who was terry fox

Terrance Stanley Fox, known as Terry Fox, was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist who became a national hero. Born on July 28, 1958, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) at age 18, leading to the amputation of his right leg above the knee in 1977. Despite this, he became a distance runner and wheelchair basketball player. In 1980, Terry embarked on the "Marathon of Hope," a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. He aimed to run approximately a marathon (about 42 kilometers) every day, starting from St. John's, Newfoundland. His journey captivated the Canadian public, and he became a symbol of courage and hope. Unfortunately, the cancer spread to his lungs, forcing him to end his run after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers near Thunder Bay, Ontario. Terry Fox passed away on June 28, 1981, aged 22. Despite not completing the run, his legacy lives on through the annual Terry Fox Run, which has become the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research, raising over C$900 million internationally as of 2024. He was also the youngest recipient of the Order of Canada and remains an enduring Canadian icon celebrated for his determination and humanitarian spirit.