Thread by @Goodable

This weekend, you may have read that Canada’s Terry Fox monument was defaced.

While every news organization is focusing on the culprits, we want to do something different.

We want to tell you about Terry – and why he’s a hero.

A thread 🧵

Terry Fox was an ordinary kid. He loved sports, had a magnetic smile, and wanted to be a teacher.

As a high school student, won his school’s Athlete of the Year Award.

When he was 18, everything changed.

In 1977, Terry was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of cancer, in his knee.

Doctors told him that his leg would have to be amputated, and he would need chemotherapy to help treat the disease.

He was told he had a 50% chance of survival.

But he didn’t lose hope.

Terry’s leg was amputated, and within 3 weeks of receiving a prosthetic leg, Terry was walking again.

Even with a prosthetic leg and months of chemo, Terry stayed positive. He joined a wheelchair basketball team, and went on to win 3 national titles!

Then, he had an idea.

While getting treatment, Terry noticed how little money was dedicated to cancer research.

He wanted to change that, so he decided he would run across Canada to raise cancer awareness.

His goal?

To raise $1 for each of Canada’s 24 Million citizens.

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in Newfoundland. He faced heavy winds, rain, and snow, but he didn’t let it stop him. By the 1/3 mark of his journey, he’d raised $200,000.

From that point, his determination only continued to grow.

In June, Terry crossed into Ontario and was greeted by government officials, athletes, and thousands of fans.

By this point, Terry was running the equivalent of one marathon every day.

A couple of months later, everything would change.

In September, Terry started coughing with intense chest pains and had to go to hospital.

That’s where he got the news that would change everything:

His cancer was back, and it had spread.

After 143 days and 5373 kilometres, Terry was forced to finish his run early — but his cause continued to grow.

At that point, he had raised $1.7 Million, and the donations continued to pour in.

News stations even held a telethon to help raise money.

By April, Terry had raised over $23 Million.

In the following months, he would become the youngest person to receive the Order of Canada and be crowned as Canada’s top athlete.

But those months also came with many hardships.

He spent his last months undergoing chemotherapy to try and treat his cancer, but not all battles are meant to be won.

On June 28th, 1981, Terry passed away, leaving behind an incredible legacy of hope, courage, and perseverance.

Two and a half months after his death, the first ever Terry Fox run was held. More than 300,000 Canadians participated in 760 locations, raising $3.5 Million, for cancer research.

It turned out to be just the beginning.

As of today, Terry Fox inspired runs have taken place in at least 45 countries, raising over $850 worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s memory.

People from Zimbabwe to Pakistan to Japan have now heard his story.

Terry Fox taught us what it means to never give up. That no matter how small you might feel, you can still make a difference.

Terry Fox is the story of Canada.

That’s what his statue represents.

That’s why he matters.