The Boy Who Ran 42km for 143 Days on One Leg to Fight Cancer

Arturo Perozo
3 min readJun 2, 2023
Image from EL PAÍS

In the annals of human resilience and determination, one name stands out — Terry Fox. This remarkable individual captured the hearts of millions with his audacious goal of raising funds for cancer research through his Marathon of Hope. Join us on a whirlwind tour of Terry Fox’s awe-inspiring journey as we explore the incredible impact he made and the legacy he left behind.

A Dream and a Determined Spirit

Terry Fox, a young Canadian athlete, was diagnosed with bone cancer at the tender age of 18. Undeterred by this devastating news, he set out on an unprecedented mission: to run across Canada and raise money for cancer research. Starting from St. John’s, Newfoundland, on April 12, 1980, Terry embarked on his Marathon of Hope, covering an astonishing 5,373 kilometers in just 143 days.

Image from Institute of Cancer Research

A Nation United

As Terry ran, his story resonated with people across the nation. Canadians from all walks of life were inspired by his determination and unwavering spirit. Communities rallied together, organizing fundraisers, cheering him on, and donating generously to his cause. Terry’s…

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Arturo Perozo

Im a Chef, Krav Maga practitioner/enthusiast and a Writer. I know, weird combination. Not a native english speaker and writer, so feel free to correct me.