WE 'WILL' WALK: War Vet, 94, aims to raise $1M for cancer research

Fatima Texiwala
Published Aug 26, 2019  •  2 minute read
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Will Dwyer, 94, has fund raised $935,000 out of his one million goal towards the Terry Fox Foundation. Robert Dwyer
Will Dwyer, 94, has fund raised $935,000 out of his one million goal towards the Terry Fox Foundation. Robert Dwyer

A 94-year-old Second World War veteran is $60,000 away from achieving his lifetime goal of raising a million dollars for cancer research.

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Having participated in the Terry Fox Run for the past 39 years, Will Dwyer has so far raised more than $940,000.

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And the Terry Fox Foundation cheered on the Barrie man in a Twitter post Thursday that read:

“Go Will! We know you’ll make it.”

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But as Dwyner’s health declines, his proud son Robert — who has worked for the Borden Fire Department for 35 years — hopes he and his fellow firefighters can help his dad reach his goal.

“Will’s inspiration and dedication has inspired me to help him achieve his goal of reaching the million. Let’s help Will get to the Mill,” Robert said in a press release.

Robert says his father was inspired to get involved in the Terry Fox Run after losing loved ones to cancer.

“He lost his mother at 51 to cancer and his 21-year-old nephew had the same cancer as Terry Fox,” Robert explained.

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The Base Borden Firefighters along with the Clearview Fire Department’s Pink Fire truck have raised $1,800 from a boot drive held last October.

With the one million mark in sight, both Robert and the firefighters continue to push forward the charitable man’s dream.

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On behalf of Will, they held a 20K walk on Saturday that began the Borden Legacy Park war monument and finished at the Barrie Cenotaph.

A 20K fundraiser walk held on August 24, 2019 by firefighters from CFB Borden support of Will Dwyer’s one million goal. Handout photo by Colleen McCourt.
A 20K fundraiser walk held on August 24, 2019 by firefighters from CFB Borden support of Will Dwyer’s one million goal. Handout photo by Colleen McCourt.

Many members of the fire department wore their full bunker gear, including their SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), for the walk.

“It was better than anticipated, there were people on walkers and firefighters coming from all over the place,” Robert said.

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Among Will’s supporters is Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who took to Twitter on Monday to applaud the veteran’s goal.

“Will Dwyer is 94, a WW2 veteran, almost at his lifetime goal raising funds for @TerryFoxCanada. Good man, please support him if you can,” tweeted Hadfield with a link to the donation page.

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ftexiwala@postmedia.com

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