Legacy and loss at forefront of 42nd Terry Fox Run in London, Ont.

Heidi Kokott may be missing from the crowd at London, Ont.'s Terry Fox Run for the first time in more than 20 years — but her spirit and legacy were there. 

A team of friends, family and former colleagues joined the walk to honour her life after the devoted Terry Fox fundraiser died of cancer, the disease she dedicated her life to fighting against, in May.

"I can picture her looking down and being proud," said Kokott's sister Martha Berze. "From about March of every year all we heard Heidi talk about was Terry Fox." 

More than 300 people took to the trails by foot, scooter, bike and stroller Sunday morning in London's Springbank Gardens carrying the legacy of Terry Fox in the annual run's 42nd year. Runners, walkers and rollers in London fundraised about $200,000 as of Sunday afternoon, marking one of its most successful years, organizers said. 

A team of eight wearing bright blue 'walking for Heidi' shirts were there to walk on Kokott's behalf and present a financial gift left in her will for the Terry Fox Foundation, Berze said. 

Kokott died at 71 after working in a regional cancer program for more than 25 years. She was diagnosed a year ago with a rare type of cancer called leiomyosarcoygma, said Berze. 

She's remembered for her love of hats, dressing up as Queen Victoria for events and her "giving heart," Berze said. 

Peter Ferguson was first recruited to join the Terry Fox London organizing team by Kokott. Through his work in cancer research, he's seen the difference it makes. 

"The survival rate of pretty well every cancer has really improved over the last 25 to 40 years since Terry," Ferguson said. "Cancer Research has really improved survival of so many different cancers."

He's excited to celebrate a belated 40th