Cory Percevault: Honouring the Terry Fox legacy
BCSFA, Beyond Expectations, September 18, 2012
Cory was 10 years old – in Grade 5 - when he first read the biography of Terry Fox.
It was a story that he connected with back then, and which only resonated more as the years went by and he saw people – his grandmother, friends – battle cancer.
“I was passionate about his cause and every year was involved,” said Cory, plant manager at Noboco Aqua-Pak, about the connection to Terry Fox’s own fundraising work for cancer research and personal struggle with the disease.
“I walked the run, and then when I could run the run, I ran it,” he laughs about the progression of his fitness over the years of his involvement.
It was his attention to increased fitness – and his engagement in the Strathcona Triathlon Club - that moved Cory from participant to organizer of the annual Campbell River Terry Fox Run, held each September. For six years, the millwright/power engineer has sat on the planning committee for the run, and has served as chair for the last two.
“Now I don’t actually do the run – I do it later by myself,” says Cory about the busy event day.
The work involves a lot of commitment: lining up sponsors, promoting the run and fundraiser, getting volunteers and more. Its work that he only wishes he could do more of.
“I just believe in the cause,” said Cory about why he’s volunteered this time. “It’s been great – I wish I could give more time.” Cory also serves as president of Positive Aquaculture Awareness, which focuses on highlighting the positive contribution by aquaculture businesses in our communities.
In his office, Cory has a picture of a group of children – his son is one of them – hoisting the Terry Fox flag at city hall. His son was 4 then, when Cory started volunteering, and this year Cole has reached age 10.
The fundraising total for 2011 was $6,700, and the 2012 run in Campbell River was just completed this past weekend. This will also be Cory’s last year as a co-ordinator –he’s ready to get his running shoes back on for the annual event.
That doesn’t mean he’ll be a passive participant though.
“I’ll still be involved – I’ll just physically get to run next year, with everyone,” he said.
