Terry Fox

Terry Fox is a famous Canadian hero. I chose Terry Fox to be my hero because he is a brave hero who attempted to run across Canada. I also choose Terry Fox because he cares about others and not just himself. Terry Fox ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Terry got people to realize that they had to start doing something for cancer research. Terry also helped people realize that they had to think about others and not just themselves.

Terry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 28, 1958. Later, his family moved to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. As Terry got older, he became more athletic and joined some sports teams. When Terry was 18 years old he had osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer). He was forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres above his knee in 1977.

While in the hospital, Terry decided to run across Canada for cancer research. He called his journey the "Marathon of Hope." Terry tried for 18 months and ran over 5000 km. He started on April 12, 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He ran 42 km a day.

However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5373 km, Terry was forced to stop running outside Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981. He was 22, one month shy of his 23rd birthday. The Marathon of Hope raised $24.17 million for cancer research.

Terry Fox is a brave Canadian hero who ran across Canada for cancer research. He became famous in Canada as well as around the world. Terry always had a positive attitude. In honour of Terry Fox Canada is making a two dollar coin with his picture on it.