Terry Fox was a man who ran a marathon for 132 days, covering over 3,106 miles in total, all while being a cancer patient. This was an extraordinary feat rarely seen in sports, and it deeply moved people around the world.

Terry Fox, a Fighter

When the pain in his left knee became unbearable, Terry Fox knew something was wrong. However, he was no stranger to challenges; his life had been dedicated to sports. Whether it was baseball, basketball, soccer, or rugby, he was known for his intensity on the field. He was a sports prodigy in Canada when he received the life-altering news.

It was 1977, and at the age of 18, his body stopped functioning as he was diagnosed with cancer in his leg. Amputation became inevitable.

After the operation, 15 centimeters of his leg were removed, a clean cut above the knee. During his rehabilitation, he came across the story of Dick Traum, an amputee who had managed to run the New York Marathon. Terry was so moved that one night, out of the blue, he told one of the nurses caring for him:

“Someday, I’m going to do something like that”.

During his hospital stay, Terry connected with sick children. It pained him to see how these young ones battled an illness consuming them from within. He couldn’t stand idly by; someone had to offer them hope amidst that inevitable darkness.

And so, Terry began to run.

Terry Fox set off from St. John’s, heading to Thunder Bay. He would face 3,338 miles in 132 days in his “Marathon of Hope.” He ran an average of 42 kilometers a day, equivalent to a marathon, with a prosthesis on the left side of his body for support. The artificial leg provided some assistance, but the bulk of the effort fell on his right leg, which bore a superhuman strain with each step.

The Marathon of Hope

All of Canada rallied behind him. People came out of their homes to watch him pass, offering water and encouragement to ensure he wouldn’t give up his fight. The media documented every step of this young athlete’s journey, and the term “national hero” began to resonate.

The primary goal of his “Marathon of Hope” was to raise awareness and funds to support cancer research nationwide. Terry Fox had the backing of the Canadian Cancer Society and the War Amps of Canada, as well as sponsorship from companies like Adidas, Imperial Oil, and Ford. After 143 days on the road, Terry had to take a pause.

He was struggling to breathe. In the hospital, he was informed that cancer had spread to his lungs. The race had to wait; his life was at stake.

“I’m going to do my best. I’m going to fight. I promise I won’t give up,” Terry said after learning of his situation, and his attitude inspired cancer patients around the world. He continued on until June 1981.

After undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, Terry Fox passed away at the Royal Columbian Hospital, just a month shy of his 23rd birthday.

His fight did not end with the passing of this icon. To date, $650 million has been raised in Terry’s name through his foundation and the Terry Fox Run, an annual event held in Canada and around the world in tribute to the journey the activist began 35 years ago. His footsteps still echo on the asphalt.