'Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me.'
Terry Fox
If you're a Canadian, and even if you're not, you've probably heard of Terry Fox. I thought it overdue to pay tribute to this iconic Canadian hero. Born in Winnipeg, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia was always involved in sports. At just 18 however, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer). In 1977, he was forced to have his reg light amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee.
While recovering in the hospital, Fox was more focused on the suffering of others than his own pain and physical struggles. It was through his connection to other cancer patients, especially the children, that motivated him to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. His journey was called the Marathon of Hope and it took Terry close to two years to train and prepare.
He began Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although he didn't garner much attention in the beginning, enthusiasm and excitement quickly began to grown. Money began to pour in as Fox ran close to 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. Sadly, Terry had to stop running in September after cancer appeared in his lungs. By this time, his journey was being closely followed by most Canadians.
Terry died on June 28th, 1981 at the age of 22. Although a hero was gone, his legacy lives on. All across the Canada, and 30 other countries, the Terry Fox run has became an annual event and is still going strong today. In the United States, there are runs in Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and in Central Park in New York.
I am a bit young to remember Terry' original run, but I remember being in school as a kid when someone tried to organize a run at our school. Most of us didn't know much about his life, so our teacher planned a class focused on Terry and the history of the un. His journey and his spirit captured the heart of so many who continue to support his run each year. To date, the Terry Fox run has raised over $900 million for cancer research. 45 year later, Terry is still remembered and set to become the new face on the Canadian five dollar bill.
Above & Below: Terry Fox and 10-year old Greg Scott near Terrace Bay, Ontario on August 27th, 1980. The young boy, who also lost a leg to bone cancer, followed Fox on his bike for 6 miles. Terry would later write that this would be the most inspirational day of his Marathon of Hope.
The two would take time together swimming in Jackfish Lake before Terry Fox headed back on the road the following day. Greg Scott of Welland, Ontario would pass away one month after Fox
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