Sep

How many people do something they really believe in?

Filed Under (Special Event) by Mrs. Braidwood on 28-09-2011 and tagged Canadian, determination, fundraiser, hero, inspiration, legacy, run, Terry Fox

This year was the 31st annual Terry Fox Run. Just over 3 decades ago, Terry Fox - a 21 year-old from British Columbia set out to do the impossible. He was going to run across Canada, from Newfoundland to B.C. to raise awareness and money for cancer research. What was even more astounding was that Terry was running with a prosthetic leg having had his right leg amputated 2 years earlier after he was diagnosed with bone cancer.

Why didn’t he just run across B.C.? His mom asked him the same question. He responded by saying it had to be the whole country because it wasn’t just people in B.C. that were being affected by cancer.

On April 12, 1980, Terry dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Canada in St. John’s Newfoundland and began his journey, aptly named The Marathon of Hope. He ran an average of 42 km or 26 miles a day – a full marathon – through rain, gale force winds, and even snow. Before people really understood what he was trying to do, he also braved drivers that tried to run him off the road. It was a grueling journey - both mentally and physically.

In 143 days, he ran 5 373 km through six provinces – Newfoundland, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. By the time he reached Ontario, his efforts were known nationwide and his amazing spirit was being celebrated as Canadians cheered him on from town to town. Sadly, his indomitable spirit was hiding the fact that he was in increasing amounts of pain. On September 1, 1980, he was forced to stop his run because the cancer had returned, but this time in his lungs. He entered treatment immediately, but passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.

Terry’s heroic determination united our country; Canadians from every province and territory were inspired by his compassion, selflessness, and belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

Before our school Terry Fox Run, Division 1 dedicated some time towards thinking of the best words to describe Terry Fox, his efforts, and his legacy. As we continued to learn about him, we also learned that most of us personally know someone who has been affected by cancer. Through Terry’s eyes and our own personal experience, each of us discovered what was going to motivate us on this year’s run.

7 Responses to “How many people do something they really believe in?”

Tristan Says:
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Hi Mrs. Braidwood,

I think you are right. People can do extraordinary things when they really try. I think it was sad that Terry didn’t get to finish his Marathon of Hope. All that he did was truly amazing. I don’t think he realized how awesomely cool he was or how much money he would raise in the end (if there is one).

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- Madeline Says:
  October 27th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
  Hi Tristan,
  
  You are absolutely right, we all can do anything we set our minds to. If Terry was still around he would be going around to schools and telling us all to “Keep moving forward things may look tough now but it will lighten up eventually”.
  
  Does anybody have anything to add to what he would say to us all?
  
  Reply
Kaylee Says:
October 11th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Hi Mrs. Braidwood,

I agree with you “ordinary people can do extraordinary things”. This saying represents Terry Fox in my mind. I think that even though Terry didn’t get to finish the race, it is amazing what he has done and is still doing today.

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Dakota Says:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:14 am
I would have to agree with you. Ordinary people are the ones who change the world, because that’s what always has. I think Terry Fox was one great man. He has changed the world forever if only he could see what he’s done. I think Terry Fox is a great role model and always will be.

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Celina Says:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Hi Mrs.Braidwood I love the saying ‘ordinary people can do extraordinary things’. Terry Fox was an ordinary person that did something extraordinary!

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Matt Says:
October 28th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Hey! It’s Matt here. I thought it was cool that Terry Fox wanted to raise a dollar for every Canadian citizen. I also thought that he was very determined to reach that goal. How many Canadians were there at the time?

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Destiny Says:
March 26th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
I agree, ordinary people can, and always have done extraordinary things. Terry Fox is just one of them, and the fact that what he did is still effecting us, and still raising money.. thirty years later? Incredible!

If I were to do something of that sort.. it would have to be to help out Africans. The people there.. are suffering just as much as they are here. We are all human, and they are no different in my eyes.. even famous people that we pretty much all know.. Katy Perry.. Lady GaGa.. all of those pop stars and such.. why do we all look at them like they are different then us? I mean yes.. we are all different.. but we’re also all human… they are no different.
If you could do something like what Terry Fox did, what would it be?

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