Forty years ago today, Terry Fox started his “Marathon of Hope” right here in St. John’s.
Most Terry Fox runs and walks are held in September, but it was April 12th, 1980 that his journey began in an effort to fight cancer.
"Today is the day it all begins.”
With the simplest of phrases, Terry Fox took his first steps on the Marathon of Hope 40 years ago today. His goal was bold, to bring an end to the suffering caused by cancer.
— TerryFoxFoundation (@TerryFoxCanada) April 12, 2020
Fox was just 21-years-old, and dipped his artificial leg in St. John’s Harbour, before setting out to run across the country.
He set out hoping to raise one million dollars, and inspired millions of people all across Canada.
The 21-year-old was forced to stop the Marathon of Hope just outside of Thunder Bay on September 1st, 1980 due to cancer complications.
Thank you, Terry, for showing us the beauty in the human spirit. Thank you, Canada, for striving to take Terry’s marathon over the finish line.https://t.co/TN63H4DOkX pic.twitter.com/8SHOnONfHL
— TerryFoxFoundation (@TerryFoxCanada) April 12, 2020
