Terry Fox – Canadian Hero

Terry Fox is a Canadian icon. Diagnosed with bone cancer at age 18, he had to have his right leg amputated above the knee in 1977. While receiving treatment and recovering in the hospital, he witnessed cancer patients, including many children, not survive their diagnosis and treatments. He was determined to help and so the Marathon of Hope was born. His goal was to run across Canada, as a cancer survivor and amputee, and raise money for cancer research.

He started training and on April 12, 1980, set off from St. John’s, Newfoundland. He ran over 40 km a day, through varying weather conditions. Unfortunately, by the time he reached Northern Ontario, he fell sick again. On September 1, 1980, he was forced to stop running. Cancer had spread to his lungs. He vowed to continue someday, but that day would never come. Terry Fox passed away on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22.

Every year in September, the Terry Fox Run is held to raise money for cancer research. To date, over $750 million has been raised.

The Terry Fox – Running to the Heart of Canada exhibit is currently on display at Telus World of Science Edmonton. The exhibit will be here until early September 2018.