More than three decades after Terry Fox inspired a nation with his run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, his brother came to Carleton to speak about Fox’s legacy and a new fundraising initiative by university and college students.
Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, was promoting Terry’s CAUSE (College and University Student Engagement), an initiative by Carleton and seven other universities to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation, Sept. 6 according to a university press release.
“Terry was a university student when he was first diagnosed with cancer at 18 years-old,” Fox said during his speech.
“He did some research on what was available out there for cancer research and discovered that more money needed to be raised,” he said.
Before Terry even left St. John’s, he had run over 5,000 kilometres in training.
“Terry ran one step at a time, one mile at a time,” Fox said.
On Sept. 1, 1980, just outside Thunder Bay, Ont., Terry had to abandon his run when he learned his cancer had returned.
“The Marathon of Hope must continue without me,” Fox remembered Terry saying.
“The Marathon of Hope raised $24-million in 1980, yet Terry was penniless when he returned. But he was rich with the knowledge that he had tried his very best. He had run until he could run no more,” Fox said.
“Here we are $600-million later, 32 years later. Terry would be so proud of Canadians young and older who have continued what he started,” Fox said.
“I went to the club fair at the Ravens’ Nest the other day, and went to the Terry Fox booth and they said Fred Fox was speaking and I couldn’t miss the opportunity,” first-year student Cameron Kent said.
“It’s absolutely inspiring, I’ve been doing the Terry Fox Runs since 1992, my mom was pushing me in a stroller since I was a kid. Everybody is touched by cancer. I’ve lost family members. The hope that it brings and the inspiration is absolutely incredible,” Kent said.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s there was not as much cancer awareness, and Terry and Fred didn’t even know what cancer was until Terry was diagnosed, Fox said.
“It did bring it out in the open a bit more. People were talking about it. They saw this kid running across Canada for cancer research; not only was he raising money but awareness. And I think that made us talk about it and that’s why we are where we’re at today,” Fox said.
Dr. John Bell of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute is also a supporter of Terry’s CAUSE and said the problem with current cancer treatment is that it has many side effects.
“That’s because the cancer treatment itself attacks not only the tumor, but also unfortunately the patient’s tissues, and we see all these side effects,” Bell said. The Terry Fox Foundation wants to find new ways to treat cancer that are more targeted.
This will reduce the side effects as it won’t attack normal tissues, Bell said.
“We’re seeing cancer patients with incredible results. We’re closer but not there yet,” Bell said.
Second-year biology student Justin McKanna uses a wheelchair and said he is inspired by Terry when he works on his strength training at the gym.
“I find my motivation to keep moving forward from Terry Fox and many others. I’m just so inspired by Terry and his brother Fred,” McKanna said.
“It’s not about Terry’s loss but about making a difference in other people’s lives,” Fox said.
This year’s Terry Fox run at Carleton will be held Sept. 16.
