VICTORIA – The B.C. government is preparing to declare the second Sunday of September Terry Fox Day, recognizing the annual Marathon of Hope events around the world that raise money for cancer research.

Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer presented a private member’s bill Thursday to recognize the day the annual runs have been held since 1980, when Fox embarked on a cross-country run that was cut short by a relapse of cancer.

As a student at Simon Fraser University, Reimer recalled seeing Fox run around the campus quadrangle and wondering what he was training for.

“It honours a great man whose combination of strength, passion, idealism and sheer guts led to the impossible notion that he would run across Canada on one good leg and a prosthesis, the equivalent of a marathon a day,” Reimer told the legislature.

Premier Christy Clark said Reimer’s bill is expected to pass with unanimous support next week. She met with Terry’s father Rolly, sister Judith and brothers Darrell and Fred in her office Thursday to speak to reporters.

Darrell Fox said the declaration will encourage volunteers who organize Terry Fox runs, who have raised $650 million in the past 34 years.

“That’s why we’re so excited, because it gives them something to look forward to, to promote next year, and the fact that it has happened here in B.C.,” he said. “Terry Fox is everywhere, across this country and around the world, but he was from Port Coquitlam.”