Thirty years following his death, Terry Fox continues to inspire people suffering from cancer.

On June 28, 1981, one month before his 23 birthday, Fox succumbed to cancer.

But he had already achieved more against the disease during his cross-country Marathon of

Hope than any Canadian before or since, amassing 5,373 kilometres and raising $27.17 million – a dollar for every Canadian at the time – five months after he was forced to end his run, near Thunder Bay, Ont.

To this day, more than $550 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run.

"Every year I always get baffled when I look at the numbers of what this kid was doing on one leg – 143 marathons in a row he ran. That's unbelievable,” Whitehorse run organizer George Maratos said.

Fox's inspiration will reach Whitehorse with the annual Terry Fox Run set to start from the SS Klondike on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The event will include entertainment by musician Kevin Barr and a barbecue, with proceeds going to the cause.

Three hundred and thirty Yukoners came out in droves for last year's run to raise a whopping $9,228, a dramatic jump in numbers from the 2009 run, which attracted 230 participants and raised roughly $6,000.

Maratos attributes that rise in numbers to efforts toward making the run more of an event by offering music and food.

"I'm just thinking of ways to make it more of a community event.”

Maratos first got involved with organizing the event after walking by the SS Klondike a few years back and noticing low numbers.

"To go five times more within a couple years is pretty phenomenal. … It's one of those events, it's not a race, it's more about coming together, remembering someone that passed on or celebrating someone that is going through that battle, remembering the legacy of

Terry Fox, and it's a real family event, community event,” Maratos said.

This year's run will feature guest speaker Sharone Maldaver, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Having local people speak about their experiences with cancer helps put a face to the disease, Maratos said.

"Look at the way Jack Layton's recent passing touched the whole country; and I think it really puts a face and a story to just how devastating this disease can be and how quick it can impact,” he said.

"I think just knowing that there are people within this community that are going through that same journey and dealing with that (helps raise awareness).

"That's the thing, cancer isn't picky, in terms of who it decides to impact, it can happen to anyone, kids, elders, teenagers, your neighbour, your family members – there's not many people you can talk to that haven't been impacted by cancer in some way or another. Having a local face to speak about it, I think it puts a real Yukon emphasis on the disease and the need for support and awareness.”

Maratos believes there is a heightened awareness for this year's run following a couple of tragedies which reached the national stage. Terry Fox's mother, Betty, died in June due to complications from diabetes and arthritis, and NDP leader Jack Layton passed away in August from cancer.

"I think it's on people's radars a bit more,” Maratos said, adding that the first year he organized the event he asked former Yukon NDP leader Todd Hardy to speak.

Last summer, Hardy succumbed to a long battle with leukemia.

"It seems like a long time ago now, and we obviously know the impact he had on the territory, the impact his passing had on the territory,” Maratos said.

"Obviously you want to remember Terry Fox and the legacy, and you want to remember folks like Jack Layton, but it's important to recognize people within our community too that are going through the same battle.”

The run is not a race, Maratos noted, and all are welcome to either run, walk, rollerblade, bike, skateboard, longboard, rollerskate, hop scotch or even come hang out.

There is no registration fee for the run, though organizers ask people to make a donation, if possible.

"And if not, come together and remember a friend or a family member that is dealing with this or has passed on,” Maratos said.

"It's not about the run, it's about the awareness, and obviously raising money. That's why barbecue and the music is nice with this event, because you don't necessarily have to go along the Millennium Trail. If you got a sprained ankle, you're not feeling fit enough, something's preventing you from doing it, just come on down and listen to some music, make a donation.”