The great hall of fame baseball star, Jackie Robinson once said, “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” It’s easy, especially in today’s tumultuous world, to fall into the trap of feeling powerless, trivial, or insignificant. But, in fact, within each of us there is an unimaginable capacity to impact and even change the world, yet our setbacks and our fears too often overwhelm our ability to recognize and unleash that capacity. When circumstances seem so overwhelming that you find yourself drowning in a morass of self-imposed insignificance, consider others who have had to overcome so much more. Consider, even, those who seemingly had little or no hope, yet still battled on and made a difference. Think about people like Terry Fox.
He was born on July 28, 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His parents, Rolland and Betty Fox quickly noticed that Terry was persistent in anything he attempted. Even as a toddler, he seemed to embrace every sport and he developed early a deep competitive spirit. He hated to lose in any endeavor. His early passion was basketball, but he really wasn’t too good at it. He was a bit short for his age and when he reached the eighth grade, his physical education teacher suggested that he concentrate on another sport because of his small stature. Still Terry persisted. Gradually, with dedication and practice, he became good enough to make the basketball team by the ninth grade. Then, Terry, along with his best friend, Doug Alward, were named “Co-athletes of the Year” as high school seniors.
In 1976, Terry began his college freshman year at Simon Fraser University. He chose Kinesiology, the science of body movement, as his major. His aspiration was to become a physical education teacher. He also tried out for, and made, the basketball team. Life was good.
Then in 1977, Terry ‘s life changed. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. In an effort to stop its spread, doctors were forced to amputate Terry’s right leg about six inches above his knee. He was fitted with an artificial leg and was told that his chances of survival were at best fifty percent. Never having been one to give up, despite his undergoing months of grueling treatment at the British Columbia Cancer Control Agency, Terry maintained a positive attitude and his confidence bolstered both his doctors and other patients. In fact, the only thing that seemed trouble Terry was the suffering he witnessed of the other cancer patients. He resolved then and there that when he recovered, he would do something to help them.
One day at the treatment center, he came across a magazine article about an amputee that had run the New York City Marathon. Terry was inspired! He began formulating a plan to run the entire length of Canada as a means of positively motivating other cancer patients, increasing cancer awareness among the general population, and raising money for cancer research.
In 1979, Terry began an intense and rigorous training regimen in preparation for his goal to run across Canada. He actually ran more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) during this training period. He also sent a letter to the Canadian Cancer Society stating his intentions and requesting that the organization sponsor his Canada run. Initially, the society was skeptical and would not commit, but eventually they did agree to support Terry once he found other sponsors. Terry also wrote letters to corporate entities asking for their financial support by underwriting and sponsoring the shoes, a van and other costs associated with his quest. Ford Motors, Imperial Oil Corporation and Adidas shoes stepped up in answer to Terry’s request. Even his family contributed to Terry’s funding by conducting garage sales and benefit dances.
In April of 1980, Terry began his “Marathon of Hope’ by dipping his foot in the Atlantic Ocean. His high school best friend, Doug Alward, accompanied him as the van’s driver. Terry ran about 43 kilometers (27 miles) every day. He was committed to maintaining that pace throughout his journey, although he was beaten down by strong winds, torrential rains, blizzards, and even the lack of enthusiastic crowds as he ventured through many of the Canadian towns he passed through. But, when he approached Port aux Basques, Newfoundland his sagging spirits soared as he learned that 10,000 citizens had donated more than $10,000 to his cause and many lined the road cheering him on. That was the exception, however, and as the days passed by, Terry became more and more disheartened as he learned that donations had been reduced to a trickle of dollars. Then Isadore Sharp, the CEO of a chain of hotels and resorts, whose son had succumbed to melanoma, injected new life into Terry’s quest by publically announcing that he would donate $2 for every mile Terry completed. Sharp also used his contacts and influence to convince nearly a thousand other companies to do the same.
After passing through Ontario with growing crowds, recognition and even more donations, Terry finally reached Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. Here amid intense media coverage, Terry met the Governor General and the Prime Minister and attended many gatherings put on by a growing allegiance of fans and well-wishers. Terry Fox was becoming a national hero. When he reached Toronto, marking the completion of about a third of his intended journey, Terry was met by massive and rapturous crowds. Some Canadian celebrities including NHL Hockey stars joined him for a portion of his run resulting in over $100,000 in donations being made on just that day.
The journey was taking its toll. His relentless running caused shin splints, an inflamed knee, tendonitis, cyst formations and dizziness. Despite the increasing pain and advice from family, friends and his doctors that he should slow down, Terry continued running at the same pace. Then on September 1, 1980, he suffered chest pains and unremitting coughing spells while running through Ontario Province. He tried running through the pain, but ultimately he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors found that Terry’s cancer had returned and had now spread to his lungs. He announced their findings at a news conference the next day and returned to his home in British Columbia for further treatment. Thus ended Terry’s Marathon of Hope. Well, sort of.
During his run, Terry had managed to generate over $1.7 million in donations – a remarkable feat. Soon after he was forced to quit, the CTV Television Network organized a fundraiser for his cause. It was supported by a host of Canada’s most popular celebrities and sports figures. It raised more than $10.5 million in donations in just five hours.
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope across the length of Canada spanned 143 days during which he ran 5,373 kilometers (nearly 3,340 miles). By virtue of his sheer spirit and determination, the event acquired national and subsequently international attention and raised in excess of $24 million for cancer research. Little spunky Terry Fox, despite the formidable obstacles he endured, never gave up… but neither did his cancer.
On June 28, 1981 after falling into a coma, Terry Fox, just one month shy of his 23rd birthday, took his last earthly breath.
Despite the short tenure of Terry’s light, how much darker would the world have been had his brief flame never flickered at all?
After his death, the first Terry Fox Run was organized by businessman Isadore Sharp and the Fox family. It was created to continue raising money for cancer research. It continues to be held every year and has become an international event in which runners from all over the world participate. Rick Hansen, a Paralympic athlete took inspiration from Terry’s quest and embarked on a tour himself, called Man in Motion World Tour. He went around the earth in his wheelchair travelling through 34 countries and raising over $26 million. Even today, some 35 years after his passing, when Canadians are polled as to which athlete they most revere Terry Fox is consistently named in the top five.
That, my dear friends, is what living a significant life is all about!
“Opportunities will come and go, but if you do nothing about them, so will you.” ? Richie Norton, The Power of Starting Something Stupid: How to Crush Fear, Make Dreams Happen, and Live without Regret
Note: I will be out of town next week on business. As such, I will not be posting my regular Weekend Inspiration next Friday.
Have an AWE-full Weekend!
William J. “Bill” Bacqué