This year’s Honourary Chair for the Prince Albert Terry Fox Run has been vocal about his battle against cancer.
Ward 5 City Councillor Dennis Ogrodnick was officially named Honourary Chair on Tuesday.
Ogrodnick said he was humbled to selected, and aware of the significance.
“It’s an honour, but it’s not something that you ever want because it means that you’re dealing with cancer, which I am,” Ogrodnick said.
Ogrodnick was diagnosed with kidney cancer more than a year ago that has since metastasized. He has been vocal about the process since being diagnosed.
“It’s pretty serious,” he said. “I’ve been battling it and I’ve had surgery. I had surgery in May.It was a very long procedure in Saskatoon at Saint Paul’s Hospital and the recovery was about a two-month recovery.”
Ogrodnick said he has been biking 20 kilometers each morning and evening on his E Bike to get his exercise. He thanked the St. Paul’s Hospital team that works with cancer patients for their advice.
“I have listened to all of their advice and most importantly, what I’ve listened to is nutrition and exercise and the positive frame of mind through all this,” he explained. “I have been eating healthy food, trying to stay away from processed sugars and things like that, and then
(getting) lots of exercise.”
Ogrodnick is a longtime supporter of the Terry Fox Run dating back to his time as a teacher in Gull Lake and in Prince Albert at St. Francis School and St. Mary High School, where he helped organize and fundraise.
“At St. Mary is where we raised quite a bit of money each year for the Terry Fox Run,” he remembered. “We had Pull for a Cure and different types of activities where we raised money.”
In his role as City Councillor, he has often brought greetings from the city at community events. This included last year at the Terry Fox Run, where he was emotional about his own cancer diagnosis.
“It was a little more personal,” Ogrodnick said.
He said that advances in his own treatment plan are a direct result of the Terry Fox Run and the research that comes from the fundraising.
“Kidney cancer has come a long way in the last five years,” he said. “Even a year ago, the research and the treatment has advanced.
“I’m on immunotherapy and then chemotherapy pills and there’s now a new drug out from a year ago already. I’m still on my current plan and I’ll be on that until it doesn’t work anymore and then try something new,” he added.
Ogrodnick said that the legacy of Fox and the Marathon of Hope itself is also important tohim. Ogrodnick called Fox an Inspiration and the Marathon of Hope incredible.
“It was incredible, in his condition and his shape. He obviously is one of Canada’s greatest and inspired millions to raise money for the research,” Ogrodnick said.
“It’s because of him that I’m still alive. I would have been dead had this research not been done and the treatment been done. Cancer would have killed me and killed many, but it’s because of the Terry Fox Run that advances are being made and more and more people are
surviving longer, so that’s a positive from the Terry Fox Run.”
Ogrodnick said that he has not started fundraising yet but has already set a goal of nearly $5,000.
“Hopefully I can do that. I just hope people donate. They don’t have to donate to my team but to any team in Prince Albert. (Donating) is the key because it all goes to the same place,” he explained.
Ogrodnick added that the community has been supportive since his diagnosis. To support Hockey Fights Cancer in the WHL, Ogrodnick bought the jersey of Logan Pickford, one ofthree former Mintos’ on the Victoria Royals. Ogrodnick has had a long association with the
Mintos.
“People have been very supportive and very encouraging and that’s part of the mental health,” he said. “It’s mental and physical as well, and mentally it’s very important to keep positive.”
Ogrodnick has also been vocal about changes to parking for cancer patients at Victoria Hospital and will continue to be vocal until the decision is completely reversed.
“People should not be paying for parking while receiving treatment at the at the Victoria Hospital,” he said. “Patients shouldn’t be. They changed that April 15, 2024. They decided to start charging cancer patients. I’m fighting it every day.
“They have then grandfathered us that were there prior to April 15, but it’s still wrong and I’m still fighting for all cancer patients and until this government changes this decision,” he added.
The Terry Fox Run for cancer research takes place on Sunday, Sept. 15. Participants can walk, jog, run or wheel and can also choose the distance they want to go, 2, 5 or 10 km. Aroute will be marked out starting at the Alfred Jenkins Field House with a group start at 1:00
pm. Register between noon and 1 p.m.
Register today at www.terryfoxrun.ca and start collecting pledges/donations now. The goal is to raise $15,000. Cancer survivors or patients can join Terry’s Team at www.terryfoxrun.ca.
For more information on any of the events contact Vern Hodgins at 306-980-7014.
According to Hodgins the Terry Fox Relay between Police, Fire and Parkland Ambulance may either be postponed or cancelled because of renovations at Harry Jerome Track.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
