“I believe in miracles. I have to.” ~ Terry Fox (July 28, 1958 to June 28, 1981)
Today – September 19, 2010 – is the day of this year’s Terry Fox Run for cancer research funding.
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and activist who worked to increase cancer research funding.
After an auto accident in 1977, cancer developed in one of his legs and it had to be amputated. He was angry over low funding rates for cancer research. He devised a plan for running cross country across Canada in marathon-long increments to raise money for cancer research.
He called it his “Marathon of Hope.” He began April 12, 1980. In all, he ran 143 days, covering 3389 miles (5373 kilometers) before his declining health forced him to stop and go to the hospital. Within a matter of months Terry Fox died of cancer.
[Sources: 1st quotation from The Terry Fox Foundation website. Dates, biographical information and narrative from Wikipedia, accessed September 18, 2010].
Before he died, Terry Fox said “Even though I’m not running anymore, we still have to try to find a cure for cancer. Other people should go ahead and try to do their own thing now.” [Source: BrainyQuotes.com, accessed September 18, 2010].
Terry Fox lived an extraordinary life of substance, hope, and transformation. He was one of my first heroes. I remember watching ABC’s coverage of Fox, seeing the blood running down his prosthesis, and being moved profoundly.
I will remember Terry Fox for as long as I live.
According to Wikipedia, the annual Terry Fox Run began in 1981. It has involved millions of participants in over 60 countries, and has raised over $500 million (Canadian) for cancer research in his name.
Blessings to the memory of Terry Fox.
Please support the Terry Fox Foundation.
Andrew Shattuck McBride, Writer's Blog 