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Old 09-01-2020, 09:55 AM   #1
CaptainCrunch
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Default 40th anniversary of the last day of Terry Fox's marathon

A great Canadian, that struggled with cancer and was eventually taken from us. When he was hospitalized with cancer he grew angry with how little money was being given to cancer research, and decided to raise awareness for the issue.


On April 12, 1980 he dipped his leg in the Atlantic Ocean at St John's Newfoundland, and began the marathon of hope.



Enduring constant pain and fatigue, he pushed through poor weather running every day.



He ran for 143 days, and covered about 5700 km's and directly raised $1.7 million dollars for cancer research.


On Sept 1, 1980 he was overwhelmed by fatigue and chest pains and asked to be taken to the hospital. It was the last day of the Marathon of Hope as the cancer had returned to his lungs. Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981.


He was a great hero that raised awareness for cancer research and inspired a nation, and became the poster boy for heart and perseverance and determination.
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Old 09-01-2020, 09:57 AM   #2
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Honestly I think with the timing always being pretty close that Labour Day should be re-named to Terry Fox Day.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:01 AM   #3
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He will always be considered the greatest Canadian in my mind. Just an inspirational feel-good story even if the end was tragic. I remember school in the 80's and 90's really portrayed him as a hero - and rightfully so.

My "marquee" Canadian moment is seeing clips of him on TV running the marathon. The images of him running with the van behind him and his iconic running gait is forever burned into my memory. Makes me proud to be Canadian.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:18 AM   #4
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What an incredible young man. Isn't there a stat somewhere that he raised more funds posthumously for cancer research than any other person or organization? That might be a reach, but I think his foundation has raised something insane like $500 million for research.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:23 AM   #5
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Every time I’m in Victoria I go visit the mile zero Terry Fox statue, and tear up a little.

What an incredible person.

The technology probably wasn’t anywhere close to perfect, but I think Vancouver 2010 should have had a hologram of Terry Fox running across the stadium with the torch to light the Olympic cauldron.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:36 AM   #6
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Hero is a term often overused. Terry was a Hero.
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Old 09-01-2020, 10:57 AM   #7
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I still remember because I was about 14 when he died and I signed up to run in the Terry Fox Marathon, went door to door and raised money for it. A teacher was supposed to drive me to it on a Saturday, and he never showed up, and I had to get my dad to give up a morning of work to grab me and get me down, it was a great experience, and there were a ton of runners and I think it raised a wack of money.


A agree with you Trout. Hero is as over used as the term franchise player or GOAT or other terms.



Terry Fox and Rick Hanson to me were major hero's and if we're looking to replace statues, there's two names alone that transcend and should inspire.
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Old 09-01-2020, 11:06 AM   #8
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I would 100% be in favor of putting up a Terry Fox statue in Alberta if JK wants to put up statutes. #### politicians from the 1800's. Fox is a true symbol of Canadian greatness.
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Old 09-01-2020, 11:11 AM   #9
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i still remember when he came thru my town - i was only 7. i definitely didn't "get" what all was going on, but we went out and cheered him on.

it's amazing to see how much of an effect he had on our country... even now, 40 years later.

and like Trout said, he truly was a hero
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Old 09-01-2020, 11:34 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame View Post
He will always be considered the greatest Canadian in my mind. Just an inspirational feel-good story even if the end was tragic. I remember school in the 80's and 90's really portrayed him as a hero - and rightfully so.

My "marquee" Canadian moment is seeing clips of him on TV running the marathon. The images of him running with the van behind him and his iconic running gait is forever burned into my memory. Makes me proud to be Canadian.
Hands down, Terry Fox is the greatest Canadian of all time.
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Old 09-01-2020, 11:46 AM   #11
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Wow, and only 22 when he passed. What an incredible man.
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Old 09-01-2020, 11:59 AM   #12
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Steve Fonyo is a footnote now. Completed the journey, but had a troubled life after that.
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Old 09-01-2020, 01:25 PM   #13
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Stopped in at the Terry Fox monument near Thunder Bay when I was moving to Ontario. Was easily the most remarkable sight on the trip. The power of it all gave me goosebumps, and to top it off it’s in a beautiful location.


Last edited by Scroopy Noopers; 09-01-2020 at 02:17 PM. Reason: Added location
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Old 09-01-2020, 03:38 PM   #14
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Honestly I think with the timing always being pretty close that Labour Day should be re-named to Terry Fox Day.
Yeah we wouldn’t want to put it on September 1st, that being Alberta Day and all.

Terry Fox did more to change the world in his short lifetime than most could ever dream of. He’s always considered in any debate about who is the greatest Canadian ever, but I don’t think he ever gets enough consideration for just being one of the greatest and most impactful human beings ever.
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Old 09-01-2020, 03:57 PM   #15
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I am comfortable too with the idea of Terry Fox as the greatest Canadian. sure we can list other (usually older) more 'accomplished' folks from many walks of life- insulin anyone? but its the fact that it's an ordinary person, facing unfair circumstances doing extraordinary things that resonates with me


over 750 Million dollars raised in his name for a singular cause
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