Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

More than 28 years ago, on April 12, 1980 a young man with a big dream by the name of Terry Fox dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the beginning of his Marathon of Hope. It also marked the beginning of an amazing cross-country odyssey which continues to touch and inspire countless people from around the world. To date, more than $360 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in memory of Terry’s historic journey – an event held across Canada and around the world each September. And it’s a figure which will continue to blossom this weekend as Albertans and Canadians of all ages unite to help fulfill Terry’s dream of eventually finding a cure for the same disease (cancer) which claimed his life just 143 days into his heroic journey. This year marks the 28th anniversary of Terry’s cancer fund-raising crusade – an event which captured the hearts and attention of the world and helped change the course of history. Most Canadians fondly recall that day back in April of 1980 when Terry announced to the world his intentions to run across Canada in what would eventually become recognized as the Marathon of Hope. On a cool and foggy April 12, 1980, Fox dipped his prosthetic right leg in the Atlantic Ocean off St. John's, Nfld., and began his Marathon of Hope. He ran about 42 kilometres each day no matter the weather – freezing rain, high winds, even snow. “I'm not a dreamer, and I’m not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to,” Fox was quoted as saying early on during his Marathon of Hope. Terry’s popularity and support along the way grew in intensity with each painful step forward as he inched his way through communities along the Trans Canada Highway while maintaining a pace of roughly 42 kilometres a day. His determination and perseverance earned our deepest respect, admiration and hope as we watched this young man push on each day, regardless of fatigue, adverse weather conditions or the time of day. What Canadians didn’t realize at the time was that Terry’s physical condition was rapidly deteriorating. One-hundred-and-forty-three days and 5,373 kilometers into his journey, Terry’s dream of conquering Canada on foot was dealt a striking blow when it was revealed by doctors that cancer had spread to his lungs. He would spend the next several months in hospital prior to eventually losing his battle to cancer with his family beside him almost a year later on June 28, 1981 – one month short of his twenty-third birthday. Prior to his death and after logging 2,521 miles Terry had this to say to Canadians: “Maybe that’s why I’ve made it as far as I have. If I ran to a doctor every time I got a little cyst or abrasion I’d still be in Nova Scotia. Or else I’d never have started. I’ve seen people in so much pain. The little bit of pain I’m going through is nothing. They can’t shut it off, and I can’t shut down every time I feel a little sore,” he said. Today, Terry’s inspirational story of hope and unbreakable spirit serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration for everyone who is or knows of someone diagnosed with cancer. His Marathon of Hope and his mission to help find a cure for cancer to help end the pain and suffering continues to live on in the hearts of millions of people who participate in the annual Terry Fox Run. And that’s exactly the way Terry wanted it.

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