Wednesday, September 10

A Canadian Hero - His Dream Lives On


On July 28, 1958, a young boy was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His name was Terry Fox and little did his parents know at that time that their son would leave his mark on the world.

Terry's parents moved to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia when Terry was still young. He attended Simon Fraser University and in 1976, was chosen to play junior varsity basketball. But after being on the team for only a year, Terry began to have excruitiating pain in his right knee. It turned out that Terry had osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. His right leg was amputated to try to prevent the cancer from spreading.

While recuperating from the surgery, Terry read a magazine article about an amputee runner. He made up his mind that he would run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After he fully recuperated Terry began to train for his run, which he called The Marathon of Hope. Two years after the amputation, Terry started to run at night when no one would see him. He was preparing himself to succeed in his goal.

On April 12, 1980, Terry dipped his articifical leg into the Atlantic Ocean in St. John's Newfoundland and then set off on his Marathon of Hope. He ran an average of 26 miles a day across six provinces.

Everywhere Terry went he was greeted by hundreds of people who lined roads and streets, cheering him on. But when he reached Thunder Bay, Ontario, disaster struck. Terry collapsed. The dreaded cancer had spread to his lungs.

Terry's parents flew in to Thunder Bay and took their son home but the Marathon of Hope was far from over. Isadore Sharp sent Terry a telegram the following day, stating that he would organize a run to raise funds for cancer research. It would be called, The Terry Fox Run.

Terry Fox succumbed to cancer on June 28, 1981. On September 21, 1981, the first Terry Fox Run was held at 760 sites across Canada and around the world. In 2008, the Terry Fox Run will be held on September 14th. The Terry Fox School Run Day will be held on September 26th. Jordan always participates.

For more information on the Terry Fox Run, or to make a donation, visit the website of the Terry Fox Foundation. Every dollar goes toward cancer research.

Note: My prayers are with all of those in the path of Hurricane Ike. Be sure to get in all the supplies you need and stay safe.

16 comments:

  1. mary, thank you for sharing this story. Hugs and Blessings your way.

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  2. I remember hearing about him - he is a hero! Thanks for sharing this story.

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  3. Great story!! He really had a great attitude and kept going!! What a brave young man...

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  4. What an awesome man! Praying here for those in the path of the hurricane - that's scary...

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  5. Bless you for sharing this my friend.

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  6. Beautiful story of a true hero...

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  7. G'day Mary!!

    I'm going to go do a little bloghopping today in case we are given evacuation notice over the weekend.

    I have a Thursday blog scheduled to post tonight at 5PM, and I have a special gift for you then.

    So drop by sometime and check out Thursday's blog later. I think I'll do a few more blogs if I have time and schedule them for Friday and Saturday too.

    Happy day, and thanks for the thoughts and prayers...

    LOVE your Canadian Hero story. This so humbles us all, doesn't it?

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  8. This was touching story! What a brave young man. Thank for sharing. Love, Grams

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  9. Hi Mary!! I am so excited to have a chance to stop by. The Terry Fox story brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much for sharing it! I love, love, love the fall look! I hope all is well with you and yours.

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  10. That was a great story and beautifully told.
    Thank you for sharing it. I am sure that the legacy of this man's life has helped many people by the funds it has raised.

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  11. It sure a sad posting but will deserve posting.

    Coffee is on.

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  12. Hey girl..... I just love coming here and reading about Canadian History...... What a wonderful story about a wonderful young man..... Our weather is full of rain rain rain and more rain coming.... If we had waited a month to fill our pool we would not have had to pay that water bill! I think IKE is going to hit Texas and come right up to us according to the weather...... Guess it is time to cover the pool.. this is the coolest September in 120 years! Go figure.... I guess God thought it more important to water the earth than give me more time to swim....hahahha Usually it is hot almost to the end of October! hahaha

    Love ya and have a wonderful Thursday......

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  13. I remember Terry's journey well and how I was saddened by the news of the recurrence of his cancer and then his untimely death. We have seen the memorial to him in Thunder Bay. He was a brave young man.

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  14. I remember well when Terry Fox ran through our city and it was heartwarming to see the highway lined with people cheering him on. He certainly did find a place in our hearts and he will never be forgotten. xoxo

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  15. Thanks for sharing Terry’s story. What an amazing young man! My thoughts and prayers are with those in the path of this latest storm ... and those recovering from previous storms too.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  16. Mary,

    I well remember reading about Terry Fox and seeing him on television. He was and continues to be a great inspiration. Great post.

    hugs,
    Tina

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