Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope Apr. 12, 1980
Terry Fox began his run across Canada, April 12, 1980, by dipping his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean.
I want to set an example that will never be forgotten
Terry
Terry ran 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), making it to Thunder Bay Ontario before cancer returned, forcing him to stop his run.
Marathon of Hope Commemoration
Issued by Canada Post in 1982 shortly after Terry’s death
Designer: Friedrich G. Peter
Marathon of Hope
Part of the Millennium Collection
Issued by Canada Post in 2000
Designer: Ken Fung
Terry died on June 28, 1981 at the age 22. This bold and courageous Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning. To date, over $900 million has been raised for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.
Learn about Terry Fox