A single artificial leg allowed Terry Fox to traverse Canada, covering the equivalent of a full marathon every day during his 1980 Marathon of Hope. Driven by the desire to secure one dollar from every citizen, he aimed to transform the landscape of cancer research funding and awareness after his own diagnosis with osteosarcoma.
Early Athletic Pursuit
Born in Winnipeg in 1958, Fox moved to Port Coquitlam as a child. He developed a competitive spirit through high school basketball, later attending Simon Fraser University to study kinesiology. His initial goal was to become a physical education teacher, but his path shifted following a 1976 automobile accident that resulted in an injury to his right knee. Medical examinations in 1977 revealed osteosarcoma, leading to an amputation above the knee.
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Following his surgery and sixteen months of chemotherapy, Fox began walking on an artificial limb within weeks. He quickly re-engaged with athletics, joining a wheelchair basketball team in Vancouver. His aptitude for the sport led to three national championship victories and recognition as an all-star by the North American Wheelchair Basketball Association in 1980.
The Marathon of Hope
Inspired by marathon runner Dick Traum, Fox committed to a grueling training regimen to run across Canada. Starting in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in April 1980, he endured significant physical pain while navigating the road with an irregular hop-step gait. He traveled through various provinces, generating public attention and raising funds for research. He was forced to abandon the effort near Thunder Bay, Ontario, after the cancer metastasized to his lungs.
Legacy and Impact
Fox died on June 28, 1981, in New Westminster and was buried in Port Coquitlam. His commitment resulted in widespread recognition, including the Companion of the Order of Canada and the Northern Star Award in 1980. The annual Terry Fox Run has since expanded globally, and his name is commemorated through numerous Canadian institutions, including the Terry Fox Research Institute and the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1958, Winnipeg
- Died: 1981, New Westminster
- Education: Simon Fraser University
- Primary Sport: Basketball
- Major Initiative: Marathon of Hope
- Burial Site: Port Coquitlam
- Companion of the Order of Canada: 1980
- Person of National Historic Significance: 2008
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Marathon of Hope?
The run aimed to increase awareness for cancer research and raise one dollar from every Canadian citizen.
Why did Terry Fox choose to run on an artificial leg?
Following his 1977 leg amputation, Fox was inspired by an article about an amputee completing the New York City Marathon to test his own physical limits for a cause.
Achievements
- Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
- Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
- British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame
- Order of the Dogwood
- Companion of the Order of Canada
