A recent cancer survivor has been named the Honourary Chair for the 46th Terry Fox Run in Prince Albert.
Kim Pagé, who is the Director of Ticketing, Accounting and Community Relations for the Prince Albert Raiders, said she was humbled to be selected as Chair.
“It’s quite an honour,” Pagé said. “It’s pretty special actually. It’s something I never first saw in my future. When I had cancer, going through the whole journey and then being able to be a survivor, that’s a journey all on its own. Then be able to take the role of an honourary chair, it’s pretty special.”
Pagé said she was surprised to be chosen, but also honoured to follow the path of former Terry Fox Run Honourary Chairs because who came before her like the late Bruce Vance.
“We worked together for the Raiders. He was a friend and his battle was long, hard, (and) probably one of the most incredible journeys I’ve ever seen somebody go on. (I have) just so much respect for him,” she explained.
Vance’s wife Liane was her predecessor as Honourary Chair and another person she admires. Pagé said Liane had her own battle with cancer, and was also an incredible caregiver to Bruce. She admired the Vances, as well as current committee member and Terry Fox Run organizer Chelsea Mitchell.
“Just to be grouped with those people (is a) huge honour,” Pagé said.
Pagé was diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. She said that like most people the diagnosis was completely unexpected. The diagnosis originally appeared to be cervical cancer because of symptoms and what the ultrasounds were showing.
“I was having other issues (that were) completely unrelated, so I went to see the doctor for some other unrelated issues, had some investigations done, and at that point they thought I had cervical cancer,” she said.
“I went to see the doctor and I hadn’t had a physical exam for quite a while. (I) went through that whole process and at that point the doctor found a lump on my breast.
“We were going to follow up with that, but at that point then he found the lump and he was like, this needs immediate attention, so from there, mammograms, referrals, this and that.”
Pagé said the early detection program and early diagnosis was important.
“That was my saving grace right there, the early detection program,” she said.
After it was confirmed, Pagé was sent to Saskatoon and worked with what she called an amazing group of medical professionals including oncologists, surgeons and family doctors.
“They just all rallied together, (and) came up with this fantastic treatment plan for me,” she explained. “Because it was caught early, I had to have surgery and then I had to go through radiation treatments. Then a short while after that they had told me that I was cancer free and I got to ring the bell.”
Pagé was cancer free in 2025 after being diagnosed in early 2025, which she said was amazing turnaround.
“I give credit to my doctor and again, the early diagnosis,” Pagé said.
Pagé said that she was completely lucky and encourages people to go for yearly checkups because that is what caught her cancer early. She said she had not done one for a while because of COVID-19
“If I wasn’t with the doctor at that point, I probably would not have known,” she said. “Afterwards. I was able to find the lump myself, and self-examinations. People should be doing that kind of thing, which I hadn’t.”
She said that even though she is cancer free it is still a journey for her.
“It’s mental,” she explained. “I mean, the physical part of it is hard, obviously, but the mental and emotional part of it is tough. But after you have cancer, that’s probably the biggest battle for people because when you’re cancer free it doesn’t end. It’s constantly being scared every day, every appointment, every phone call…. I’m just thankful that I’m labeled as cancer free now.”
She said the legacy of Terry Fox provided a boost for her own diagnosis and recovery, since Terry Fox Run fundraising supports early detection programs.
“I’m a recipient of that so it definitely means a lot,” she said. “I’m happy to advocate for it.”
Pagé has started her own fundraising team for the Prince Albert Terry Fox Run, and has friends and family signed up to participate.
“I’m hoping some more friends and family will come out, whether they register on the team or they just come out and support it,” Pagé said.
Pagé usually takes more back-seat rolls with the Raiders and other organizations she supports. She’s accepted that this more front-facing role comes with other obligations, like making a speech the day of the event.
“We have some people who are more recognized as the faces of the organization. Maybe people know that I work for the team because I’m always there, but I’m not that person out in the front,” Pagé said.
“This is out of my comfort zone completely.”
Even though she is cancer free, Pagé said the disease still impacts her. She recently lost an immediate family member to Stage 4 Cancer, and that’s also influenced her efforts.
“It’s super important,” she said. “It’s just a disease that affects everybody. It doesn’t matter if you’re a child, a teenager, an adult, a man or like nothing, it doesn’t matter. It affects everybody. I’m sure every single person you talk to knows somebody who’s been affected by it.”
The Terry Fox Run for cancer research takes place on Sunday, Sept. 20. Participants can walk, jog, run or wheel and can also choose the distance they want to go, 2, 5 or 10 km. A route 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.
“We just want people to come out and support it,” she said. “They don’t have to run. I know people have asked me the question. You don’t have to come out and run a certain (distance). Just walk, skip, ride a bike, whatever, just come out and participate.”
As well on Saturday, Sept.12 is the Terry Fox Relay at the Harry Jerome Track at 1 p.m. The annual fundraiser features a relay competition between the Prince Albert Police Service, Parkland Ambulance and Prince Albert Fire Department.
