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
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.