How a young man with an artificial leg attempted to run across an entire nation.
In short: After losing his leg to cancer, Terry Fox launched the Marathon of Hope to fund research. He aimed to run the length of Canada, covering a marathon distance daily on a prosthetic limb. His journey transformed from a quiet personal mission into a national movement that surpassed all financial expectations.
In 1977, while studying at Simon Fraser University, Terry Fox received a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, leading to the amputation of his right leg. During his treatment, he witnessed other patients suffering, which fueled his frustration over the limited funding allocated to cancer research. Inspired by the story of an amputee who finished the New York City Marathon, Fox began a rigorous training regimen. He eventually conceived a plan to run across Canada, a goal he initially shared only with his friend Douglas Alward.
Fox began his Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on April 12, 1980. His running style was unique and physically demanding; because his artificial leg required time to reset, he utilized a hop-step motion. This placed immense pressure on his body, causing blisters and bone bruises. Despite the pain, he consistently covered up to 30 miles per day. While the run started with little fanfare, his persistence eventually captured the nation's attention, leading to widespread support from the public and political figures.
The journey ended abruptly on September 1, 1980, near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when chest pains revealed that his cancer had metastasized to his lungs. By then, he had completed 3,339 miles. Although he could not finish the run, his efforts had already raised $1.7 million. By early 1981, donations exceeded his original goal of $24 million—one dollar for every Canadian citizen at the time. Fox passed away on June 28, 1981, but his legacy persists through annual runs held globally to continue the fight against the disease.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Terry Fox | Biography, Marathon of Hope, & Facts | Britannica
- Also: Terry Fox
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