Terry Fox: Canadian Role Model

There are currently many famous people all around the world as well as in the past and throughout all of Canadian history, but only one person comes into mind; his name is Terry Fox. Despite having a mechanical leg, Terry Fox has made more difference than any other average person. Terry Fox was a great Canadian because he was an extraordinary athlete, role model and contributor.

Terry Fox is one of the greatest athletes in all of Canadian history in his effort to attempt to run all across Canada. Terry Fox’s main objective was to raise money for cancer research. He was a very brave man and by attempting to run all across Canada was his way of showing people that he still had fight in him.

After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) to prepare. Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran close to 42 kilometers (26 miles) a day through Canada’s Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3, 339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and

saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22. (LQ)
Overall, Terry Fox was and will always be one the greatest athletes in the history of Canada.

Terry Fox has given Canada a true role model.

He was a son to all the elders, a big brother to all the kids and a friend to everyone. All of the kids loved Terry, back then and now. (PARA) A Scarborough newspaper in 1980 read, “Terry Fox invaded Scarborough last Friday and his well-publicized jog across Canada saw 2000 people turn up at the Civic Centre to greet him and encourage the 21 year old one-legged runner.” (SQ) Here is a quote from Terry himself, “I remember promising myself that should I live I would prove myself deserving of life.” (SQ) That quote shows how confident Terry Fox was of himself and that he reached his goal; that is a true role

model.

Terry Fox’s contributions towards cancer research are unquestionable. Terry Fox had promised himself from a young age that he was going to prove that he was deserving of life, (PARA) and without a doubt he has. Through the annual Terry Fox Run held every year across Canada, $650 million has been raised for cancer research. (SUMM) All this has begun with one young man with a big heart; Terry Fox.
"When I started this run, I said that if we all gave one dollar, we’d have $22 million for cancer research, and I don’t care man, there’s no reason that isn’t possible. No reason!” (LQ)
With that mind set, Terry Fox contributed more than he can ever imagine.

In Conclusion, the cancer that cost Terry his leg and his choice to run across Canada to contribute money for cancer so others may live, had won the hearts of millions of people. (PARA) Which made him a true role model. Terry Fox was without a doubt deserving of life and Canada’s true hero.