When the cyclists stopped in front of Terry Fox’s National Historic Monument in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the sound of the cheers decreased in a moment of silence.
Then the tears came.
27 years have passed since Darrell Fox stayed for the last time under the statue of his older brother.
Terry Fox was 18 when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, known as bone cancer, in 1977. His right leg was amputated just above his knee.
In April 1980, he immersed his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean and began his trip throughout the country to raise money for cancer investigation. However, his hope marathon was interrupted on the outskirts of Thunder Bay, when his cancer extended to his lungs.
Terry Fox died in June 1981 when he was 22 years old. Now, 45 years after his trip began throughout the country, his younger brother Darrell Fox and seven other cyclists travel from Vancouver to St. John’s in his memory, with the aim of raising $ 1 million this summer.
To date, more than $ 900 million have been raised in the name of Terry through the annual Terry Fox race.
“I thought it was invincible. I didn’t think anything could stop Terry Fox. He ran 42 kilometers every day in an artificial leg,” Darrell Fox told CBC News during Monday’s visit in the city of northwest Ontario.
“He took a long time, a decade when he was fleeing the Marathon of Hope instead of accepting and hugging him.”
The National Ride of Hope began on June 9 in Vancouver and has already raised more than $ 950,000. Cyclists have been visiting communities along the way to listen to the stories of the played by Terry Fox’s trip.
“I never tire of them,” said Darrell Fox. “I have been absorbing Terry Fox stories of those who have not only been inspired by Terry, but have gone through cancer and [are] On the other hand, and feel grateful for the investment we have made in cancer investigation. “
‘I was empowered by Terry today’
Dozens of people went into the monument to meet Darrell Fox and his team, including Gloria Nacinovic.
She remembers when Terry Fox went through Red Rock after finishing her treatment for cancer for lymphoma, and brought a poster signed by him to Monday’s meeting.
“I went up, I introduced myself and said: ‘I understand why you are doing this and thanks,'” he recalled. “He was very kind and his entourage was very kind.”
Seeing Darrell Fox and his team in Thunder Bay “is a true Terry testimony and people who are close to Terry and other survivors.”
“It is surprising to see this marathon continues,” Nacinovic said.
Before arriving at the monument, cyclists rode under a pink pallet arch, supported by members of the dragons of hope.
The breast cancer survivors team row to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide support to survivors.
“We call this the best team that you never want to join,” said Robyn Czerwinski member, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.
“I was nine when Terry did not reach Thunder Bay. He was a school boy who was waiting to go up to a school bus to go to the road, to be next to the road to cheer him up, and that did not happen, and it is a central memory,” he shared.
Being able to meet Darrell Fox in such a special place was an honor, he said, especially because the need for cancer research continues.
The councilor of the city of Thunder Bay, Dominic Pasqualino, has lost two sisters against cancer. One died at 26 for breast cancer, and another beat breast cancer, but was then diagnosed with a sarcoma and died at age 58.
“I have two locally relatives who are fighting cancer at this time, and it is difficult,” said Pasqualino. “I have two grandchildren. I would like to see them being able to be alive and say: ‘Yes, cancer is beat'”.
Going to the crowd in the monument, Darrell Fox admitted that he was not sure to continue the walk beyond Thunder’s bay, where his brother was forced to finish his trip.
But just before Monday’s trip began, the storm that had threatened his progress disappeared.
“That was Terry’s message to move on and stay strong,” said Darrell Fox. “Terry empowered me today. I’m ready to find my way to St. John’s.”
It is planned that the National Ride of Hope ends on July 10 in Terranova and the capital of Labrador.
