It鈥檚 been a few years since Mattias Schmitt last participated in a Terry Fox Run.

The 26-year-old Trinity Western University grad recalls doing the annual run in school, but hasn鈥檛 taken part in the cancer fundraiser since.

But this year, everything has changed.

After watching three people close to him battle the disease 鈥� including his girlfriend鈥檚 mom, his sister鈥檚 20-year-old boyfriend and his grandfather, who passed away from kidney cancer a few months ago 鈥� it was a no-brainer for him to sign up.

Schmitt, along with his girlfriend, Rachel Urquhart, have organized a corporate team in this year鈥檚 91原创 City Terry Fox Run through his employer, Toyota.

The team of six will join dozens of others this Sunday, Sept. 17, at Douglas Park, on a 1 km, 5 km or 10 km route through 91原创 City鈥檚 parks and trails.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just crazy how three different people that I鈥檝e known have just had it in the last three months and just the different stages of life they鈥檙e in,鈥� said Schmitt, who does digital marketing for the vehicle retailer.

鈥淢y sister鈥檚 boyfriend is really young and he鈥檚 a high level athlete and it鈥檚 just scary. They say good health is what鈥檚 preventing it, but really it can happen at any time.鈥�

There is no minimum donation required to participate in the event, and runners can sign up the morning of at 9 a.m. The run will begin at 10 a.m.

All funds raised will go to the Terry Fox Foundation, which send 82 cents of every dollar donated directly to cancer research.

There are also two other runs taking place in the 91原创s on Sunday. The Aldergrove run leaves the Kinsmen Centre at 9 a.m. and the Walnut Grove run begins at the Walnut Grove Community Centre at 9 a.m.

RELATED:

鈥淔or me it鈥檚 just showing that support,鈥� Schmitt said of participating in the run. 鈥淚 like to be active, so this is something I鈥檓 in to, running, and something I get to enjoy as well as show my support.鈥�

For more information on the Terry Fox Run, including advance registration and cancer-survivor registration, please visit .