Inspiration to Live Your Magic: 75 Inspiring Biographies

Terry Fox
Life as he had known it ended for Terry Fox when he was twenty. But 
in the face of tragedy, he created a dream that inspired a nation. And 
his dream lives on.
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When a teenager gets cancer and then loses a leg at age twenty, you might forgive him 
for giving up on any big dreams. But Canadian Terry Fox refused to give up. In fact, he 
started dreaming bigger than ever.
Terry was determined to raise money for cancer research to help other young people. So 
he decided to do something no one had ever done before - to run some five thousand 
miles across Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, on one real and one artificial leg.
Terry prepared for eighteen months, running over 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers).
He set out quietly on April 12, 1980, dipping his artificial leg in the ocean waters off 
Newfoundland. Starting that day, and every day that followed, he ran twenty-five miles. 
Through rain and shine, despite pain and exhaustion, from early morning darkness to 
long after sunset, he ran the equivalent of a marathon every day.
By halfway through his run, Terry had captured the hearts of his nation. Huge crowds 
appeared by the sides of remote highways to cheer him on. He visited the notorious 
Kingston Penitentiary and the hardened inmates wept at his courage and determination.
Sadly, Terry was not able to finish his heroic run. His cancer spread to his lungs, and he 
was forced to quit on September 1, 1980, near Thunder Bay, Ontario, after running for 
143 days and 3,339 miles (5,373 kilometers).

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Terry’s goal was to raise one dollar for every Canadian to fund cancer research, a total of 
$24 million. When Terry had to quit his run, his courage inspired a groundswell of 
support from across Canada, and the fundraising efforts continued. By February 1, 1981, 
Terry’s Marathon of Hope had raised the $24 million.
Terry lived to see his dream realized, but on June 28, 1981, at the age of twenty-two, 
Terry Fox died of the disease that he had battled so hard against.
Terry inspired new dreams and new commitment as Canadians followed his example and 
continued to raise money for cancer research through Terry Fox Runs. In 1988, the Terry 
Fox Foundation was established to coordinate and manage Terry’s legacy. As of Spring 
2011, close to $500 million had been raised for cancer research, and over 5,000 locations 
in Canada were planning a Terry Fox Run for September.
Terry Fox is remembered by Canadians as their greatest hero of all time, and the best 
example of courage in action.
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