The Marathon Of Hope- How A Dying Cancer Patient Saved The Lives Of Many

In 1980, with one leg amputated due to cancer, Terrance Stanley Fox began a cross-Canada marathon from east to west to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.

Although the progression of his cancer forced him to abandon his journey after 143 days and 5,373 km (3,373 mi) and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts left an enduring, global impact. As of September 2022, more than C$850 million had been raised in his name.

Background Story

In 1976, Stanley Fox who was 18 years old was in a car accident. He crashed into the back of a truck, which completely wrecked his own car. Luckily, he sustained minimal injury.

He only felt a sore knee, which he thought was because of the crash. But it didn't stop hurting. He played basketball a lot in school, so he thought the pain was from too much stress.

But when basketball season was over, the pain was still there, so he went to a doctor. Four months after his accident, he was told he had osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer that often starts in the knee and spreads quickly. The doctors knew right away that removing his leg and giving him chemotherapy was his best chance of living.

On March 9, 1977, five days following his diagnosis, his right leg was amputated 15 cm above the knee.

Terry Starts Marathon Of Hope To Raise Awareness

Fox had read a story about Dick Traum, the first amputee to finish the New York City Marathon, the evening before his cancer surgery.

He was motivated by the article and started a 14-month training schedule, informing his family he was going to run a marathon.

Fox was upset at how little money was allocated to cancer research as a result of his hospital experiences. He first told only his closest friend of his intention to run the entire length of Canada in an effort to raise awareness of cancer.

The extra strain he had to put on both his healthy leg and his stump during training caused bone bruising, blisters, and excruciating agony. He found the exercise to be difficult. Fox discovered that each run became easier after he reached a pain threshold after around 20 minutes.

Fox participated in a 17-mile road race on September 2 in Prince George. Although he came in last, ten minutes behind his closest rival, the other competitors were moved to tears and applauded his effort.

On April 12, 1980, on Canada's east coast, Terry Fox started his virtually impossible accomplishment after more than a year of training.

He ran a marathon every day for 143 days. He ran despite the agony, wind, rain, and storm. Canadians prayed for a miracle as Fox's condition deteriorated, and Pope John Paul II sent a telegram saying he was praying for Fox.

He did something that no one had ever done, despite the fact that he never finished his marathon. Cancer progressed to his lungs after 5,372 km (3,338 miles), forcing him to stop on September 1st, 1980. Terry passed away ten months later, 30 days before turning 23.

Terry Fox's Impact

When he was forced to drop out of the Marathon, Fox had raised $1.7 million, which would be more than 6 million today.

Fox became a Companion of the Order of Canada in a ceremony in September 1980. He was the youngest person to get this honor.

Letters and other gifts of support from admirers and well-wishers all across the world poured in for Fox. He once received more mail than the entire city of Port Coquitlam.

Fox is still a big part of Canadian folklore. His determination brought the whole country together. People from all walks of life helped him on his run, and his memory makes people proud in every part of the country. In 1999, a national poll named him Canada's greatest hero, and in 2004, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's show The Greatest Canadian put him in second place, behind Tommy Douglas.