TERRY FOX

Greatness comes in the form of many things ranging from objects to people, and places to ideas. The qualities that define that level of eminence can stand up to the test of time, and leave a profound impact on those around them. One man that comes to mind embodying such greatness is the extraordinary Terry Fox. A young man, who found himself between a rock and a hard place in life, showed the world that there is always a choice to climb out of the pitfall and walk with one’s head held high.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1958, an adolescent Terry moved with his family to Surrey, British Columbia in 1966, and relocated to Port Coquitlam two years after in 1968. While growing up, Terry was very athletic and took part in a variety of sports, eventually developing a passion for basketball. Although he was not naturally a gifted basketball player, he dedicated himself to becoming an impressive member of his high school team, winning the ‘Athlete of the Year’ award in his senior year, and moving on to earn a coveted spot on the basketball team for Simon Fraser University.

In the March of 1977, Terry was diagnosed with cancer which resulted in losing his right leg at 18 years old. He embarked on a cross country marathon in April of 1980 by St. John’s, calling it the Marathon of Hope. It began with the idea to raise money for cancer research and turned into a journey that came to be recognized as one of the most inspiring stories of determination in history.  Ending the run a little less than five months after, Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 leaving behind a legacy that would change a nation. While Terry alone had raised over $1 million for cancer research, over $500 million has been raised over the annual runs held in his name since then, and immeasurable hope continues to triumph with his memory.

Terry Fox is a man of greatness. While there are many tributes to Terry in Vancouver, one of the more recent ones is a memorial outside of BC Place. This monument of Terry is a series of four bronze statues, each larger than the last, symbolizing his everlasting perseverance through extremely demanding times. These statues, along with Terry’s legend, will both stand the test of time. While the statues will physically remain, Terry’s story itself will resonate on a deeper level. Beyond overcoming obstacles, Terry has shown that it is through difficult choices that lives are changed. His motivation was to raise money for cancer research, and in turn inspired him to pursue the Marathon of Hope. To motivate is to provide incentive, whereas to inspire is to move and influence with exalting emotion. Terry and his legacy of greatness will always be a testament to how hard one can work while motivated, and what they can ultimately prove to fulfill while inspired.