"I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to." -Terry Fox
Through cancer, Terry Fox believed in hope. He believed that by hoping for the best no matter how much pain he was in, he could still try to accomplish his dream of running across Canada because he wanted to raise the public awareness of cancer and the money needed to find a cure. . His hopes and dreams were to fight cancer, step by step. He believed that hope was worth fighting for. Hope, is to look forward with desire and reasonable confidence, this is what Terry Fox did, he believed. His journey started when he wanted to run across Canada raising money for Cancer Research, which then lead to his last stop in Thunder Bay, and although he died, his journey still continues with the hope of our hands.
On April 12, 1980 Terry Fox journey began to raise money for cancer research. His journey was to run across Canada to raise money needed to find a cure for cancer.When he dipped his right leg into the Atlantic Ocean and filled two large bottles with water, he intended to keep one of the bottles with him until he finished his run. He would then pour the other one into the Pacific Ocean in recognition that he had finished his 'Marathon of Hope.' Terry Fox said, "It's one thing to run across Canada, but now, people are really going to know what cancer is." Although he was raising money for cancer research, he didn't want people to think that he was just running for himself but also to help those in need with cancer just like him. He proved that no matter what had happened, he would try to lift up people's hopes to help him raise money for cancer. Terry Fox also said, "When I started this run, I said that if we all gave one dollar, we'd have $22 million for cancer research. " He showed that if every Canadian gave one dollar, this might help him raise money and to continue his journey with hope to accomplish his dreams. If everyone did this, the level of finding a cure for cancer might be possible. Although he was feeling pain every day on his 'Marathon of Hope', he still kept going to achieve what he started. By the end of August, Fox felt exhausted in the morning which lead him to stop.
No matter where Fox was through the marathon, his determination was to succeed even with his illness. Terry Fox saw that people were motivating him through the marathon, he was trying his best even if it was his last run. Terry Fox said, "Maybe that's why I've made it as far as I have, 2,521 miles. If I ran to a doctor every time I got a little cyst or abrasion I'd still be in Nova Scotia. Or else I;d never have started. I've seen people in so much pain. The little bit of pain I'm going through is nothing. They can't shut it off, and I can't shut down every time I feel a little sore." He didn't give up just because he was sore. Terry Fox kept going to accomplish his dream of hoping that he could run across Canada not only for himself but for others who are also suffering from cancer. He also said, "People were still lining the road saying, "Keep going, don't give up, you can do it, you can make it, we're all behind you." There was a camera crew waiting to film me. I don't think they even realized that they had filmed my last mile people were still saying, 'You can make it all the way Terry.' I started to think about those comments in that mile too. 'Yeah, I thought, this might be my last one.' Therefore the support of the people, Fox kept going even though he suspected it was his last run, he still kept on going and didn't stop because he felt pain." As he kept going, he tried to be hopeful, lifting his chin up high for what he had accomplished and done. On September 1st, 1980, Terry Fox's last run was outside of Thunder Bay where he needed to stop since he began to cough and feel pain in his chest. Although he had kept going to achieve his hopes, he needed to stop, no matter how much he wanted to finish what he had started. After his hope of overcoming cancer and trying to complete it, his marathon ended nine months later. His hope now lies in other peoples hands to raise money and helping Terry Fox accomplish his goal.
After Terry Fox stopped his 'Marathon of Hope', he died one month after his twenty third birthday. He died on June 28, 1981. Even though Terry Fox's journey is over, all across the world, people are supporting this cause and running to raise money for cancer research. Through his story of running across Canada, no one will ever forget his hope to accomplish his dreams. As his journey still continues, the first Terry Fox run was held in September 1981. More than 300,000 people joined in memory of Terry Fox and raised $3.5 million for finding a cure for cancer. The 'Marathon of Hope' is being supported by schools and other organizations to help support the cause. People still have hope that by supporting Terry Fox they can make a difference by raising money for cancer research. As Mr Shaps, a man who lost his son to melanoma in 1978 just a year after Terry's diagnosis, said, “Terry did not lose his fight, perhaps he finished all he had to. Terry is like a meteor passing in the sky, one whose light travels beyond our view, yet still shines in the darkest night.” This shows that Terry Fox will always be with us, through his 'Marathon of Hope' By giving everyone hope to believe they can make a difference if they fight for it.
Through day and night Terry Fox ran to raise money for cancer research. Fox will always be remembered for his bravery and confidence, setting up a goal for himself and hoping for the best. He started the run across Canada, stopped in Thunder Bay because he couldn't go anymore, but his journey still continues with us every step of the way. Terry Fox's hopes and dreams lie in our hands to make a difference in the world.
