Terry Fox Foundation made up names in fundraising stories
Posted September 14, 2011 7:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Terry Fox’s story has inspired millions of people around the world to help in the fight against cancer. But you might not know the story of Rodney from Saskatoon or James from Yorkton and their efforts. That’s because they’re made up.
A former employee of the Terry Fox Foundation in Saskatchewan says he was forced to fabricate fundraising stories in a booklet for donors. Gregory Procknow quit his summer job, saying he was asked to do a series of short stories about creative ways donors had made money.
There was “Norma Rae” who canned jellies and jams and put Terry Fox stickers on them, suggesting people to leave donations and take away a lovely autumn treat. Fictitious “James from Yorkton” quit smoking and turned his smoke-free days into a fundraiser, while “Rodney” held private auctions for things like dates with bachelorettes.
The head of the Saskatchewan office says the ideas are based on real events and it was an error in judgement to attach fake names to them.
The annual Terry Fox Run is this Sunday.
New Terry Fox memorial
Meanwhile, the new Terry Fox memorial at BC Place will be unveilled on Friday morning at 10 o’clock.
The old one had to be ripped down because of the half-billion-dollar renovation project, which is slated to be done at the end of the month.
The new memorial has been designed by Vancouver artist and author Douglas Copeland.
