HAGERSVILLE—Brian Whitman, a former Hagersville resident and current Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member stationed in the United Kingdom, is excited to continue his long-standing fundraising efforts toward cancer research in the upcoming London, UK Terry Fox Run.
The Whitman name is familiar to many in Hagersville, as dad Brian Sr. taught at Hagersville Secondary School and older brother Anthony currently teaches there.
Having reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class, Whitman currently serves as a Naval Combat Information Operator for the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the central command of all NATO maritime forces based out of Northwood, England.
When he learned that there was a UK-based version of the perennially popular Terry Fox Run, established through the efforts of Canada House UK, the UK Terry Fox Association, and spearheaded by Canadian businessman Neil Johnson, he knew he had to get in on the action.
“As every Canadian school child, I learned about Terry Fox every year in school as we celebrated his memory and participated in the annual Terry Fox Run. He has been a hero to me since as long as I can remember,” said Whitman, expressing admiration for Fox’s indomitable spirit and the inspiration he left behind. “He set himself an incredible goal and showed incredible determination. All of this to help his fellow Canadians and cancer sufferers. Honestly, with his determination, selflessness, and charitable spirit, how could anyone who knows his story not be inspired?”
Whitman is no stranger to the devastating impact of cancer, having lost his mother and a brother to it. Cancer has also taken his paternal grandfather, two uncles on his maternal side, and two high school friends, with a close friend and an aunt currently undergoing treatment for it as well.
While Whitman had been a long-time Terry Fox Run participant, following his losses he felt a longing to do more, organizing annual teams of family and friends to participate in the run and greatly increasing the amount of potential funds he could raise for cancer research in the process.
“My personal experience has driven my ambition to do more each year…. It has also helped me to share common experience with others, aiding in team-recruiting and fundraising.”
Whitman assembled his first UK-based team last year, Team MARCOM, pulling from the 13 CAF members stationed at Northwood at the time. After last year’s event, he took time to visit with doctors at the Institute of Cancer Research, London for a first-hand look at how funds generated from the run are used.
“I was inspired by the many doctors who have shared their history and what motivated them to devote their life to cancer research, and it really affected my drive to help them.”
This year, he’s gone bigger, growing his team to 50 members pulled from Northwood, the European Canadian Forces Support Unit, and military personnel and their families from Italy, USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Bulgaria.
“I sent out an email, and talked to anyone who came to me with questions about Terry Fox’s story and how cancer has affected my life…. Many of my teammates have asked me for information on Terry Fox, which we have had the opportunity to discuss. They have also offered sympathy and opened up about their own family and friends’ struggles with cancer.”
Whitman is inspired by the commitment of UK-based Canadians to extend Fox’s legacy to an international audience, noting that in addition to the UK-based run, Fox was featured prominently in a Canada Day event held in London’s Trafalgar Square this year, which featured a Terry Fox tent selling t-shirts and showcasing a multimedia display.
The heart of Whitman’s efforts lies in raising as much money as possible each year. He is hoping to hit a new record and double his final take from last year, with an overall goal of £2,000 GBP ($3,456 CDN) for 2023. Currently, he has raised £1,560 GBP ($2,695 CDN) toward that goal and is hoping for a little hometown support to get over the line.
“I would love for anyone in the Haldimand area and my hometown of Hagersville to consider donating to my team for the Institute for Cancer Research. If they would like to donate locally to the Canadian Cancer Society, that would also be great. And even better: they should get their own team or join a team and fundraise themselves! All these organizations work together, and with so many of us being affected by cancer in our lifetimes, it benefits ourselves, our loved ones, friends, and fellow man to make an effort to support these dedicated doctors and researchers in their efforts.”
To directly support Whitman’s effort, visit justgiving.com/page/terryfoxrun-team-marcom.
“100% of proceeds go directly to the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) located here in London, UK. The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years,” explained Whitman. “They work with other cancer research facilities and hospitals throughout the world, so it benefits us all, wherever you live.”
Whitman noted that although the site is UK-based, it is possible to make a donation in Canadian dollars.
He concluded, “I would like to thank anyone who considers donating to my team for this worthwhile cause. We all know it’s a great cause, so I hope I can get some help in reaching my goal.”
The 2023 UK Terry Fox Run will be held in Battersea Park in London, UK on September 17, 2023. The Press congratulates Whitman for his commendable efforts. Like his hero, Whitman is worthy of the praise as a true hometown hero.
