Ryan Reynolds helped choose this year’s annual Terry Fox Run shirt – and demand is high

Actor Ryan Reynolds teamed up with the annual Terry Fox Run to help choose a design for this year’s limited edition T-shirt.

The Vancouver-born actor tweeted about his involvement with the Terry Fox Foundation, which raises money for cancer research.

“I’ve been participating in the Terry Fox Run since second grade and I can’t think of a more lasting and beautiful legacy for one person. Terry Fox has inspired millions in life and death,” the tweet reads.

Due to high demand, the foundation allowed pre-sales of the shirt for the first time. So far, more than 8,000 T-shirts have been sold, said Kirsten Fox, Terry’s oldest niece who is involved with the foundation.

She says the Terry Fox Foundation is happy to have Reynolds join.

“He is the BC boy, a Canadian guy who is, of course, inspired by Terry Fox, as many of us are,” she said.

‘Dear Terry’

The foundation releases limited edition T-shirts each year, with proceeds going to cancer research.

This year’s issue features a black-and-white photo of Fox on the front, with a bit of red on it. Behind the image are the words “Dear Terry” in blue script, with genuine handwritten letters to Fox copied and removed on the back.

The design is also bilingual with “Cher Terry” written on the shirt.

“It’s a nice throwback,” said Kirsten.

“We’re kind of bringing it back to the wonderful letters and words of support and the wonderful drawings and cards that Terry would have received, during and after his Marathon of Hope,” she said.

A tribute to a Canadian icon

The shirts come as T-shirts or long sleeve and range from $20 to $40 depending on size and style.

More than $250,000 has already been raised and the proceeds will go to cancer research, said Kirsten Fox.

The shirts will be launched on April 12, the same day that Fox started his Marathon of Hope.

“So according to what Terry wanted, and what his Marathon of Hope was all about,” she said.

After losing a leg to osteosarcoma, Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980 to raise money for cancer research.

His dream of running cross-country near Thunder Bay, Ont., was cut short when he learned that cancer had spread to his lungs. He died on June 28, 1981.

The volunteers kept Fox’s legacy alive by organizing annual runs to raise money for cancer.

This year’s run takes place on 17 September.