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Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox was born on July 28th, 1956 in Winnipeg, Manitoba ("Terry Fox Foundation"). He was only 18- years-old in 1977 when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres above his knee ("Terry Fox Foundation"). While in the hospital, Terry become so close with many young cancer patients that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research ("Terry Fox Foundation"). This is now known as the Marathon of Hope.
Fox's journey began on April 12, 1980, when he dipped his right leg in the Atlantic Ocean near St.John's, Newfoundland ("Terry Fox"). Doug Alward supported Fox's marathon by driving a van beside him and cooking his meals ("Terry Fox"). Fox ran through cities in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario ("Terry Fox"). Because of the spread of his cancer, his journey ended on September 1st, 1980 in Thunder Bay, Ontario ("Terry Fox Foundation"). The Marathon of Hope lasted 143 days and 5,373 kilometres ("Terry Fox Foundation").
Inspiring millions of people around the world, he drew nationwide attention and raised $1.7 million (West). Since Terry was such an inspiration, Canadians donated an additional $23 million to the cancer fund (West). Terry Fox is the youngest person ever to be named a Companion of the Order of Canada and since he's considered a national hero, Fox has many roads, buildings and parks named after him ("Terry Fox"). Now, the Terry Fox Run, which began as a small Canadian event by one man, is now an annual and non-competitive event held around the world to raise money for cancer research ("Terry Fox").