Rhymin' & Stealin'

On April 12, 1980, a 21-year-old dipped his prosthetic limb into the chilly water off Newfoundland and set off on one of the greatest endeavors any Canadian has ever undertaken. Terrance Stanley Fox had lost his leg three years earlier to bone cancer and he was determined to help make a difference. He decided to run across our huge country from Newfoundland to the shores of British Columbia in an effort to raise $24 million dollars for cancer research (a dollar for every Canadian citizen at the time). His effort captivated our nation, inspired countless people of all abilities and gave everyone who was interested a real glimpse into the power of the human spirit.

Unfortunately, Terry was unable to finish his momentous journey, having to end his marathon just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario after 143 days of consecutive marathons, or 5,280 total kilometres. While his run did not make it to its conclusion, the momentum he built allowed him to reach his fund-raising goal by the end of 1980, the same year Terry was awarded the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Athlete of the Year. He had cast such a large spotlight on his dreaded disease and had united an entire country that he was as revered on school playgrounds as hockey legends Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr or a young Wayne Gretzky. Then, as quickly as he came into our Country’s collective consciousness, he was gone. On June 28, 1981 Terry fell into a coma and died with his family at his side. His funeral was broadcast across Canada and the entire country participated in an unofficial day of  mourning. Our greatest sporting hero was gone…

But not forgotten. Terry’s legacy is as unbelievable as was his relentless determination. He continues to be regarded as one of our Country’s greatest heroes and the Terry Fox Foundation has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research over the past 30 years. He has 14 schools named after him, countless roads, parks and trails, even a mountain and a ship in the Canadian Navy. Adidas even re-released 6,500 pairs of his iconic sneakers in 2005 to help raise over half a million. In 2010, his yearly Marathon of Hope is the single-biggest one day fundraiser for cancer research in the world. Fellow Lou Marsh Award winner and perhaps Canada’s second greatest athlete ever, Steve Nash, grew up idolizing Terry and has directed a documentary for ESPN’s 30 for 30 film series titled Into the Wind that will look into Terry’s journey and the impact he had on so many Canadians. The release date hasn’t been finalized but the film should be out this spring.

Let’s all take the time today to remember the story of one of the bravest Canadians of all-time and to remember everything that he stood for. We have all lost someone close to us to cancer and it is with the courage of all those battling or who have battled the disease that we can work together to someday eliminate it.

You were the man Terry and R&S salutes you!