35th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope

Sunday, April 12, 2015, 6:00 AM - April 12, 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of the beginning of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run created by the athlete to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

In 1977, Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that often begins at the knee. His right leg was amputated, and he underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

Rather than resign to his illness, Fox set out to inspire hope for others affected by the disease.

In 1980, Terry Fox embarked on his iconic Marathon of Hope, setting out from St. John's, Newfoundland, with the goal of running 42 kilometres a day, the length of a full marathon.

Fox's determination was unstoppable. He ran in all weather conditions, battling gale force winds, heavy rain and snowstorms.

"He woke up every morning at 4:30 a.m. He wasn't able to roll over after looking at the window and seeing that the weather wasn't good," explains Darrel Fox, Terry's brother. "He had to get out there and run his 26 miles."

Sadly, Fox's trek across Canada was cut short that same year on September 1, when he suffered chest pains outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was forced to end his run after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres -- but had also raised nearly $1.7 million.

After months of treatment, Fox passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.

But his legacy lives on.

Millions of people in over 20 countries take part in the annual Terry Fox run, making it the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. 

"When Terry was diagnosed in 1977, he was told he had a 20 to 30 per cent chance of living," said his brother Darrel. "Today, he'd have over an 80 percent chance of living...for me that is extremely powerful. It can change history."

To date, more than $650 million has been raised for cancer research in Fox's name.

In honour of the 35th anniversary this year, the Terry Fox Foundation, in partnership with The Running Room, have organized special celebratory runs at more than 100 locations across Canada.