Dear Bruce Wark,
I must disagree with your negative portrayal of the Terry Fox Run and of cancer research in general ("An ounce of prevention" September 29). For your information, cancer treatment has improved greatly as a result of research. Survival rates are much higher for many cancer types, and treatments are often less invasive. With today's cancer treatments, Terry Fox likely would not have lost his leg. Yes, more people are getting cancer, and it's true some man-made pollutants cause cancer. Furthermore, I don't doubt the government could play a stronger role in regulating potentially harmful agents. But that does not mean we should stop trying to treat those that get sick. As for the Terry Fox foundation, it's a lean, focused charity staffed by great people. Only 3 percent of the funds raised go to administration, and they take little corporate sponsorship. If you'd been at the run, you may have been shocked by the absence of corporate logos. Perhaps next year you'll be a runner, instead of an armchair cynic.
By Jeremy Bernard
