Every September the Kootenay Rhythm Dragons (KRD) invite and encourage the people of Nelson and area – individuals, groups, business’s and families – to join them in the annual Nelson Terry Fox Run.

The Run, is a Canadian tradition, which began in 1980 and embodies KRD’s mission to raise awareness of all cancers, and our vision of promoting empowerment, optimum health and well-being, and enrichment of our community.

On the third Sunday of September, each year, early in the morning at Lakeside Park, about 30 KRD paddlers volunteer to set up, assist participants to register, sign a dedication and enjoy visiting around the coffee table. Once the exciting warm-up, led by our well-known fellow paddler Puleng, is over, the horn sounds and everyone either walks, runs, cycles, or rollerblades along the 2.5 km. lakeshore route that starts and ends in Lakeside Park.

The Kootenay Rhythm Dragon committee works in close coordination with the Terry Fox Foundation and the Terry Fox Research Institute to promote this legacy with the aim of one day stopping the suffering and finding a cure for cancers in people of all ages. Donations received aid in innovative research that leads to successful treatment of cancer. Over the past decade, the KRD has helped to raise from $6000 to $16,000 each year.

Congratulations to the Festival organizers – a job well done!