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Column: Continuing the Terry Fox Run

When I was a student, I always enjoyed participating in my schools’ Terry Fox Run events. I was a good runner and liked the opportunity to get out of the classroom, stretch my legs and burn off some energy in the crisp fall air.

When I was a student, I always enjoyed participating in my schools’ Terry Fox Run events. I was a strong runner and liked the opportunity to get out of the classroom, stretch my legs and burn off some energy in the crisp fall air.

I also appreciated the reason we were running. I consider Terry Fox one of my – and Canada’s – biggest heroes. He’s an example of someone who took a devastating personal situation and turned it into a tremendous positive, with national and international impacts. He’s an inspiring role model for everyone.

While his legacy is well documented, here’s a brief recap. At the age of 18, Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right knee and ultimately had to have his leg amputated below the thigh.

Following therapy and extensive rehabilitation, he decided to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. He said his goal was to raise $24 million – the equivalent of $1 from every Canadian.

Unfortunately, Fox was unable to complete his “Marathon of Hope.” After running the equivalent of a marathon a day for nearly five months, on Sept. 1, 1980, the 21-year-old was forced to stop running as he approached Thunder Bay, Ont., due to a pain in his chest. Tests revealed his cancer had spread to his lungs and he had to stop. At that point, he had run more than 5,300 kilometres.

Though he vowed he would attempt to resume the run when he was healthy, Fox ultimately died from cancer June 28, 1981, shortly before turning 23.

While the Marathon of Hope was not finished, Canadians have taken up Fox’s running spirit and his fundraising dream with annual fervour. Every September, schools and communities across the country organize charity runs to memorialize Fox and raise funds to support finding a cure for cancer.

In the last 40 years, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised roughly $800 million towards cancer research. That’s a staggering amount, and the research supported by that funding over the years has no doubt contributed to survival rates increasing for many forms of cancer.

Like most Canadians, I know people who have been diagnosed with cancer. It’s an icy feeling of fear that twists your stomach when you learn a friend or family member has contracted the disease. Anyone who goes through a battle with cancer does so bravely. 

With the cancellation of many events due to COVID-19 this fall, I’m happy to see the local Terry Fox Run in Airdrie is continuing, albeit virtually, while many local schools will also offer the run in a modified manner to comply with public health protocols. It’s a noble cause and one I know Airdronians will continue to stand behind.

Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19




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