Terry Fox of Port
Coquitlam, British Columbia, was 22 when he undertook a strenuous
trans-Canadian “Marathon of Hope” to raise funds for cancer research. What made
his run so special was that in 1977, after it was discovered that he had a rare
form of bone cancer, most of one leg had to be amputated. It was while
recovering that he got the idea for the marathon. After months of training, he
began his run at St. John’s, British Columbia on April 2, 1980. He ended it on
September 1, 1980, in Thunder Bay, Ontario. At first, his story was given a few
lines on the back pages of Canadian newspapers. By the time he finished, he had
inspired millions of people all over the world, helping to raise $24.7 million
for research in the process. A movie was produced on his story, and I remember
one specific line that had inspired me personally. When some people were making
fun of him on the road, Terry was thinking of giving up the marathon, and his
coach, played by Robert Duvall took him aside and told him, “Terry, you’re
doing this for the millions who believe in you, not for the few jerks who
don’t!” Terry’s role was played by Eric Fryer, himself an amputee. Although he
was dying, Terry Fox found the strength to do something positive. Alive with
hope, he made his last year on earth a meaningful and exciting adventure. He
died a national hero on June 28, 1981. The name of the movie was “The Terry Fox Story” and the sub-title was ‘he made an entire nation stand up and cheer.’
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