed a significant milestone, bringing in more than $1 million in pledges.
"If somebody's not proud of what he's doing or what he's done, then there's something wrong," says Robert Dwyer, Will's son. "It's just unbelievable. The spinoff from people, from regular customers I meet when I'm with him or take him around for pledges. It's beautiful."
Will spent months in the hospital earlier this year, as he has been facing an advanced prostate cancer diagnosis for the last three years.
"It's been a long recovery, and he's still recovering," says Robert. "Hopefully, he'll get back to where he was before he went in the hospital on February 20."
Despite his challenges over the last year, Will continues to pursue his passion for helping the Terry Fox Foundation. He's working towards raising another million dollars.
It is welcome news to the foundation's local chapter preparing for this year's run.
"One of the new things we are doing this year is putting red lawn signs up for any Terry's Team member," says Nigro. "So if you are a cancer survivor and you would like to sign up, please contact us."
Will is expected to join the Terry Fox Committee at its tent at Open Air Dunlop on Saturdays; however, due to health concerns, he isn't expected always to be there. The Dwyer family has a website set up that can accept donations. You can find that here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.