BARRY’S BAY – It was in 1980 that Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist Terry Fox began his cross Canada run in an effort to raise money and awareness for Cancer research.
After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 1977, Terry started The Marathon of Hope in St. John’s Newfoundland, and with one leg amputated, he ran the equivalent of a marathon each day for 143 days.
He was forced to end his run outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario after 5,373 kilometers due to complications, as his cancer spread to his lungs. Terry fox Died nine months later, but his legacy carries on to this day. With millions of participants in over 60 countries, the Terry Fox run has raised over 600 million dollars and has become the world’s most successful one day cancer research fundraiser.
Get your September 23, 2015 edition of The Valley Gazette to read the full story.