The Terry Fox story

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.’