Time has flown by! It’s been 45 years since the Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, and it’s the 60th anniversary of the Maple leaf flag. This year, we are undertaking “Our Canada!”, to raise funds in support of Terry Fox Foundation. We are offering several opportunities to participate. Whether it’s personal, or a way to give back, we hope you will work with us to make an “impact in action”.
To view our campaign promo, click here.
When: Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 9:30 am to 3 pm
Where: Milne Dam Conservation Park, 8251 McCowan Rd, Markham, ON L3P 3J3
Dress code: Did you screen an Our Canada! t-shirt? Today's the day to show it off! For others, this event has a Canada Day vibe, so red and white is de rigueur, but wear what’s comfy, colourful, and best reflects you.
Why: Our Studio community has been hard hit by cancer. Some folks are in remission, others are going through treatment, and family and friends have also been touched by cancer. While early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for patients has significantly improved, we all know there is some way to go. Small steps lead to great strides—let’s go the distance!
Meet up at the designated parking lot (Greenacres B). Bring a hat, water bottle, and comfortable walking shoes, and hiking pole, if needed, for a morning of light exercise walking the trail, guided by Melanie Kidd. Pick up a token from a volunteer event marshal. Dogs on leash welcome.
Stick around for our picnic/BBQ at Greenacres B for an afternoon of fun and community. This ticketed event includes BBQ staples and silly family-friendly activities. Hope to see you there!
To view our Picnic/BBQ event promo, click here.
$5 from every ticket goes to Terry Fox Foundation. Each purchase of an adult ticket also gives you a raffle ticket to win one of our Canada-themed prizes.
Ticket price: $30 + HST/adult; $20 + HST/youth (age 7 to 16); Free/child (age 6 and under)
How to purchase: Payment can be made by email (e-transfer Glasstronomy Studios at info@glasstronomystudios.ca), in Studio (cash, debit, MasterCard, Visa), or over the phone (MasterCard, Visa). Our telephone number is 905.415.9777.
Raffle ticket price: $5 + HST
Raffle draw date: June 21, 2025, at the Our Canada! Picnic/BBQ event
How to purchase: Payment can be made by email (e-transfer Glasstronomy Studios at info@glasstronomystudios.ca), in Studio (cash, debit, MasterCard, Visa), or over the phone (MasterCard, Visa). Our telephone number is 905.415.9777.
To find out more about Terry Fox Foundation, visit their website, terryfox.org. For their latest Finish it! call to action, click here.
The Terry Fox Research Institute looks to better understand cancer diagnosis and treatment to significantly improve outcomes for patients.
Find more information about the Terry Fox Institute, click here.
Did you get caught up in the phenomenon of Terry Fox? At 21-years old, he was everyone's son, brother, cousin, friend, neighbour, and hero. His goal was to raise $1 for every Canadian citizen to help those going through cancer. He ran a marathon a day on an artificial leg on a monumental trek across Canada, until cancer came back and he was forced to end his journey. He taught us what true courage and perseverance is, how to conquer adversity, and to believe in the impossible. In 2025, a time when we all question what it is to be Canadian, Terry Fox's values, resolve, goals, and sacrifice are as important today as they were in 1980.
1980 | Terry Fox stops in Toronto in 1980 (CBC News)
1980 | Run Terry Run / Va Terry Va by Nancy Ryan (Waterloo Music)
1981 | The Runner by Ian Thomas (Universal Music Group)
1983 | Runner (cover) by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (RCA Records)
2020 | Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope 40 years later (CBC News)
2024 | Our next $5 bank note (Bank of Canada)
Terry Fox will be featured on $5 bills that enter circulation in 2027.
In April, member volunteers went on a creative blitz to craft stained glass heart suncatchers and fused glass keychains. 50% of the proceeds from the sale of these items will go to Terry Fox Foundation.
Price: $40/item
How to purchase: Payment can be made in cash to a member volunteer or through Glasstronomy Studios. $20 from the purchase of each item will be donated to Terry Fox Foundation.
Member volunteers who want to sell items in other spaces can collect them from the Studio along with a sell sheet.
To view our sale event promo, click here.
Stained glass suncatcher
Fused glass keychain
These limited edition bandanas will be a great way for you or your dog to show some support and swag at our June 21 event. A big shout out and thank you to Christina for screening and making these special pieces for our favourite animals. All proceeds from the sale of these items will go to Terry Fox Foundation.
Price: $20/item
How to purchase: Payment can be made in cash to through Glasstronomy Studios. All proceeds from the purchase of each item will be donated to Terry Fox Foundation.
Limited quantities available, each one-of-a-kind, some double-sided.
Bandana modelled by Mia
Can you spare a toonie? Next time you're in Studio, drop a $2 coin in the Toonies for Terry water cooler bottle located in our consultation space. All money donated will go to Terry Fox Foundation.
Thank you to our member makers who crafted the fused glass key chains and stained glass suncatchers: Christina, Ethel, Jill, Lella, Marjolyn, Marty, Meghan, Mia, Millean, Susan, Susanna, Sylvia, Udiya, Valerie, Vanessa
Thanks to the artisans for their creative donations: Christina (bandanas), Millean (preserves for raffle basket), Mina/Bodkin Originals (pottery and felting for raffle basket), Robyn/Rebel Rugs (hooking for raffle basket)
A big thank you to folks lending us equipment for the event, such as charcoal BBQs/tools, tables and chairs, tents: Lella/Graeme, Melanie/Stewart, Millean, Susan, Sylvia/Lawrence, Vanessa/Kemol
Many thanks to everyone who pledged to pitch in before, during, and after the event, and everyone who will do it anyway: Ethel; Lella, Graeme, and Gareth; Millean and Peter; Stewart; Sylvia and Lawrence; Valerie; Vanessa and Kemol
A special thank you to Ali Ehsassi, MP for Willowdale, and Franklin Beecham, for supporting our theme.
If you want to participate in any way, have a particular skill/talent you want to share, please let us know! Email us at members@glasstronomystudios.ca
If you would like to share a personal memory about the Marathon of Hope, your cancer journey, or the impact on Canada's flag on your identity as a Canadian, email us at members@glasstronomystudios.ca
Elizabeth’s beloved dad passed away from a cancer so rare it has no name and affects less than 3% of people world-wide. Her maternal grandmother had breast cancer. It went into remission, but sadly, it made an aggressive reappearance when she was in her 80s. Both her fraternal grandmother and maternal grandmother succumbed to stomach cancer. Elizabeth’s takeaway: Whether inherited, environmental, or habitual, familial association increases the risk. Regular screening is essential.
Elizabeth was a teenager when Terry Fox made his monumental Marathon of Hope. She followed his trek on the news and was part of the growing crowds that cheered as Terry ran down Yonge Street. Like most of us, she was awed by his grit and determination, grieved his passing, and continues to celebrate his memory supporting Terry Fox Foundation and those who continue to run in his name around the world. What are your memories?
