Snapshots in History: July 28: Remembering Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope

On July 28 and beyond, take a moment to remember Terrance Stanley “Terry” Fox (Born: July 28, 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Died: June 28, 1981 in New Westminster, British Columbia), a bone cancer survivor who inspired a nation with his Marathon of Hope running across Canada on a prosthetic leg and a human leg to raise money for cancer research, only to halt his journey after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres on September 1, 1980 just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario as cancer emerged in his lungs. Terry Fox was determined to finish his run across Canada but his health and cancer treatments would not allow that to happen. However, Terry Fox did live to see his cancer research fundraising goal of $1 per Canadian achieved by February 1, 1981 with some $24 million raised for cancer research. In 1980, Terry Fox became a Companion of the Order of Canada and received the Order of the Dogwood (now the Order of British Columbia).

Terry Fox ranked second to Tommy Douglas on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) program The Greatest Canadian in 2004. His grit and determination inspired fellow cancer survivor Steve Fonyo (with one leg amputated like Terry Fox) whose Journey for Lives run resulted in 7924 kilometres run from St. John’s, Newfoundland (beginning on March 31, 1984) to Victoria, British Columbia (concluding on May 29, 1985) with approximately $13 million raised for cancer research. Rick Hansen was a friend of Terry Fox and is well-known for his own Man in Motion world tour in a wheelchair between March 21, 1985 and May 22, 1987 that raised some $20 million towards spinal cord research, rehabilitation, and wheelchair sports.

The annual Terry Fox Run owes its origin to the support of Isadore Sharp, owner of the Four Seasons Hotel, who having lost a son to cancer, donated money to the Marathon of Hope, offered Terry Fox and his travelling companions free accommodation at Sharp’s hotels, and challenged other businesses to support cancer research fundraising. Sharp proposed a fall annual fundraising run in Terry Fox’s name; Terry Fox supported the idea provided that the run be non-competitive in nature with the choice of running, walking, or riding a bicycle. The Canadian Cancer Society was initially unsupportive to the idea, fearing that it would take away from spring fundraising initiatives. Opposition melted away after the first Terry Fox Run raised $3.5 million on September 13, 1981. Schools joined in with a National School Run Day, and the Terry Fox Run has become an annual international event with participation in many countries.

Consider the following titles for borrowing from Toronto Public Library collections:

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