Write@Home
Winter 2015

Canada

disabled male athlete running on track

Terry Fox is a world famous story. He turned his cancer into a gift of life and hope for a miracle for others. He became hope for millions of people in the fight against cancer. Terry's story is heroic, he ran without a leg for 143 days to collect $1 from every Canadian. He managed to draw people's attention to the problems with cancer. His goal was to run across Canada from ocean to ocean. The brave boy failed to reach his goal - but he did much more for this world.

Terry Fox for me is a phenomenal person, he changed the world. He died to give life to other people. His life is very short, but his mind is very big.

The Life of Terry Fox.

Every year, people all over the world run, walk and pay money for cancer research in memory of Canadian national hero Terry Fox. Terry Fo? was born in Winnipeg in 1958. He was a very active young man who enjoyed playing sports.

When he was at university, he got bone cancer. He lost his leg and had to wear a prosthetic one. After he lost his leg he remained active. He loved to run. One day he had a dream that he was running across Canada from ocean to ocean.

Terry decided to run across Canada on his artificial leg. He wanted to raise money to end cancer. Terry Fox started his Marathon of Hope in Newfoundland in 1980. He started strong, but the cancer spread to his lungs. This made it difficult to breathe. After 143 days, Terry had no more strength. He quit his run near Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Terry Fox died in 1981. His mother kept his hope alive. She started the Terry Fox Foundation. Every year, Canadians run in memory of Terry Fox. They always raise a lot of money for cancer research.