Forty-five years after Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in St. John's, Newfoundland, his mission continues to inspire Canadians of all ages. This year's theme 'Finish It' reflects not the end of a run, but the continuation of the dream, ending the suffering that cancer causes. For Fred Fox, Terry's older brother, the message is as powerful today as it was back in 1980.
During his recent visit to Winnipeg, he reflected on the enduring impact of his brother's legacy.
"In the very beginning, when Terry was diagnosed, he was inspired by kids younger than him who were also battling cancer," said Fred. "And here we are, 45 years later, with new generations, even before they start school, learning about Terry and doing their part to continue what he started."
That new generation includes five-year-old Axel Argue, a young boy from Oakville, Manitoba whose admiration for Terry Fox is deep and heartfelt. Axel recently had the chance to meet Fred Fox in person, a moment that left a lasting impression not only on the young fan but also on Fred himself.
"He was awesome," Axel said with excitement after meeting with Fred. "He was friendly, he was nice, and he signed my books!"
For Axel and his family, the meeting was more than just a chance to meet someone who was close to Terry, it was an emotional connection to a hero. Axel left with a new Terry Fox book, a coin collection, and a head full of new facts. One of his favorite discoveries? That Terry Fox had three different prosthetic legs and didn’t have access to the 'bouncy' high-tech ones we have today.
"Axel had tons of questions," said his mother, Alyssa Argue. "He asked Fred if Terry liked McDonald's as a kid, and the answer was yes! It was so heartwarming to see him so engaged and excited to learn."
Alyssa and her family have formed 'Team Axel' to participate in this year's Terry Fox Run on September 14, aiming to raise $1,000 for cancer research. They've already raised over $750 and are planning to take part proudly in their Terry Fox T-shirts.
For Fred Fox, it's these personal connections that remind him why the Terry Fox Foundation, which has now raised over $900 million for Cancer research remains so important and vital to finding a cure.
"When Terry did his own research in 1977, he found out that not much money was going into cancer research," Fred said. "He wanted his sacrifice to mean something, and today, Canada is leading the way in cancer research because of people like Terry and everyone who supports the runs."
On the back of this year's official Terry Fox T-shirt is an image of Terry running, followed by a crowd of supporters, a symbol of how the run has become a shared journey.
"It's not about finishing Terry's run," explained Fred. "It's about finishing his dream. And that dream was to end the suffering that cancer causes. We're getting closer every year."
Fred recalled how their parents instilled a strong sense of commitment in all their children. "Our mom always told us, 'If you start something, finish it.' That's why Terry pushed so hard, even through the pain."
Though Terry never made it back to British Columbia, he left behind a message that Canadians have carried forward ever since:
"If I can't finish it, I want others to continue my dream." - Terry Fox
That message resonated deeply with Axel's father, Shea Argue.
"I thought it was an incredible opportunity for Axel to meet somebody that was so close to someone he really looks up to," said Shea. "The message that Terry put forth, that if you work hard, you can make a massive difference, is something I hope Axel holds on to."
Across the country, from schools to community runs, Canadians of all ages are stepping up. For Axel, that means sharing his new Terry Fox books at school, proudly telling his classmates about what he's learned, and collecting donations to support cancer research.
"Get out there," urged Fred. "Not just to celebrate what Terry started, but for someone you know who's been impacted by cancer. We all have a connection."
The Terry Fox Foundation's powerful 'Finish It' video reimagines Terry's Marathon of Hope as a collective effort, calling on Canadians to help finish the fight against cancer. The video was released on World Cancer Day; the film features a stripped-back version of the song 'Courage' by The Tragically Hip and uses visual effects to show people from all walks of life joining Terry on his journey. It's both a tribute to his legacy and a call out for help to support cancer research and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre's Network.
From a five-year-old boy who lives in Oakville, Manitoba to the millions of Canadians across the nation, Terry Fox's dream lives on, and the finish line he envisioned is still in sight.
To donate to the Terry Fox foundation and help Axel reach his goal you can donate to Team Axel