Who Is Terry Fox?

Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

As a child, Terry loved playing sports. He played on many of his school’s sports
teams.
 Diagnosis
At eighteen years old, Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer in his
right knee.
 Diagnosis

He saw many doctors and had many

treatments.

The cancer was aggressive and he

ended up having his right leg amputated
above the knee.
 The Marathon of Hope

Terry was determined to do something

that would help other people who had
cancer.

Inspired by Dick Traum, the first

amputee to complete the New York City
Marathon, Terry embarked on a 14-
month training program.
 The Marathon of Hope

On April 12th, 1980, the marathon began.

Terry told his family he was running a

marathon for himself. But, he told his
best friend Douglas Alward, he was
angered at how little money was
available for cancer research and he
wanted to run to bring awareness to
cancer.
 The Marathon of Hope
Terry began The Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980. He dipped his right leg in
the Atlantic Ocean close to St. Johns, Newfoundland. He also filled two bottles
with ocean water. He wanted to keep one as a memorabilia and pour the other one
into the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver when his marathon ended.

1
The Marathon of Hope
His friend Doug Alward supported him
throughout his journey, driving the van close
by him and cooking meals.
As Terry ran across Canada, he often had
supporters and fans join him on parts of his
journey. Donations were made as he entered
some towns. When he arrived in Channel-Port
aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, the
town’s 10,000 residents gifted him $10,000. He
was met in Toronto by a crowd of 10,000
people. Many corporations, like hotel groups,
began to donate large sums of money or
pledges as well.
 The Marathon of Hope
Terry looked very unusual while running. He ran with a bit of a hop-step. His
artificial leg had springs in it that required a reset after each step.

Where his leg had been amputated was often very painful and bruised.
 The Marathon of Hope
On September 1st, Terry reached Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Terry refused to take breaks, even on his 22nd birthday. He refused regular check-
ups as well.

He had not been feeling well for some time, but had pushed through the pain.
Despite his perseverance, by late August, Terry found he was exhausted before
he had even started running.
 The Marathon of Hope
Just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1st, Terry was experiencing
chest pain and had coughing fits. He continued to run because the crowds were
cheering him on. However, a few miles later he asked Alward to drive him to the
hospital.

The next day, Terry announced in a press conference that the cancer had returned
and how it now spread to his lungs. He had ran for 143 days straight.
 Terry’s Legacy
Terry hoped he would get the chance to one day finish his marathon.

Unfortunately, Terry passed away on June 28th, 1981.

 Terry’s Legacy
Even though Terry is gone, the Marathon of Hope still goes on.

Schools across Canada have a Terry Fox run once a year.

 Terry’s Legacy
Today, Terry Fox is known as an athlete, a humanitarian and a cancer research
activist.

More than $500 million has been raised in Terry’s name.