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This Day in History - June 28, 1981: Terry Fox passed away at the young age of 22. Canada – and the world – lost a hero. Read the thread to learn more.
Terry was an 18-year-old first year Kinesiology student at Simon Fraser University and a member of the #SFU junior varsity basketball team in 1977 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.
His right leg was amputated six inches above the knee, and he underwent chemotherapy. While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
He began his Marathon of Hope on Apr 12, 1980 in St. John's, Newfoundland. On Sept 1 after 143 days & 5,373 kms, Terry had to stop outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. Our nation was stunned & saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981
Few people are aware of the physical enormity of what Terry did: he ran 26 miles per day, 7 days per week, on pavement, with an artificial limb that required a hop every step. It was a journey that Canadians will never forget.
His courage, determination, humanitarianism, and selflessness have been an inspiration to millions of people.
