Terrance Fox made the world a better place. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancer that originates near the knee, he was determined to make the world aware of this cancer and to raise money for cancer research. Terry had been active in his younger years, and loved physical activities. He was in a car wreck in 1976, while at University; he could never shake the leg pain. He thought the pain was a resulted from the car accident. His diagnosis resulted in the amputation of his leg. He was also told he had less than a 50% chance of survival. He was then determined to make the world aware of his condition. He was up and moving three weeks after his amputation. He then joined a wheelchair basketball league. During this time, he had read an article about a New York Marathon racer who was an amputee, Dick Traum. Terry decided that if he could run the length of Canada, he could make people aware of cancer and the need for cancer research. He informed the Canadian Cancer Society of his idea via letter in 1979. He then approached large businesses for sponsorship. The race was on.
His race began on August 12. He encountered horrific weather conditions such as wind, snowstorms, hail, and at first poor turnouts for his stops. However, as he continued, word of his adventure began to spread. When he arrived in Montreal, the total raised was well over $ 205,000.00. He continued on passing by locations where famous people came out to meet him such as the Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. When he arrived in Toronto, it was estimated on the one day he raised over $ 100,000.00. He continued on, but his body began to grow weak and he could not finish the event. The estimates are that he made 1.7 million dollars for cancer research by the time he stopped running. Other events that sprung off from his Marathon of Hope raised tens of millions of dollars. Unfortunately, he had to be readmitted to the hospital as the disease had spread throughout this body. He passed away on June 28, 1981.
Terry Fox was a hero. He made people aware of cancer, he amazed people with his tenacity and spirit, and he raised millions and millions of dollars for cancer research.