As Manitobans honour the legacy of Terry Fox today, for Axel Argue a 5-year-old from Oakville, Manitoba it's more than that. Terry Fox isn't just a Canadian Hero, he's his hero!
It all started last fall when Axel came home from his kindergarten class at Oakville School with a spark in his eyes and questions on his mind. He had just learned about Terry Fox and was instantly captivated by the young man who ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
"He had a lot of questions about Terry Fox, and he wanted to learn more," said Axel’s mother, Alyssa Argue, a Grade 2 teacher herself at La Verendrye School in Portage la Prairie. "We sat down, watched videos, did some research, and that kind of ignited something in Axel. Ever since then, he's had a love for Terry Fox."
That love has grown into a full-blown admiration. Axel now owns four Terry Fox books, two Terry Fox t-shirts, a pair of Terry Fox running shoes, and has even collected commemorative coins.
This summer, the family is taking a road trip to British Columbia and are hoping to visit a museum in Victoria, featuring Terry Fox memorabilia, like the Ford Econoline van his brother used as a support vehicle for the 1980 Marathon of Hope, or a single sock Terry wore as he ran, a trip Axel is 'quite excited about,' according to his mom.
Alyssa says it's heartwarming to see her son connect so deeply with a national hero.
"He literally talked about Terry Fox for months," she said. "At daycare, with family, everywhere we went, it was Terry Fox this, Terry Fox that. He wanted to know everything."
When asked what makes Terry Fox a hero and where he learned about him, Axel's answer is simple and sincere,
"I learned about him at school, and he was a hero because he had cancer." He also explained why Terry Fox ran across Canada, "He didn't want everybody to get sick."
With help from his mom and his dad Shea, he's come to understand that Terry Fox ran across Canada not just to challenge himself, but to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
The emotional weight of Fox's story isn't lost on Alyssa, who had to navigate tough conversations about illness and death with her young son.
"It's definitely a sensitive topic," she explained. "He asked what happened to Terry's leg, and we talked about cancer and why it was so important that Terry ran to raise money for others. Even though Terry passed away, people still talk about him and what he did. That's what makes him a hero."
For Alyssa, seeing her son so engaged with such a meaningful figure is deeply rewarding both as a parent and as a teacher.
"In the classroom, we hope to inspire students the same way," she said.
Terry Fox is still a hero to many Canadians, and it's incredible that decades later, his story continues to resonate so strongly, especially with this generation.
When schools return in the fall and start preparing for the 45th annual Terry Fox Run which will take place on September 14 and teach them about this Canadian hero, Axel will no doubt be leading the charge, wearing his favourite t-shirt and proudly telling his classmates everything he knows about his hero.
"He's a special kid," said Alyssa. "And we’re just so proud of him."
Terry Fox Day is celebrated in Manitoba on the first Monday in August to commemorate the legacy of the young man whose Marathon of Hope changed the nation. Since Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980, over $900 million has been raised worldwide in his name for cancer research, an enduring legacy that continues to inspire a new generation like Axel Argue.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com.
PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.