Discussion on Canadian Heritage Minute – Terry Fox
The Heritage Minute discussed in this document is based on a famous personality named Terry Fox. Terry Fox, at the age of 18, was suffering from osteogenic sarcoma which is a kind of bone cancer that targets the knee. It was noted that this type of cancer spreads very fast and thus, the doctors treating Terry Fox suggested on amputating his leg of about 15 cms above the right knee and this procedure was followed by chemotherapy. But this life changing incident did not affect Terry Fox’s confidence as he got motivated by reading an article published in the magazine of Runner’s World about Dick Traum, who was also an amputee and successfully ran a Marathon in New York City. (Terryfox.org, 2016) Having witnessed the other patients who battled for life, Terry Fox realized his responsibility that was the outcome of being a survivor and battler of bone cancer and decided to be responsible and contribute to the society by helping the people suffering from cancer. Several modifications in the Terry’s prosthetics were made in order to effectively withstand the long – distance running. Initially Terry Fox faced a lot of issues but gradually overcome them and successfully began the cross – country Marathon in the year 1980 on April 12 and the Marathon was named as Marathon of Hope. Terry Fox was extremely successful in covering various destinations and by February 1981 he raised $1 for every Canadian but due to his health issues he wasn’t able to complete the Marathon and covered about 5373 km in 143 days. Terry died in the year 1981 on June 28. (Historicacanada.ca, 2016)
(I.C. JPS 1820)