Terry Fox

Terry Fox in the Marathon of Hope

Although a lot has already been written about Terry Fox, when I was asked to write about a hero he was the first person that came to my mind.

For those of you who don't know about Terry Fox he was born in Winnepeg, Manitoba and was raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer and had to have his right leg amputated above his knee in 1977. Seeing all the poor kids with cancer Terry decided to raise money for cancer research. He called his journey the Marathon of Hope.

Terry started his run in St. John's Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little attention. He ran 42 kilometres a day and after a while the money that was collected grew as did the attention. On September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres Terry was forced to stop running because they found cancer in his lungs. Terry died on June 28, 1981 at age 22.

I think Terry Fox is a hero because the money he raised has saved so many people from dying from cancer. I think it was a miracle that he was able to run across the country with an artificial leg even though the stump often bled. Terry Fox was a very giving and courageous person and that is why I have chosen him as my hero.