It took many months and extraordinary commitment for Terry’s dream to happen. To begin with he had to figure out how to walk again, to strengthen his body and, finally, to run on an artificial leg and a good leg. After 18 months and over 5,000 kilometers of training, Terry flew from British Columbia to Newfoundland to commence his journey.

On April 12^th, 1980 Terry dipped his artificial foot into the Atlantic Ocean at St. John’s, Newfoundland and began his historic quest to run a marathon a day, every day, until he reached the Pacific Coast. Along his route, he encountered high winds, bitter cold, freezing rain, blistering heat and humidity. Every day he started at 4:30 am, running in the dark and the quiet of the morning, which he loved. He was inspired and overwhelmed by the caring and generosity of Canadians who supported and encouraged him.

Terry’s fierce determination resulted in his running an average of 42 kilometers every day for 143 days. Just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario on September 1^st Terry was forced to end his marathon due to the spread of cancer to his lungs. Ten months later Terry died at the age of 22, on June 28, 1981. Canadians who had supported him so magnificently were deeply saddened.

Terry left his heroic footprints across 5,373 kilometers of this country. Terry’s spirit and courage still echo in the legacy he continues to weave today in the millions of dollars raised annually, at home and abroad, for cancer research and in the example he set for all of us that dreams can come true.

About the Terry Fox Run
Before he died, Terry knew that a run would be held to commemorate his Marathon of Hope. It was called The Terry Fox Run. Communities, schools and corporations were invited to participate. It was a legacy of hope, that through monies raised for research, a cure for cancer would be found. The Run offers each of us the opportunity to contribute to this worthy cause and pay tribute to loved ones who, like Terry, battle cancer.

Each year, thousands of volunteers organize Terry Fox Runs at over 5,000 Run sites in Canada and around the world. In excess of 1 million participants walk, jog and bike in memory of Terry to raise funds for cancer research. There are International Run sites in countries as disparate as the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh and Brazil.

Credited with being the largest single-day fundraising event for cancer research worldwide the Foundation, through the annual Terry Fox Run, has raised over $220 million. In Canada, the annual Terry Fox Run is held in September usually on the second Sunday following Labour Day. In countries outside Canada the Run is organized at any time of the year that is convenient for Run organizers.

source: Terry Fox Foundation