Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports,
Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with oestrogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.
While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.
After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with 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 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada’s Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (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 22.
The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning.
To date, over $600 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.
15th Terry Fox Run Mumbai 2013:
This year in India (Mumbai) the Terry Fox Run was organised on 3rd
March 2013.Terry Fox Run was started from Trident Hotel Nariman Point. The participants were from different age groups though maximum numbers of school students were involved. Their parents and teachers were also part of Terry Fox Run as motivators and supporter for the cause. Dr Rajendra Badwe, Dr Shripad Banavali, Dr Brijesh Arora along with other physician and patients from the Tata Memorial Hospital were a part of this run. Bollywood actors also gave their valuable presence for Terry Fox Run to support the cause. Bollywood’s new talent Amit Sadh and noted singer Raageshwari flagged off the Run with support from Mr Gul Kripalani who is the convener of the Terry Fox Committee.
There were more than 500 students from different parts of Mumbai. Children were motivated and awareness provided about the importance of the cause.
Every group had put up their banner and made their slogans. All participants had made the morning very special with their enthusiasm. The spirit of these young kids was worth a watch. Children completed the run and reached to the end line that was Brabourne stadium.
Schools had generated funds for the cause to support the Tata Memorial Hospital’s research centre. Hon Health Minister Dr Suresh Shetty gave his valuable presence for the felicitation ceremony. Schools and organisations that participated generated Rs1.60 crore for Tata Memorial Hospital’s Research Centre. Hon Health Minister also announced that Tata hospital is being facilitated with 5 acres of land from Government of Maharashtra.
FOM has been participating in the run for the last 8 years. Most of the FOM Volunteers have been participating in the event on regular basis. This year on 3rd March our 19 FOM volunteers got together at 7am at Marine Drive. We also had Volunteers joining from Pune which is neighboured city. The FOM volunteers were involved in coordinating with Terry Fox Run team and distributed snacks for all participants. Like other meetings Terry Fox Run is also becoming an important event for our FOM members.
Terry Fox Run was a successful event to reach out to the cause of Cancer.
By-
Saurabh Manjrekar, MAX India