This Sunday, a new chapter will be written in the amazing story of an inspirational Canadian, as Terry Fox Runs take place in communities of all sizes throughout the land.
In 1980, after having one leg amputated due to cancer, Fox embarked on a cross-Canada run dubbed The Marathon of Hope to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, nationwide legacy. In fact, Fox’s legacy is now global, as supporters in more than 60 countries participate in what has become the world’s largest one-day fundraising event.
Setting out from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Fox ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day until he was forced to end his run outside of Thunder Bay when the cancer spread to his lungs. He died nine months later on June 28, 1981, having become the youngest person ever to be named to the Order of Canada and the recipient of the 1980 Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s top athlete.
Fox’s target of $22 million (a dollar for every Canadian at the time) has long since been surpassed, and Terry Fox Runs have raised over half a billion dollars for cancer research.
Mapleton residents are among the staunchest members of Terry’s team. In 2013 the Drayton Terry Fox run drew 163 participants and raised almost $21,000 – and the local run has raised close to $380,000 since 1990. It’s a tribute to both local organizers and participants that the local run generally ranges anywhere from second to fifth in the province for revenue per capita.
Runs will also be held at numerous other locations across Wellington County on Sept. 14 and at schools throughout the region on Sept. 24, as area residents join in an event that has become a unifying nation-wide phenomenon.
Although Fox never finished his run, Canadians everywhere have been keeping the Marathon of Hope going for nearly 35 years.
“Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me,” Fox once said.
While he would no doubt be thrilled, it’s hard to imagine even an optimist like Terry Fox could have envisioned the scale on which his wish would ultimately come true.
Patrick Raftis
