Today marks the 30th Terry Fox Run, the annual event in memory of one of Canada's greatest heroes. Born in Winnipeg but raised in Port Coquitlam no more than a few blocks away from our house, Terry Fox was an athletic young man who was afflicted with cancer. At the time that he was enrolling in University, osteosarcoma took his right leg, which had to be amputated.
Terry Fox learned to run using an artificial leg, and vowed to run across Canada from coast to coast to raise money for a cure for cancer. His goal was to recieve a dollar from every Canadian. Tragically, the cancer was too much for him, and he died before completing his heroic run.
After his death, a foundation began to raise money in Terry's name. The flagship event of the foundation is the annual Terry Fox Run, which occurs worldwide on this Sunday. In the thirty years since Terry Fox passed away, it is estimated that his foundation has earned over $500 million dollars towards the cure for cancer. Today, it is recognized that many cancers that used to be considered incurable now have some mode of treatment. Even Terry's osteosarcoma is now treatable.
This is a picture I took some time ago of the Terry Fox statue in front of the Port Coquitlam Public Library. I don't know who rendered the sculpture, but it makes for a powerful picture.
I took this shot of the Terry Fox memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland. In behind is the Atlantic Ocean, where Terry dipped his foot into the water to begin his run. What you cannot see is the mountainous, tortuous climb for the miles that Terry had to endure just to get out of the harbour.
The inscription reads:
"This slate marks the spot where one man's dream began and a nation's hope lives on.
Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Mile 0
Started April 12, 1980
Ended September 1, 1980, after 3,339 miles, just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario (5,373 kilometers)
His run continues always in our nation's soul."
Lastly, here is a picture of my wife and I posing with the recently restored 1980 Ford Econoline "Funcraft" van that was the support vehicle for Terry's run. Words cannot describe how powerful it was to look inside that van, knowing that this was where Terry Fox ate, slept, fought, cried, and laughed along the harrowing journey of his Marathon of Hope. Every night he would hunker down in this van, wounded yet determined. Every day it was his departure point for another gruelling run.
I didn't take this picture, of course, so I can't take photo credit. I'm pretty sure it was Terry's brother Fred who snapped the shutter. The Fox family are certainly well-known in Port Coquitlam, as they are tireless and enthusiastic fundraisers for Terry's cause. I think that Terry would have been very proud of his family's continued support, as well as that of our great nation.
Posts
