Terry Fox

Lore & Background

Fox was a distance runner and basketball player for Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School, later named after him, and Simon Fraser University. His right leg was amputated in 1977 after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, though he continued to run using an artificial leg. He also played wheelchair basketball in Vancouver, winning three national championships. In 1980, he began the Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people at the time. He began with little fanfare from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in April that year, and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. He had become a national star by the time he reached Ontario, and made numerous public appearances with businessmen, athletes, and politicians in his efforts to raise money. He was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay after the cancer spread to his lungs. He died nine months later on June 28, 1981.

Reader's Guide

Fox’s behaviour and athletic career were defined by fierce competitiveness and resilience. After losing his right leg to osteosarcoma in 1977, he continued to run using an artificial limb and played wheelchair basketball in Vancouver, winning three national championships. His running gait was distinctive—a hop-step necessitated by the time required for the springs in his prosthetic leg to reset. Training caused bone bruises, blisters, and intense pain, yet he persisted. In 1980, he launched the Marathon of Hope, aiming to raise one dollar from each of Canada’s then 24 million people. Starting from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador with little fanfare, he ran the equivalent of a full marathon daily, becoming a national star by the time he reached Ontario. He made numerous public appearances with businessmen, athletes, and politicians to raise funds. His run ended outside Thunder Bay when cancer spread to his lungs. He died nine months later. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown into the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research, involving millions across over 60 countries and raising over C$1 billion through the Terry Fox Research Institute. Fox’s legacy as a national hero is reflected in numerous buildings, statues, roads, and parks named after him, and he remains the youngest Companion of the Order of Canada.

Did You Know?

• Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that often starts near the knees.
• He ran with an unusual gait, hop-stepping on his good leg due to the springs in his artificial leg.
• He turned away any company that requested he endorse their products, insisting nobody was to profit from his run.