A True Canadian Hero

TERRY FOX
July 28, 1958 - June 28, 1981

Terry Fox dipped his foot in the Atlantic Ocean off the shores of St. John's, Newfoundland, 20 years ago on April 12, 1980. Having lost his right leg to cancer 3 years earlier, he planned on running from St. John's to Victoria, B.C. to raise money for cancer research. He called it a Marathon of Hope.

His run was cut short in Thunder Bay on September 1, 1980 when he collapsed and had to be rushed to hospital. He died less than a year later on June 28, 1981.

Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto,
July 1980

When I first heard that Terry Fox had died I was with one of my best friends in high school, Mary Lou. We were both only 16 and we had both loved him; everyone did. We sat around crying and drinking wine, wondering why someone so brave, so herioc, had to die so young. It was one of the saddest days of our young lives.

Every Canadian can tell you who Terry Fox was and most can tell you what they were doing on the day he died.

RUN TERRY RUN!

Terry's dream of a cure for cancer was not realized in his lifetime but his Marathon of Hope continues. It has inspired millions of people to raise millions of dollars for cancer research over the past 20 years.

To donate money to cancer research or participate in the 20th anniversary run (to take place in September, 2000) click on the picture to your right.