Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope lives on in Northern Ontario
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope marches on 41 years later.
In 1980, Fox set off on his run across Canada raising money for cancer research. Decades later, people are still walking and running for the cause.
“Terry would be so proud of how Canadians have responded,” his older brother, Fred Fox, told CTV News.
“He said in an inspiring and compassionate speech that ‘Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.’”
In North Bay, the annual Terry Fox Run took place virtually. A small group gathered at the waterfront to collection donations and sell t-shirts.
“My father is a survivor and I have an uncle who just recently gone through diagnoses treatment,” said North Bay Terry Fox Run co-ordinator Carla Tucker. “He’s got a clean bill of health now.”
Over the last decades, Canadians have raised over $850 million for cancer research and treatment. Locally, the North Bay chapter generates about $30,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
“Normally we have about 100 people minimum that turn up,” said Tucker. “COVID-19 hasn’t affected cancer. Cancer has been affected by COVID-19. We’re still desperately reminding people that people are still being diagnosed and still going through treatment.”
The Terry Fox Run in North Bay has taken place for the last 37 years.
Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians are expected to develop cancer during their lifetime and a quarter of Canadians succumb from the disease.
“Terry’s sacrifice and the running he did, 42 kilometres every single day has had an impact. It’s made a difference,” said Fox.
Fox says Terry’s family is so appreciative people are continuing Terry’s advocacy in hopes of one day finding a cure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street