Terry Fox Biography: Cause of Death, Nationality, Parents, Cancer, Wikipedia, Net Worth

Terry Fox is one of Canada’s most beloved and enduring heroes. In 1980, after losing a leg to bone cancer, the 21-year-old set out on a cross-Canada run he called the Marathon of Hope to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

His courage, humility, and single-minded determination captured the hearts of millions and created a legacy that continues to raise funds and inspire people around the world.

Profile Data

• Full Name: Terrance Stanley Fox
• Born: July 28, 1958
• Died: June 28, 1981
• Age: 22 (at the time of death)
• Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Athlete, Humanitarian, Cancer Research Activist
• Parents: Rolly Fox (father), Betty Fox (mother)
• Siblings: Fred Fox, Darrell Fox, Judith Fox

Early life: ordinary beginnings, extraordinary heart

Terrance Stanley “Terry” Fox was born on July 28, 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. An active youth, he loved sports — especially basketball and running — and was known for being competitive, good-natured, and committed to his friends and family. That ordinary athletic upbringing would later form the foundation of his extraordinary plan to run across Canada for cancer research.

Diagnosis, amputation, and the seed of the Marathon of Hope

At age 18, Terry experienced persistent pain in his right leg that followed a minor injury. In 1977 he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and his right leg was amputated about 15 cm (6 inches) above the knee. During the many months he spent in hospital for chemotherapy and recovery, Terry was deeply moved by the suffering he saw in other cancer patients — children and adults alike. He resolved that he could not simply return to the life he had before; instead he would try to do something bold to help others. That resolve grew into the idea of running across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

The Marathon of Hope: plan, pace, and the perilous run

Terry began his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He ran the equivalent of a full marathon most days, often on rough roads and in difficult weather, using a specially fitted prosthetic leg. He hoped to raise one dollar for every Canadian — a simple but audacious goal meant to rally a country. As he crossed provinces, the run drew increasing media attention and local support; ordinary Canadians lined roads and offered food, encouragement, and donations. After 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles) of running, his attempt was forced to stop outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, when cancer was found to have spread to his lungs.

Public reaction and immediate legacy

As news spread that he could no longer continue, Canadians responded with an outpouring of grief, support, and admiration. Fundraising exploded: by the time of his death on June 28, 1981, Terry Fox had raised millions and inspired thousands to carry on his mission. The annual Terry Fox Run began in 1981 and quickly became an international phenomenon — a one-day community event in which millions participate to raise money for cancer research. Over the decades, the efforts carried out in his name have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for research.

Why Terry Fox mattered — the ingredients of his impact

Several factors made Terry’s story so powerful. First was accessibility: Terry framed his run as something that “anyone” could support — he wasn’t asking for hero worship but for small donations that together could add up. Second was authenticity: he was not a polished celebrity but an earnest young man who spoke plainly about suffering and hope. Third was symbolism: a single-legged runner crossing a vast country became a clear, potent image of perseverance and solidarity against a universal enemy: cancer. Finally, the timing and media coverage helped his story spread quickly — and when communities saw him in person, their support intensified and persisted. These elements combined to turn a personal mission into a national movement.

The Terry Fox Foundation and research impact

Following Terry’s death, his family and supporters formalized his mission through organized fundraising and research initiatives. The Terry Fox Foundation (and partner research bodies such as the Terry Fox Research Institute) has funded dozens of research projects, scholarships, and clinical trials, and has prioritized translating donations into tangible research outcomes. The model — combining community fundraising with strategic research investment — helped ensure that Terry’s legacy was more than symbolism; it became a sustained engine for scientific progress and patient benefit.

Memorials, honours, and cultural significance

Across Canada and beyond, Terry Fox is commemorated by statues, plaques, school and street namings, stamps, and museum exhibits. He was posthumously honoured by the Order of Canada and recognized in countless local ceremonies. More subtly, his story has influenced how communities conceive of grassroots fundraising and how individuals can catalyze large-scale social change through determination and simple, clear goals. Annual Terry Fox Runs take place around the world, each one a living memorial and a practical fundraiser.

How the Marathon of Hope continues today

Decades after 1980, the spirit of the Marathon is still alive. The Terry Fox Run remains a global, grassroots event — volunteer-driven, inclusive, and open to people of all ages and abilities. Schools, workplaces, and communities use the run as a chance to teach young people about resilience, to remember those touched by cancer, and to raise funds that go straight into research. The simplicity of Terry’s original idea — run as you can, give what you can — still resonates.

Conclusion

Terry Fox’s life was short, but his legacy is long. What began as one person’s response to suffering became a national movement that changed how Canadians (and many others) think about community, contribution, and hope. The Marathon of Hope showed that individual courage, amplified by collective action, can create enduring institutions and fund real scientific progress. Today the name Terry Fox stands for resilience, compassion, and the belief that ordinary actions can make lasting change.

FAQs

When and where was Terry Fox born?

Terry Fox was born July 28, 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

What was the Marathon of Hope?

The Marathon of Hope was Terry Fox’s cross-Canada run in 1980 to raise money for cancer research. He started in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and ran the equivalent of a marathon most days until he stopped near Thunder Bay when his cancer returned.

How long did Terry Fox run, and how far did he go?

Terry ran for 143 days and covered approximately 5,373 kilometres (about 3,339 miles) before his run was halted.

How much money has been raised in Terry Fox’s name?

The annual runs and related fundraising have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research worldwide.

How can I participate in or support the Terry Fox Run?

Find a local Terry Fox Run at terryfox.org, donate online, or organize a community or school event. Local runs are open to everyone and emphasize participation over competition.