45: Terry Fox

 

45 years ago today (April 12, 1980) Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope across Canada.

Terrance Stanley Fox (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981) was a Canadian Athlete, Humanitarian, and Cancer Research Activist.

In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to Cancer, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research.

Although the spread of his Cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3,339 miles) – running through Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario, and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.

The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of Participants in over 60 Countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for Cancer Research; over C$850 million has been raised in his name as of September 2022.