Terry Fox

(TerryFox.com)

My hero is Terry Fox because he stood up for what he believed in. No one could bring Terry down.

Terry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As Terry was growing up, he was very active. Terry played many sports. When Terry was in high school, he was on the basketball team. That’s when Terry started to get pains in his right leg. The pains got worse and worse every day. So Terry went to go see the doctor. The doctor told Terry that he had developed bone cancer in his right leg. Terry had to get his right leg amputated six inches above the knee.

Terry Fox realized how little money there was in cancer research. Terry said, “I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.” When Terry decided to run across Canada, he had to train for eighteen months. He ran over three thousand miles preparing for his run which he would call, the Marathon of Hope.

Terry Fox starting his run (terry fox.com)

On April 12, 1980, Terry started running in St. Johns, Newfoundland. He said, “I’m not doing the run to become rich or famous.” At first, there were very few fans but as he went on, he became more popular. Terry was on the news and in the newspaper. As Terry ran through towns and cities, people started to give him money for cancer research. Everyday Terry ran about 26 miles. When Terry began to feel pains in his chest, it didn’t discourage Terry from running the Marathon of Hope. Terry felt he should continue running for the sake of the kids in the hospital. On September 1, 1980 Terry learned that his cancer was now in his lungs. Eventually, Terry could not stand the pain and he had to end the Marathon of Hope just outside of Thunder Bay. A statue of Terry Fox now stands where Terry had to stop his run.

After Terry stopped running, he had many interviews and said a few speeches. Terry said, “I don’t feel that this is unfair. That’s the thing about cancer. I’m not the only one, it happens all the time to people. I’m not special. This just intensifies what I did. It gives it more meaning. It’ll inspire more people. I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try.”

When Terry passed away on June 28, 1981, it was a sad day for everyone in the world. Terry had a very painful death. When Terry died, my Grandma was also battling cancer. My mom remembers how heartbreaking it was when they heard that Terry had died. Everyone was cheering for him on his journey and they wanted to see him finish his run across Canada. He made people feel that nothing was impossible and that he would beat cancer with his amazing strength. He was HOPE!

Terry Fox supporter button (Terryfox.com)

Terry Fox is my inspiration when I am doing my cross country running. I know how much energy and commitment it takes to run. It must have been extremely hard for Terry to run with an artificial leg and with bone cancer. I now understand what running meant to Terry and what he did for everybody that has any kind of illness especially cancer.

Today we still walk or run for Terry and cancer research. Terry has raised over 300 million dollars and today we are still raising money for him. Terry is my hero because he didn’t stop running even though his life was at risk. Terry ran for us, he ran for everyone!!