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Fred Fox, the older brother of Canadian icon Terry Fox, is continuing to share the impact on cancer patients 45 years after he passed.
"My dad was born and raised here [Winnipeg], Terry and I, our siblings were born here," says Fred Fox, Terry's older brother. "My mom was born in Boissevain. We moved west in the 60s, but it's always nice to come back to our home province."
Terry is a Canadian icon and hero for many across the country. However, especially before he got cancer, Fred shares how life was normal.
"When we were growing up, it was just like any other sibling. I am 14 months older. He was a bit of a pain growing up. Once he was diagnosed with cancer and running the marathon of hope, Terry has been a huge Canadian legacy."
Terry was 18 years old when he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, and the doctors amputated his leg. He decided to use this malady to help others battling cancer, and in April of 1980, Terry started his Marathon of Hope. His goal was to raise one dollar for every Canadian for cancer research, and to push himself, he was aiming to run the entire length of Canada. Terry ran a marathon a day for almost 150 days, rain, snow, or sun. Outside of Thunder Bay, with the cancer taking over, Terry had to stop, and at the young age of 22, Terry passed away.
"When I share Terry's story, I often tell students and other people that, in 1977, when he was diagnosed, we didn't know what cancer was. Terry had to take 16 months of chemotherapy. He saw others going through the same thing, and that's what inspired him to do what he did. Getting cancer made him a more caring person."
Fred was recently in Manitoba on behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation. Part of his time in the province included meeting Terry's Team Members, people who have or are currently battling cancer.
"Meeting them, over the years, we've met so many people who've had cancer and are living today. It's amazing for somebody to come up to you and say, 'My son, or my mom is here today because of what Terry did in 1980, and because of the research. It's what it's all about."
The 45th annual Terry Fox Run will be held across the country on September 14.
"The Terry Fox Run is about participating, getting out there, walking or running. The key is to raise money and that's what it's all about for impacting cancer research. Part of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centre Network is having researchers from right across Canada collaborating, sharing data and information; it's never happened before."
Hitting the Big Screen
A new documentary of Terry's life and his Marathon of Hope, called Run Terry Run, is coming out soon.
"The announcement was made. It's going to be launched in Toronto on November 10. It's amazing because we discovered some new footage of Terry that had never been found before. To a point where, if it hadn't been discovered in 5-10 years, it probably would have deteriorated."
The special advanced screening will be held at Roy Thomson Hall with a live score performed by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. After that, the foundation will announce when the rest of Canada, and the world, can view it.