Events: Terry Fox Run continues to inspire hope
Updated: Sep. 16, 2011
This Sunday (Sept. 18, 2011) marks the 31st annual Terry Fox Run. It’s the first race that Fox’s mother, Betty,
This Sunday (Sept. 18, 2011) marks the 31st annual Terry Fox Run. It’s the first race that Fox’s mother, Betty, will be absent for since her death on June 17 of this year.
Fox was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer and forced to have his right leg amputated above the knee. After seeing the effects of cancer on other patients in hospital, he decided to run across Canada to raise money and awareness. Fox’s Marathon of Hope began on April 12, 1980 in Newfoundland. He ran 40 kilometres a day until the return of cancer forced him to stop just outside of Thunder Bay, Ont. He passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.
While Fox’s personal run lasted 143 days, his legacy has continued. According to the Terry Fox Foundation, over $550 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research through the annual Terry Fox Run.
In honour of the Run this weekend, CBC.ca reports that a new Terry Fox memorial has been unveiled at the newly refurbished Terry Fox Plaza in Vancouver, B.C. Designed by artist and author Douglas Coupland, the memorial features four bronze statues which depict Fox’s westward run.
Join in the Run! There are over 800 sites to choose from. Visit terryfox.org to find a runsite near you.
Are you participating in the Terry Fox Run this Sunday?
Related:
‘ Terry Fox Run celebrates 30 years of hope
‘ News: Remembering Terry Fox
‘ How you can help end cancer
