BRAMPTON, ON (September 16, 2022) – At its meeting on Monday, September 12, Brampton City Council approved a motion to recognize and honour Terry Fox as a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist with a new monument.
City of Brampton staff will explore and implement additional ways to memorialize Terry Fox in Brampton. Currently, the City of Brampton recognizes the contributions of Terry Fox through its existing Terry Fox Stadium walking track and its community events flag raising program.
Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) in his right leg in 1977 and had his leg amputated 15 cm (six inches) above the knee. While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He called his journey the Marathon of Hope.
Terry’s Marathon of Hope took place in 1980 with the simple objective of informing Canadians of the importance of finding a cure for cancer. With fierce determination, he ran an average of 42 kilometres (26 miles) every day for 143 days. Terry was forced to end his run-on September 1, 1980 when the cancer spread to his lungs.
By February 1, 1981, Terry’s dream of raising $1 for every Canadian was realized – the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope fund totaled $24.17 million. Terry died in June 1981.
– Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said, “Terry Fox is a Canadian hero, and through his fierce determination, he continues to unite Canadians and people across the world in the fight against cancer. The City of Brampton honours his memory, and is dedicated to further memorializing him and all that he stood for in our community.”
While Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor, Wards 3-4 said, “Terry Fox’s selfless dedication to achieving a world without cancer lives on today through his memory. I was honoured to move the motion for City staff to explore and implement a new way to memorialize him in our city. By remembering Terry’s great and brave history, we will continue his fight.”
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