Mr. Speaker, all Canadians are familiar with Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. Fewer are familiar with the person who coined the phrase Marathon of Hope and who helped convince the Canadian Cancer Society to take a chance on this young man's dream.
Ron Calhoun from London was that person. Even after Terry's untimely death, Ron worked to ensure Terry's goal was realized.
Ron's love for community and sense of duty motivated him to support big causes that could make a real difference. He developed the Ladies’ Great Ride for cancer and nurtured it as the initiative went global.
In the 1990s, Ron volunteered again, this time for Jesse's Journey, supporting John and Jesse Davidson in their wheelchair trek across Ontario, and later John's cross-Canada walk to raise funds to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Ron passed away earlier this month at the age of 86, but his continual commitment to make life better for people should never be forgotten.
I extend my sincere condolences to Ron's family and many friends across Canada.