Terry Fox is one of Ava's heroes and his campaign inspires people like Ava to continue to fight against cancer | Mik Horvath/MBC
Ava Butler is a fifth grader who loves running.
She likes both long distance cross-country style and shorter sprints on a laid track, although she has a particular knack for the 100 metre sprint.
Akin to the great Terry Fox, whom Butler idolizes, she also focuses her runner’s spirit on the fight against cancer.
For six years she has been participating in Central’s Terry Fox fundraiser, and she has been the top earner each time raising at least one thousand dollars, but this year is a new personal record.
Ava’s mom, Amanda Butler is a teacher at Central and also organizes the fundraiser.
When the Butlers visited the myFM studio on Sept. 26, the total amount raised was $2420 and Ava said she is very happy with this year’s result.
Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, Amanda said the Terry Fox Foundation reached out to the family to inform them Ava is one of the top 10 fundraisers in all of Ontario.
Amanda told myFM the fundraising is mostly done digitally which helps streamline the process.
Ava’s job is to get the word out about the good fight and promote the fundraiser.
The Terry Fox campaign is very meaningful for the Butler family because five years ago Ava lost her father to brain cancer.
Each year the Butlers try harder and harder to help the Terry Fox Foundation | Mik Horvath/MBC
Ava said Terry Fox’s selflessness is her favourite aspect of him and his mission.
Central’s fundraiser runs until Oct. 9, and any little bit helps.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
