You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Canada who doesn’t know about Terry Fox or the fundraising run that bears his name.
Wolfgang Kuehnen, now 10, participated in his first Terry Fox Run when he was in junior kindergarten at Huntsville Public School (HPS). He donated $20 he received as a birthday gift. Every year since, he has collected funds for the Terry Fox Foundation to be donated at the annual community run in September.
Both Wolfgang and his younger brother Atticus, now 7, love Terry Fox and have idolized him ever since their first years at HPS. Wolfgang has collected books and coins which honour Terry Fox. Even though the Kuehnen family has never directly been affected by cancer, they are happy to fundraise for such an important cause every year.
This year’s Terry Fox Run—which commemorates the 40th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope—is a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wolfgang and Atticus both have birthdays in August. This year they decided to make their joint birthday party a Ride for Hope. They invited friends and guests to bring bikes, scooters, skateboards, and strollers to ride or walk at the Lookout Field track. The brothers hoped to raise $500 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
The family reached out to Sharon Stahls, community coordinator for the local Terry Fox Run, who said her heart was full when she heard about the boys’ passion. She added that both exhibit some of Terry’s character traits, such as empathy, perseverance, kindness, and thinking of others.
On Sunday, August 30, the brothers and guests took to the track, and Stahls was there with Terry Fox signs, posters, flags, and her personal collection of Terry Fox shirts to make the event festive.
The Kuehnen family (clockwise from back left) Jason, Marcia, Atticus and Wolfgang with some Terry Fox Run-themed birthday treats. (Photo: Sharon Stahls)
Wolfgang achieved his goal to complete 40 laps for the 40th anniversary of Terry’s run, while Atticus rode 20 laps—a total combined distance of 24km for the pair. When added to the distances completed by family and friends, the group travelled a total of 117km.
Atticus (left) and Wolfgang Kuehnen on their Ride for Hope
Ready to ride! (From left) Jason Kuehnen, Marcia Kuehnen, Henry Jagosky, Blake Bourdon, Brad Bourdon, Lindsay Bourdon, Atticus Kuehnen, Wolfgang Kuehnen, Elias Corbett, Lee Zytaruk, Juliet Occhiuzzi, Dante Occhiuzzi (Photo: Sharon Stahls)
In the process, they raised $850 via both online and in-person donations for the Terry Fox Foundation. Wolfgang and Atticus are motivated to gather another $150 to double their fundraising goal. If you are interested in donating to their team total, click here or visit terryfox.org and search for Birthday Brothers on the team page.
(From left) Dante Occhiuzzi, Charlotte Jagosky, Juliet Occhiuzzi, Ella Douglas, Wolfgang Kuehnen, Atticus Kuehnen, Blake Bourdon, Isaac Leonard, Lee Zytaruk, Elias Corbett, and Henry Jagosky
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Way to go, Wolfgang & Atticus! Huntsville’s future is bright and that future is now. At 10 & 7, you two guys are already an integral part of the community. There’s no such thing as “junior community spirit” — you guys embody community spirit in full! Cheering you on!
Congratulations Atticus and Wolfgang. You are brave, strong and generous, just like your hero Terry Fox. Good for you to keep his run going.
These boys are the embodiment of hope and Terry is smiling down on them for sure. I’m so proud of them and inspired by their selflessness. Way to go lads you are going to be great leaders one day.
Congratulations to all these young people. They are our future!
I left that event with my heart full that day. At a time when there is so much devastation in the world these two boys brought me a breath of fresh air. Thank you Wolfgang and Atticus for thinking of others. ?
Terry Foxer
Sharon Stahls