The Terry Fox Run celebrates the trans-Canadian run by Terrence Stanley Fox in 1980. This event, known as the Marathon of Hope, takes place every year on an international scale with the objective of raising funds for cancer research.
The History of a Man
Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Canada in 1958. During his youth, he quickly became an accomplished athlete, demonstrating absolute determination. After starting his university studies, something was about to flip his world upside down. In fact, at the age of 18, Terry Fox was involved a car accident. Although his car was a complete loss, Terry didn’t seem to really suffer any injuries except for a small pain in his right knee. The pain though, seemed to intensify with every passing month. Doctors diagnosed Terry with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that more often than not, starts in the knee and spreads to the muscles and tendons. The only option for this avid athlete was an amputation just above the knee. With a broken dream, he started walking again quickly and decided to start his project.
A Dream of Hope
Three years after the amputation, Terrence Fox had the idea to cross Canada, from one ocean to the other with the objective of raising funds for cancer research. He had the hope of collecting 1 dollar per Canadian citizen for this cause.
His journey began on the 12th of April, 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. To mark the occasion, Fox dipped his prosthetic leg in the Atlantic Ocean. This gesture marked the starting point of a dream that would conclude in the Pacific Ocean upon his arrival at the most western point of British Columbia. His goal was to run 42 kilometres a day, performing 1 marathon per day.
When he arrived in Ontario, the Fox started to experience lung issues. The doctors discovered a new tumour, which forced Terry to stop the journey after 143 days and having run more than 5,000 kilometres. Terry Fox became a household name as a result his accomplishment and managed to raise more than 22 million dollars for cancer research. He passed away, 1 year later, leaving behind him, the dream of hope.
The Marathon of Hope
Sunday, September 16, 2018, was national Terry Fox Day, recognized throughout Canada. To mark the occasion, everyone is welcome to take part in the race. The race is not a competition, everyone can go at their own pace. The objective is not only to demonstrate support for cancer research but also to highlight the determination of a man who knew how to overcome an obstacle in his life, facing a challenge that provided hope to others.
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