Who's Terry Fox?

Today my children and I joined schoolchildren across Canada in the annual Terry Fox Run. We bring money to the school that will be donated to the cause of finding a cure for cancer, and we run a short jog in honour of our favourite hero. I logged this run on Daily Mile, where I share most of my workouts with other runner friends. Usually my friends make encouraging comments about each other’s running, and this time someone added “Who’s Terry Fox?”

I forgive this friend for not knowing the awe inspiring story of Terry and his Marathon of Hope because said friend is American and hasn’t grown up learning about Terry’s heroics. But I do hope someday Terry Fox will be a household name throughout the world, not just in Canada.

Terry Fox, a young man who battled cancer and lost his leg in the 70’s, was inspired to run a marathon on his artificial limb. While training for the race, he secretly devised a plan to run across the country raising money and awareness for cancer.

“I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.” - Terry Fox

At first his goal was to raise a million dollars for the cure. But soon Terry hoped to raise one dollar for each of Canada's 24 million people. He was saddened and frustrated by how little money there was being put towards research and medical help for victims of cancer in the era. He began what he called the Marathon of Hope by running one marathon per day continuously across Canada.

“If you’ve given a dollar, you are part of the Marathon of Hope .” -Terry Fox

Terry ran rain or shine, with cheering crowds or completely alone for 143 days, completing 5,373 km before he finally had to stop due to health complications. Because of his amputation, Terry suffered constant pain in his stump while running. Abrasions, cysts, shin splints, ankle tendonitis, he took them all in stride and refused to stop or to seek medical attention, stating that he’d seen people in “real pain” and that they could not turn it off to rest. Except for the media appearances and public speeches, Terry spent his time running, eating and sleeping in a van along the route. Hardly glamorous, yet he had set high goals and worked toward them until he literally could not take another step.

After collapsing with chest pains and shortness of breath during his run one day, it was found that Terry’s cancer had spread to his lungs. He could not finish his marathon across our continent because he died a year after he began his journey. And every year Canadians gather to honour Terry’s memory and to help him finish his goal. Across Canada we run together, we raise money for the cure, and we remember his unbreakable spirit.

I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try. - Terry Fox