Terry Fox: Canadian Role Model

557 Words2 Pages

There are currently many famous people all around the world as well as in the past and throughout all of Canadian history, but only one person comes into mind; his name is Terry Fox. Despite having a mechanical leg, Terry Fox has made more difference than any other average person. Terry Fox was a great Canadian because he was an extraordinary athlete, role model and contributor.

Terry Fox is one of the greatest athletes in all of Canadian history in his effort to attempt to run all across Canada. Terry Fox’s main objective was to raise money for cancer research. He was a very brave man and by attempting to run all across Canada was his way of showing people that he still had fight in him.
After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) to prepare. Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran close to 42 kilometers (26 miles) a day through Canada’s Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3, 339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and …show more content…

He was a son to all the elders, a big brother to all the kids and a friend to everyone. All of the kids loved Terry, back then and now. (PARA) A Scarborough newspaper in 1980 read, “Terry Fox invaded Scarborough last Friday and his well-publicized jog across Canada saw 2000 people turn up at the Civic Centre to greet him and encourage the 21 year old one-legged runner.” (SQ) Here is a quote from Terry himself, “I remember promising myself that should I live I would prove myself deserving of life.” (SQ) That quote shows how confident Terry Fox was of himself and that he reached his goal; that is a true role

Show More
Related

  • How Did Wayne Gretzky Affect Hockey

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    Wayne Gretzky played a huge role in hockey history. He was a role model for many people who watched the NHL and played hockey across America as well as in Canada. His early years and his determination lead him to where he is today. All of his hard work throughout his life paid off in his great success over his career. Gretzky was the greatest hockey player ever to play in the NHL, his integrity and persistence set the bar for many players today and also influenced the way the game was played. His career started when he was very young, he won many awards and broke several records which ended with him changing the way many viewed the game all together.

    Read More

  • Chris Hadfield's Influence To Canada

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chris Hadfield was a small town boy that became a celebrity through hard work and using what he learned to his advantage. Chris Hadfield managed to increase the popularity of the career choice of an astronaut, help Canada build its own space agency and was a leading pioneer in the exploration of space for Canada. To conclude, Chris Hadfield has accomplished many things that and has proven that he is very important to

    Read More

  • Tommy douglas

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tommy Douglas was a remarkable Canadian whose contributions have helped to shape our nation. During his forty two years in politics, Tommy Douglas proved himself to be an outstanding Canadian leader. He is largely responsible for our central banking, old age pensions, unemployment insurance, and our universal medicare. Though he never became Prime Minister, he is highly regarded by the general public. Tommy Douglas was one of the greatest Canadians that ever lived.

    Read More

  • General Sir Arthur Currie

    1958 Words  | 4 Pages

    Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie was the most capable soldier that Canada has produced. Certainly, he did not look like the great soldier he had become. A very tall man, at six-foot-four, he was also somewhat overweight. Through his successes as the Commander of the Canadian Corps, he knew how to delegate authority and stand by the decisions of his subordinates.

    Read More

  • Pierre Trudeau and Quebec

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Just watch me.”Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau said in 1970. He meant it as he fought to keep Quebec a part of Canada. Not only did he do that, he managed to be prime minister for 16 years, as well as being Canada’s youngest leader at the time. He brought greater civil rights to Canadians, Quebec citizens mainly. His charismatic personality matched his innovative ideas, that enhanced Canada for the better. For his entire political career, not only did Canada watch him, the whole world watched him change the country for the better. He made a radical change to Canada by championing the idea of officially implementing bilingualism. Trudeau was a trailblazer from the moment he was elected.

    Read More

  • Lester B. Pearson's Impact on Canada

    759 Words  | 2 Pages

    Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson was a prominent figure in Canada in the 1960s. Pearson was Canada's most significant post WWII prime minister because of his government's many innovations that still benefit Canadians today. He fostered Canadian nationalism, which continues to the present day, promoted equality throughout Canada – equality that now thrives as part of Canada's identity – and he introduced many social services that are still implemented today.

    Read More

  • Terry Fox

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Canadian history there are many famous people. In my mind one really stands out among the rest. His name is Terry Fox and he is one of the greatest athlete to run on the face of this planet. Terry discovered he had cancer and then decided to run across Canada. He was a brave man who would take what the world through at him. Running across Canada was his way to show the world that he was not going out with out a fight.

    Read More

  • 20th Century Canada History Essay

    912 Words  | 2 Pages

    The history of Canada was flooded with many influential and incredible events, particularly during World War 1 and World War 2. During the 20th century, Canada got more involved in worldwide events. It was a very important period for Canada; it was where they gained their independence and progressed as a country. After this century, Canada was considered an important and powerful country. The three main 20th century events in Canadian history are the battle of Vimy Ridge, the change of woman’s rights and the battle of Juno Beach.

    Read More

  • Greatest Canadian: Pierre Trudeau

    1473 Words  | 3 Pages

    Pierre Trudeau is the greatest Canadian of the twentieth century due to the fact that he declared Canada’s independence from Great Britain, he abolished the death penalty, and he created the Official Languages Act, making our nation entirely bilingual.

    Read More

  • Terry Fox

    2001 Words  | 5 Pages

    Terry Fox is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, however he spent his child years in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. Terry was an athletic teenager, participated in various sports. Terry was only 18 years old when the doctors broke the news that he had bone cancer. Thus the doctors were compelled to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres above the knee in 1977. However, Terry Fox over came is amputation with optimism and grace, he was determined to do something with his life. When Terry was recovering in the hospital he was so overwhelmed of all the suffering and bravery by the other cancer patients. He was also inspired by the children cancer patients bravery, that he knew that he too had to be brave. Furthermore prove that his life was worth doing something great with. In the spring of 1977 Terry begins his first steppingstone into showing the world what Canadians are all about. Terry was illuminated with a brilliant idea, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer victims, "The Marathon of Hope" . Terry's next step was to start training for this ambitious project.

    Read More

  • Tommy Douglas

    1363 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tommy Douglas was considered the best Canadian because he was the first to introduce universal hospitalization to North America. Firstly, When Douglas was 10 years old, his leg was infected, and his parents could not afford to amputate his leg. Fortunately, a local surgeon offered to do surgery on his leg if his class was allowed to watch. Douglas stated that this circumstance made him dr...

    Read More

  • The Prime Minister of Canada

    1908 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Prime Minister of Canada is given much power and much responsibility. This could potentially create a dangerous situation if the government held a majority and was able to pass any legislation, luckily this is not the case. This paper will argue that there are many limitations, which the power of the prime minister is subject too. Three of the main limitations, which the Prime Minister is affected by, are; first, federalism, second the governor general and third, the charter of rights and freedoms. I will support this argument by analyzing two different types of federalism and how they impact the power of the Prime Minister. Next I will look at three of the Governor Generals Powers and further analyze one of them. Last I will look at the impact of the charter from the larger participation the public can have in government, and how it increased the power of the courts.

    Read More

  • Louis Riel: Hero or Villain?

    1723 Words  | 4 Pages

    To sum up, Louis Riel was without doubt, a hero. In spite of the mistakes he made, and things he did that might have upset the Canadian government, all of his actions have contributed to Canada’s growth as a nation. He was one of the most important figures in Canadian history, and indeed a true Canadian hero.

    Read More

  • Lamont Folsom Biography

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    On top of running with his athletes he has competed in numerous running events such as the monument 10k, the Henrico festival dash, Suffolk celebration community 5K run/1 mile walk, and the New Year's Day Resolution 10-K, 5-K, or 1-mile trail run. He runs these events to either help for the cause for example donating to the poor, people with cancer, or people with diseases or he just runs just to have fun. Even at 36 years old he is still competing at track meets just recently he just finished competing at the real deal track and field classic at Boo Williams in Suffolk Virginia. He ran the 200-meter dash and he gathered his all-American team from 1999 and ran the four by 200-meter relay one last time. They all had fun reuniting with each other to run again and they won the adult section of the four by 200-meter relay even if they all ran as slow as a week in jail. After he finishes his running he always comes back to the school to help fundraise for the track and field team.

    Read More

  • Terry Fox

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    This is when he wanted to do something for those with cancer, to give them hope. After reading about another man with an amputation that ran a marathon, Terry decided to run across the country to raise awareness for cancer as he had taken up running in his earlier life. He started his training, taking it step by step, slowly increasing the amount he runs per day. Finally, in 1980 he started the Marathon of Hope. He started by dipping his right leg into the Atlantic Ocean in St. Johns, Newfoundland and ran. At first nobody really knew what he was doing or why. He had raised little money and had to fight against extreme conditions. To uplift his spirits a town in Newfoundland donated ten thousand dollars and the CEO of the large company Sharp offered to donate two dollars for every mile Terry ran. Once he made it to Ontario, many knew about his marathon and many often ran with him if they saw him. He met with many of Canadian celebrities including the Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, Bobby Orr and Darryl Sittler. The latter of the 3 donated as well.

    Read More

More about Terry Fox: Canadian Role Model

Open Document