Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer at age 18 which resulted in his right leg being amputated. Inspired by another amputee who ran a marathon, Fox embarked on the "Marathon of Hope" in 1979 to run across Canada and raise funds for cancer research. Although he had to stop running after 143 days due to cancer spreading, Fox raised $24 million for cancer research before passing away in 1981, with over $500 million raised since in his name.
Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer at age 18 which resulted in his right leg being amputated. Inspired by another amputee who ran a marathon, Fox embarked on the "Marathon of Hope" in 1979 to run across Canada and raise funds for cancer research. Although he had to stop running after 143 days due to cancer spreading, Fox raised $24 million for cancer research before passing away in 1981, with over $500 million raised since in his name.
Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer at age 18 which resulted in his right leg being amputated. Inspired by another amputee who ran a marathon, Fox embarked on the "Marathon of Hope" in 1979 to run across Canada and raise funds for cancer research. Although he had to stop running after 143 days due to cancer spreading, Fox raised $24 million for cancer research before passing away in 1981, with over $500 million raised since in his name.
Diagnosed cancer in right knee when 18 years old.
Chemotherapy for 16 months. He learned that his chances of survival are 50%, but two years ago, it was only 15%. His right leg was amputated. He read about first marathon by an amputated person in New York, which inspired him. This triggered a desire to raise fund for cancer research through marathon. Wrote letter in 1979 to Cancer Society Canada and announced his goal of raising 1 million dollar for cancer research. He requested to fund him. He started his marathon called “marathon of hope” in 1979 to run 5300 KM from east to west of Canada to raise funds. He used to wake up at 4 am in the morning and run 42 Km daily. He ran for 137 days continuously. When he reached Toronto, 10,000 people gathered to welcome him. 20,000 feet ran that day on marathon that started with two feet only. He stopped on September 1, 1980. He passed away on June 28, 1981. Till his last day of marathon, he raised 24 million dollar. Now more than 500 million dollars have been raised in the name of Terry Fox. Now this marathon is held in 60 countries.