Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. Having been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Fox had to have his right leg amputated. In 1980 he began a quest to run the length of Canada in order to raise funds for cancer research. Called the “Marathon of Hope”, the run lasted 143 days until Fox was forced to abandon it as the cancer had spread to his lungs.
In celebration of Terry Fox's resilient spirit, people all over the world have been taking part in what are now known as Terry Fox Runs. The event is today the world's largest single-day event for raising cancer-research funds.