// about Terry Fox - a true Canadian Hero
In 1977, 18-year-old Terry Fox, while a student at Simon Fraser University was diagnosed with bone cancer and lost his right leg to prevent the spread of the disease. After 14 months of training, Terry convinced the Canadian Cancer Society to help sponsor his run across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

On April 12th 1980, Terry dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean and began his Marathon of Hope across Canada. Averaging 26 miles per day, Terry continued the Run for 143 days as the country watched. On September 1st 1980, Terry was just outside Thunder Bay ON when tragedy struck - he felt sharp pains in his chest. The cancer he he thought he had conquered had spread to his lungs. He returned to Vancouver for more treatments but lost his battle with cancer on June 28th 1981, exactly one month shy of his 23rd birthday.

Although Terry did not complete his Marathon, his Run had raised $24.2 million for the cause of cancer research and he became an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. Terry Fox has received numerous honours - including the Order of Canada, a postage stamp, several memorials, schools, a mountain and an HBO movie - but his greatest legacy is the annual Terry Fox Run which is held in cities across Canada and around the world.

To date, the Terry Fox Foundation* has raised nearly 400 million dollars for cancer research. There has also been a Canadian one-dollar coin minted with the image of Terry - the first time ever that a Canadian has been featured on a coin. Terry was also featured as one of CBCs "Greatest Canadians" and is currently the subject of a pictoral biography recently released by Douglas Coupland.

Please click here to visit the Terry Fox Facts page.

*NOTE: The Terry Fox Humanitarian Program is not affiliated with or receive funding from the Terry Fox Foundation or the Terry Fox Run.