A custom-made cart he used to push daughter Emily through the fundraising course for more than 30 years was empty but for a white rose tied to the handle with a pink ribbon.

Emily, who had cerebral palsy and was unable to walk, made the Terry Fox event an annual tradition with her dad. She died of cancer in April at age 40.

"I was thinking we'd get another 50 years of it," said Eaton of the cart, which he pushed 10 kilometres on Sunday in honour of his daughter. "That didn't happen."

It was a poignant gesture at an event where almost everyone had a story - about the loss of a loved one or acquaintance to cancer.

The entrance to the Steve Brown Sports Complex, where Brantford's event was held, was lined on Sunday with handwritten tributes to grandparents, parents, children and friends lost to the disease.