Terry Fox
(1958-1981)

Canadian Athlete, Humanitarian, Cancer-Treatment Advocate

birthdate: July 28
birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, cancer treatment activist, humanitarian, and one of Canada's greatest heroes of the 20th century. When he was 18 years old he was diagnosed with bone cancer and had his right leg amputated. While in the hospital, he was deeply moved by the suffering of the other children with cancer and decided to help raise awareness and money for cancer research by running a Marathon of Hope across Canada. With a prosthetic leg, he began 18 months of training before beginning his run on April 12, 1980 in St. John's Newfoundland. At first not many paid attention to his efforts, but as he ran 26 miles a day across Canada, more and more Canadians became inspired and donations came pouring in. After 143 days and 3,339 miles Terry had to stop running when the cancer had spread to his lungs. He died on June 28, 1980 and the entire nation was shocked. Terry Fox's legacy continues as each September people all around the world participate in the Terry Fox Run, and to date, more than 400 million has been raised for cancer research in his name.