Inspirational Lessons from Terry Fox


Terry Fox is an inspirational hero in Canada. His story I believe is worth sharing with the wider world.

Terry Fox was born in 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but grew up in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Terry Fox was a regular guy, but at the age of 18 he was diagnosed with bone cancer which meant the amputation of his right leg 6 inches above the knee. Tragic, but what makes Terry special is that rather than submit to self-pity he decided to devote his life to making a difference.

While recovering in hospital Terry was deeply affected by the plight of other cancer sufferers, many of them children. Touched by the story of an amputee athlete he decided that he would run across Canada to raise awareness, and funds, to combat this terrible disease. He called his run the “Marathon of Hope”

Terry began his epic journey by dipping his artificial limb in the Atlantic at St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. Sadly his run ended in Thunder Bay, Ontario on September 1, 1980 after the cancer had spread to his lungs. Terry ran an average of a marathon – 42 kilometers, 26 miles – every day for 143 days.

Terry passed away in June 1981, one month short of his 23rd birthday. However, four months earlier he achieved his dream of raising one dollar from every Canadian. Terry Fox remains a Canadian hero, inspiring numerous events each year.

The heroic Canadian was gone but his legacy was just beginning.At the time of writing over $400 million had been raised for cancer research.

He is considered one of Canada’s greatest hero of the 20 th century and is celebrated internationally every September as people participate in the Terry Fox Run, the world’s largest one day fundraiser for cancer research.

To learn more about Terry, or to donate to Terry’s fund, visit The Terry Fox Foundation

Why is Terry Important?

A statue of Terry Fox stands in the grounds of Simon Fraser University. 
A sad story, sure. Inspiring, certainly. But why is Terry Fox featured on a Web site concerned with Make money online ?

Inspiration, Belief, Faith, Dream…….These are the foundation pillars of a successful entrepreneur.

“I don’t feel that this is unfair. That’s the thing about cancer. I’m not the only one, it happens all the time to people. I’m not special. This just intensifies what I did. It gives it more meaning. It’ll inspire more people. I just wish people would realize that anything’s possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try” – Terry Fox

“When I started this run, I said that if we all gave one dollar, we’d have $22 million for cancer research, and I don’t care man, there’s no reason that isn’t possible. No reason!” – Terry Fox

The Power of Belief

Henry Ford said “Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.”

If you want enough, believe enough, dream enough and try enough anything is possible. If you think negative you won’t even try, and so your accomplishment will be zero. If you think positive you will try your best, maybe you’ll achieve your goal and make it big.

Terry Fox ran an average of a marathon – 42 kilometers, 26 miles – every day for 143 days with one prosthetic leg to create awareness for Cancer. How far will you go, what will you do to achieve your dream, How many hours a day will you work to make your business successful.

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25 comments

Vicky Dangi September 14, 2008 - 1:19 pm
Very inspirational, thanks for this post
Go2Fish September 14, 2008 - 1:23 pm
Being successful is all about TIMING - In your case is PERFECT TIMING you ve scored full marks on this - Terry Fox Run starts this afternoon. Great post once again. Very Inspirational indeed
Online Dividends September 14, 2008 - 1:28 pm
That's very inspirational as well. Thanks for sharing!
Bruno Auger September 14, 2008 - 3:00 pm
I actually got to meet Terry Fox when I was very young. He ran through my home town and the town had a little ceremony to give him a check and a plaque. It was a great experiwnce and it i'l never forget it. He is a true inspiration too us all Bruno Augers last blog post..Affiliate Marketing Online Program
ZK@WebTrafficROI September 14, 2008 - 3:58 pm
Hi Bruno : Meeting Terry Fox must have been an awesome experience, he is truely an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for sharing your experience with WebTrafficROI readers.
CoolProducts September 17, 2008 - 2:08 pm
It always blows my mind to hear of these great individuals who accomplish such incredible feats, especially when they are as young as conflicted as Terry. At the age of 21 I personally have trouble going to class in the morning; I cannot believe he was able to perform such a task that was not only incredibly hard to do, running 26 miles a day for 143 days while suffering cancer and having a prosthetic leg, and on top of all that, creating so much good from this feat. Thanks for this post, it was a refreshing read!
Tom - StandOutBlogger.com September 17, 2008 - 11:10 pm
Stories like this really inspire you. Thanks for sharing it with us! Tom - StandOutBlogger.coms last blog post..Why You Need To Keep Track Of Your Affiliate Programs
rummuser September 20, 2008 - 12:12 am
ZK, That is a very inspiring story. I knew something about TF as my dear friend's grand son succumbed to cancer in Canada a couple of years ago. The way the Canadian system and people responded during the young lad's suffering and treatment, as well as the support extended to the family should be emulated by all countries and peoples of the world. My friend is in India but wishes that he could live in Canada with his son and his family. I like your blog and hope to visit often. My problem is that I have not yet monetized my blog and do not even know how to go about it. I hope that I learn something from you. rummusers last blog post..Advantage Of Being In Debt.
rummuser September 20, 2008 - 12:13 am
Incientally, I have subscribed to your RSS feed. rummusers last blog post..Advantage Of Being In Debt.
Matt | Small Business Entrepreneur September 20, 2008 - 1:46 am
I read about Terry Fox when I was just a little kid, about 4-5, and I've never forgotten his story for some reason. Very inspirational, thanks for posting this and reminding me about Terry again. Matt
free web directory September 20, 2008 - 12:11 pm
Henry Ford said "Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right." Very good inspiration from him
ZK@WebTrafficROI September 21, 2008 - 11:28 am
Hi Cool Products : Its a very inspirational story. Hi Rammuser : You can keep visiting this blog to know how to monetise your site or blog. Hi Matt : This is one story of inspiration that ranks high on my list
M. Pence October 2, 2008 - 3:18 pm
As a Nova Scotian born, it was wonderful to see this post. It brought back so many memories as a high school kid--getting ready for the Terry Fox run and getting sponsored. He was truly a great man, thank you. M. Pences last blog post..Two phat geek’s simple secrets to a happy marriage.
Joan Yankowitz October 16, 2008 - 5:23 pm
Your post brings warm memories. In 1983, I wrote a novelization of "The Terry Fox Story" for Scholastic Corp's CO-ED Magazine. (I was Managing Editor at the time). I also interviewed Eric Fryer, who played Terry in the movie. Eric had also lost a leg to cancer and told me how inspired he had been by Terry's story. Thanks so much for the post. Joan Yankowitzs last blog post..What I’m Doing to Keep My Internet Marketing Business Profitable Now
ZK October 16, 2008 - 7:58 pm
Hi M. Pence : I am glad you liked the post Hi Joan : Welcome to the community , hope to see you here often. The movie must been a great experience. I am happy to have brought back great memories with this post :)
Libby - Swiss Replica Watch March 4, 2009 - 9:01 am
I guess the response on this kind of question “Why is Terry Important?” is quite obvious. At least you have attempted all you possible efforts and have don’t all your best to make it feel important even for that aliens that we are. I consider this post to be the most encouraging one.
Runlikeh3ll@Runner's Blog March 9, 2009 - 8:50 pm
Wow, inspirational indeed - How have I never heard of this guy before? Thanks for the info.
replica watches March 17, 2009 - 7:41 pm
Gosh, where has this guy been.Thanks for the update.
gas card June 16, 2009 - 8:58 pm
Wow you are right this guy is definitely somebody to look up to. His "Marathon of hope" is absolutely incredible! This guy ran a marathon each day! That is just amazing and no words can state how inspiring and incredible that is. It's a show of extreme determination, and it proves that you shouldn’t let anything stop you from going out and doing something. -Randy
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priya@children sleepwalking February 13, 2010 - 4:47 pm
its been really great inspiration which i get here and now i understand if man want to do the impossible then nobody can stop him to make it possible. keep it up
shane@children sleepwalking March 8, 2010 - 2:37 pm
Terry Fox is truly inspirational...
jenny@symptoms of breast cancer May 11, 2010 - 10:55 am
I'm writing an article on cancer, which is what I was originally doing research for when I came across your blog post. There are so many health issues out there that people are dealing with, I had no idea! This is solid information, thank you.
Green Web Directory October 1, 2010 - 11:07 pm
it is really a inspirational story. Brave guy :)
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