Make My Day Monday: Pete Friesen Run and Terry Fox Run on 9/12

Happy Labor Day!

I recently became aware of something new called "Make My Day Monday", which is being promoted by sports agent, Scott Norton.  The agent, who represents several NHL players including Dustin Brown, is pushing the concept to do good deeds on Mondays.

We all know the economy is tough and many people have had to cut back on what they can give to charities, but Norton feels that instead of giving money, one can still give of themselves.  

Brown is certainly on board with the project:

Dustin Brown, a finalist for the NHL’s Foundation Award as most charitable player in each of the last two seasons, states, "Charity and giving back is very important to me. I am very proud to be involved with and represent Norton Sports in efforts with Make My Day Mondays. I hope that one day soon, I can look at Twitter on a Monday night and view hundreds of thousands of MMDM’s, and know that I was at the grass roots of people helping other people."   

If you are on Twitter, check out the Twitter feeds of Brown, (@DustinBrown23), as well as Cam Janssen, (@CamJanssen55) to see what their good deeds were for the day.   And maybe Tweet a good deed yourself?

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While we are on this subject, there are a couple of notable charity events coming up this weekend.  Pete Friesen's annual 5K run is this Sunday, September 12, starting at 9 a.m.  All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Eastern North Carolina.

Several Hurricanes players usually participate in this, as well the coaching staff, and it's always a good time.  They also hold a 100 yard and 200 yard dash for the kids.

For more information about the Friesen Run, check out this link.

Also up on the 12th is the Terry Fox Run, the first ever run in North Carolina, which will be held at NC State.  Our friend, Sean Mitton, who runs the Canadian ExPatriot Network, told me about this.

In case you have not heard about the Terry Fox story previously, here is some background:

In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, Fox embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Though the spread of his cancer forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his determination and example created a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$500 million has been raised in his name.

While it will be tough to attend both events on Sunday, (this one starts at 8 a.m.), there is also another function related to the Fox Run which is scheduled earlier in the week. Terry's sister will be in the Triangle and will speak at Duke on Thursday.

This being the 30th Anniversary of Terry's Marathon of Hope, Terry's sister and International Director of the Terry Fox Foundation, Judith Fox-Alder, will be in the Triangle this week for a speaking engagement at Duke University on Thursday, Sept 9th at 3:00 p.m.

Also, a silent auction is being held at the run which includes an autographed Carolina Hurricanes team stick, an autographed photo of Eric Staal, 2 lower level tickets to see a Hurricanes game, and 4 tickets to see the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  

All proceeds will go to the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.  

For more information about the Terry Fox run, check out this link.  

On September 28, ESPN will broadcast "Into the Wind", a film about Terry Fox directed by NBA player and Canadian, Steve Nash, as part of the 30 in 30 series. More from ESPN at this link.

Hopefully, both charities do well this weekend.