Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist who became internationally known for his 1980 Marathon of Hope. After losing his right leg to osteogenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, Fox set out to run across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research. He ran more than 5,300 kilometres in 143 days before the cancer spread to his lungs and forced him to stop.
Fox was only 22 when he died in 1981, but the fundraising campaign he began continued after his death. His original goal was to raise $1 for every Canadian, and by February 1981, the Marathon of Hope fund had reached $24.17 million. The annual Terry Fox Run later developed into an international fundraising movement supporting cancer research.
More than four decades after his death, Terry Fox remains one of Canada’s most recognizable figures. His story continues to receive international attention through documentaries, annual runs, memorials and cancer research initiatives established in his name. In 2026, renewed interest in his story has accompanied the release of the documentary Run Terry Run and continuing coverage of his enduring impact.
Terry Fox Profile Summary
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Terrance Stanley Fox |
| Date of birth | July 28, 1958 |
| Place of birth | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Date of death | June 28, 1981 |
| Age at death | 22 |
| Cause of death | Cancer that spread to his lungs |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Profession | Athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist |
| Education | Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School; Simon Fraser University |
| Famous for | Marathon of Hope |
| Cancer diagnosis | Osteogenic sarcoma |
| Amputation | Right leg, above the knee |
| Marathon of Hope distance | 5,373 kilometres |
| Marathon of Hope duration | 143 days |
| Marathon of Hope start | April 12, 1980 |
| Marathon of Hope end | September 1, 1980 |
| Parents | Betty Fox and Rolly Fox |
| Siblings | Fred, Darrell and Judith Fox |
| Marital status | Never married |
| Children | None |
| Awards and honours | Companion of the Order of Canada, Canadian Athlete of the Year, Canada’s Walk of Fame |
Terry Fox Early Life
Terrance Stanley Fox was born on July 28, 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Betty and Rolly Fox. His family moved to Surrey, British Columbia, when he was a child and later settled in Port Coquitlam. He grew up with his siblings Fred, Darrell and Judith.
Fox was active in sports from a young age. He played basketball, soccer and other sports, although basketball became particularly important to him. He was not initially regarded as an exceptional basketball player, but his determination helped him improve considerably.
At Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School, Fox became a dedicated athlete and continued playing basketball despite his relatively small stature. His interest in sport would later become central to the physical and mental discipline he developed while preparing for the Marathon of Hope.
Terry Fox Education
Terry Fox attended Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School in British Columbia. The school later became known as Terry Fox Secondary School in his honour.
After high school, Fox attended Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He studied kinesiology and physical education and continued participating in university athletics.
Fox also played wheelchair basketball after his leg was amputated. He became a successful wheelchair basketball player with the Vancouver Cable Cars, helping the team win the national championship three consecutive times. His experience in competitive sport after amputation contributed to his decision to undertake the much more demanding Marathon of Hope.
Terry Fox Career
Early Athletic Career
Fox’s early sporting life centred on basketball. He played competitively during school and later at Simon Fraser University. Although basketball was initially difficult for him, he worked persistently to improve.
His athletic career changed dramatically in 1977 when he began experiencing severe pain in his right knee. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with osteogenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer that had developed just below his right knee.
Cancer Diagnosis and Amputation
Fox was 18 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Three days after receiving the diagnosis, he underwent surgery to amputate his right leg approximately 15 centimetres above the knee. He subsequently underwent months of chemotherapy.
During his treatment, Fox was deeply affected by the suffering he witnessed among other cancer patients, particularly children. His experiences convinced him that more money was needed for cancer research.
After completing treatment, Fox began thinking about running across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He trained for approximately 18 months while developing a special running technique using an artificial leg.
Marathon of Hope
On April 12, 1980, Fox began the Marathon of Hope in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean before starting his journey westward across Canada.
Fox’s original goal was to raise $1 for every Canadian. He planned to run approximately 42 kilometres each day, roughly the distance of a marathon. His unusual running style, in which he took repeated short steps with his artificial leg, became one of the defining images of the journey.
For the first part of the run, Fox received relatively little national attention. As he crossed the country, however, public interest grew dramatically. Thousands of Canadians came out to see him, and donations to cancer research increased.
Fox ran through Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. He ultimately covered 5,373 kilometres over 143 days, averaging approximately 42 kilometres a day.
End of the Marathon of Hope
On September 1, 1980, Fox was forced to stop running outside Thunder Bay, Ontario. He had developed severe chest pain, and medical tests showed that the cancer had returned and spread to his lungs.
By the time he stopped, he had run more than halfway across Canada. Although he could no longer continue the physical journey, he continued speaking publicly about cancer research and encouraged Canadians to keep supporting the Marathon of Hope.
His fundraising target was ultimately reached. By February 1, 1981, the campaign had raised $24.17 million, equivalent to one dollar for every Canadian at the time.
Wheelchair Basketball
Before and after his cancer treatment, Fox was involved in wheelchair basketball. He played with the Vancouver Cable Cars and helped the team win three consecutive national championships.
Wheelchair basketball was significant because it demonstrated that Fox could continue competing at a high level after losing his leg. His success in the sport helped prepare him physically and psychologically for the Marathon of Hope.
Terry Fox Trending: Why Is Terry Fox Famous?
Terry Fox is receiving renewed attention in 2026 because his story is being revisited through new film and documentary projects. The documentary Run Terry Run, directed by Sean Menard, uses previously unseen footage from Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope and interviews people who were directly involved in the journey. The documentary has brought fresh attention to Fox’s life, his run and the people who accompanied him.
The renewed interest also comes as Fox’s cancer research legacy continues. The Terry Fox Foundation and Terry Fox Research Institute continue to support cancer research, while Terry Fox Runs are held in Canada and internationally. The foundation says that more than $1 billion has been raised for cancer research in Terry’s name.
Fox’s story remains particularly notable because his original campaign was started by a 21-year-old amputee who was not seeking a career in public life. His Marathon of Hope became a national fundraising movement and later developed into one of the best-known cancer research fundraising initiatives associated with an individual.
Terry Fox Death and Cause of Death
Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981, in New Westminster, British Columbia, one month before his 23rd birthday. He was 22 years old.
His death was caused by osteogenic sarcoma, the bone cancer that had originally affected his right leg and later returned in his lungs. The cancer had spread after he was forced to stop the Marathon of Hope in September 1980.
Fox’s death came less than a year after he ended his cross-country run. He had already seen his original fundraising target achieved and knew that an annual run would continue his work.
Terry Fox Personal Life
Terry Fox was the son of Betty Fox and Rolly Fox. He had three siblings: Fred, Darrell and Judith. His family played a significant role in supporting him throughout his cancer treatment and during the Marathon of Hope.
Fox never married and had no children. His close friendships were important during his Marathon of Hope, particularly his relationship with Doug Alward, his childhood friend who drove the support van during the run.
Fox was known for maintaining a relatively ordinary lifestyle despite the enormous public attention he received during the Marathon of Hope. His family later became closely involved in preserving his legacy and supporting cancer research initiatives established in his name.
Terry Fox Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958, and died on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22. He was Canadian and was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before being raised in British Columbia.
Fox’s religious beliefs are not sufficiently documented to reliably identify a specific religion. His public legacy is primarily associated with athletics, humanitarian work and cancer research rather than religious activity.
Fox was known for his athletic build and short, curly hair. His artificial right leg became one of the most recognizable aspects of his appearance during the Marathon of Hope. A reliable official source does not establish a definitive height, so commonly repeated online measurements should be treated cautiously.
Terry Fox Net Worth
Terry Fox’s personal net worth was not publicly documented in the conventional sense. He was a young athlete and student rather than a professional entertainer or businessperson, and the money associated with the Marathon of Hope was raised for cancer research rather than as personal income.
Fox’s fundraising campaign raised $24.17 million by February 1981, but those funds were intended for cancer research and should not be confused with his personal wealth.
His financial legacy is therefore better understood through the money raised in his name for cancer research. The Terry Fox Foundation reports that more than $1 billion has been raised for cancer research through the continuing legacy of his Marathon of Hope.
Terry Fox Legacy
Terry Fox’s most enduring legacy is the Marathon of Hope and the international fundraising movement that followed it. The annual Terry Fox Run began in 1981 and has continued in Canada and other countries, allowing people to participate in the campaign even though Fox himself could not complete the original journey.
His name has also been attached to schools, roads, buildings, monuments and other public landmarks across Canada. He was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2013 under the Sports category, reflecting the lasting national significance of his athletic and humanitarian achievements.
The Terry Fox Foundation and Terry Fox Research Institute continue to fund cancer research in accordance with the goal Fox established during his lifetime. His legacy has therefore extended beyond the story of one athlete’s run into a continuing research and fundraising movement.
Conclusion
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete and cancer research activist whose Marathon of Hope transformed his personal experience with cancer into an international fundraising legacy. After losing his right leg to osteogenic sarcoma at 18, he trained for 18 months and began running across Canada on an artificial leg in April 1980. He covered 5,373 kilometres in 143 days before cancer spread to his lungs and forced him to stop. Fox died at 22 in 1981, but his goal of raising money for cancer research continued through the Terry Fox Run and the organizations established in his name, with more than $1 billion subsequently raised for cancer research.
Frequently Asked Questions About Terry Fox
Who was Terry Fox?
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist who became famous for his 1980 Marathon of Hope across Canada.
How old was Terry Fox when he died?
Terry Fox was 22 years old when he died on June 28, 1981.
When was Terry Fox born?
Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
What was Terry Fox’s cause of death?
Terry Fox died from osteogenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer that had spread to his lungs.
What was the Marathon of Hope?
The Marathon of Hope was Terry Fox’s 1980 attempt to run across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
How far did Terry Fox run?
Terry Fox ran 5,373 kilometres, or about 3,339 miles, over 143 days before cancer forced him to stop.
When did Terry Fox start the Marathon of Hope?
Terry Fox began the Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Why did Terry Fox lose his leg?
Terry Fox lost his right leg because of osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer diagnosed when he was 18.
How much money did Terry Fox raise?
The original Marathon of Hope fund reached $24.17 million by February 1981, achieving Fox’s goal of raising approximately $1 for every Canadian at the time.
Did Terry Fox have a wife?
No. Terry Fox never married.
Did Terry Fox have children?
No. Terry Fox did not have children.
Who were Terry Fox’s parents?
His parents were Betty Fox and Rolly Fox.
Where did Terry Fox go to school?
Terry Fox attended Port Coquitlam Senior Secondary School and later studied at Simon Fraser University.
What sport did Terry Fox play?
Fox played several sports, especially basketball. After his amputation, he played wheelchair basketball and helped the Vancouver Cable Cars win three national championships.
What is the Terry Fox Run?
The Terry Fox Run is an annual fundraising event created in memory of Terry Fox to raise money for cancer research. It takes place in Canada and other countries around the world.
How much money has been raised in Terry Fox’s name?
The Terry Fox Foundation reports that more than $1 billion has been raised for cancer research in Terry Fox’s name.
Why is Terry Fox famous?
Terry Fox is famous for attempting to run across Canada on an artificial leg after losing his leg to cancer, raising millions of dollars for cancer research and inspiring the continuing Terry Fox Run.
What documentary about Terry Fox was released in 2026?
Run Terry Run, directed by Sean Menard, revisits Fox’s Marathon of Hope using previously unseen footage and interviews with people connected to the original journey.