Thirty-three years after Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope – that marathon continued today in communities across Simcoe County and Muskoka.

In Barrie, hundreds of people pounded the pavement this morning along the waterfront. With every step – strides were made to support cancer research.

This is Gaye Darbersher’s fourth Terry Fox run. She has been cancer free for four years now.

“We are proof that the money raised is really important and is doing its work.”

Jennifer Pike is walking for her 18-year-old son Jordan who is currently being treated at Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto.

“He’s recovering from his surgery he had on Monday. Parts of the muscles on his leg were removed. We’re going to get him back on the ski slopes soon.”

And hope for a cure is what brings out so many participants and unites them.

“Two out of every five of us will those words – you have cancer. With research, the more dollars we get towards it – the closer we are to a cure,” says Barrie run organizer Patrick Scott.

Hundreds of people also laced up their shoes in Collingwood and in Orillia. From survivors to families who have lost a loved one, everyone has a story to share and a reason to help make a difference.

Back in 1980, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope but after more than 5,000 kilometres his cancer prevented him from finishing.

Millions of people have since carried on his mission and Fox’s story has inspired so many kids today too – including 6-year-old Erin. Her uncle Kelly lost his battle with cancer last month and she asked her family to put together a team.

“I wanted to make sure that he knew I was helping without cancer.”

Organizers are now busy tallying how much money was raised on Sunday. So far the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $600 million worldwide for cancer research.