Terry & Betty Fox

leggo

Just pondering today how sad it is that their foundation has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research and how in the grand scheme of things, we're really not much further ahead. So sad, no? I'm so grateful to them for all they've done. I so hope that all that money leads to a cure soon.  I love you both. RIP

208sandy

Grace1:

I thought about Betty this afternoon and I think about Terry often - do you have the capability to put a you tube or something on this thread so the members from all around the world can see "who Terry and Betty" were?  I was living in the States for 25 years and trust me there was no coverage of Terry down there - I want people to see what a brave son and mother they were.

IRIP Betty.

NewReality

Hello fellow canucks! I didn't even realize there was a Canadian forum till recently! 

Terry Fox is indeed ingrained in the Canadian psyche and for good reason. Terry put a face ( a very young face) to cancer and his story was awe inspiring. I remember my family and I being riveted by his story when I was 10 years old. We were all literally glued to the television and watched him run his heart out while we cheered him on! The fact that he didn't complete his goal is very sad, indeed.

I don't think Terry died in vain, Gracie. I remember reading that had Terry been diagnosed today, he would stood a far better chance of surviving his cancer. Who knows, maybe 30 years from now we can say the same of today's so called incurable cancers.

leggo

Sandy, it breaks my heart to find out that he's not well known in the US. I had the privilege of hearing Betty speak and could not stop the tears. I know Terry did not die in vain. We've come so far with childhood cancers and I know we have him to thank for that. I'm just disappointed that progress is so slow for the others. I wish I was computer savvy enough to post a video. He and his mother deserve to be memorialized on every cancer board for the $550,000,000 + they have raised. Hopefully, another family member will continue the legacy. Cancer research would take a big hit without the help of that family.

Maybe later, my son will help me post a video.

Edited to add: Now that I know the US doesn't have knowledge of him, and in case any read here...FYI, Terry Fox was an 18 year old young man who lost his leg to osteosarcoma. He decided to run cross-Canada to raise money for cancer research. He ran every day, every night with a bloody stump until it spread to his lung and he had to quit. His mother worked tirelessly to keep his legacy alive and his foundation has raised over 550 million dollars for cancer research. Every single penny raised has gone to that purpose.

leggo

Must say as well, I'm a little disappointed nobody posted anything about Betty, other than us three gals on either of the threads started in her name.  Don't they have Terry Fox runs in the US? I know they have them in the rest of the world....seems kind of weird. Surely, there are more Canadians on this board as well.

coraleliz

They do have Terry Fox runs in the US.  I have participated in such runs. I was unaware his mother died. I'm not sure if Betty's death is being reported here. Honestly, I'm so wrapped up in my BC diagnosis to follow news events. Truely inspirational son & mother!

leggo

Thank you coraleliz, it's nice to know someone in the US finds them inspirational. I'm making it my mission to put Terry Fox on our currency. Thank your for participating in his run.

208sandy

Grace:

Thanks for posting the story - I am hopeful your son is more computer literate than I am and will post maybe a video on Terry and Betty or something - funny I lived in California, Texas, New York State, Tennessee, Missouri and South Carolina spanning over 25 years and never once saw a poster for Terry Fox or indeed any mention of him on newscasts - I did read about him once in the New York Times at the time he started the run and was in Canada (on an extended visit) when he died - I have heard now that I am back in Canada that they have Terry Fox runs throughout the world and I am thrilled to hear that.  I think it's very important to keep this legacy going - the amount of money raised in Terry's name is phenomenal.

BMac

The passing of Betty Fox is definitely the end of an era.  I haven't been on the boards much lately but was deeply saddened when I heard of her passing.  What a brave woman who kept Terry's legacy alive when she must have been so devastated at losing her son.  Betty Fox is my idea of a true hero.

crazy4carrots

I  think she made it her mission in life to ensure Terry's memory and his astounding determination to raise funds for cancer research would live on.  And she took charge of that.  She had Isadore Sharpe, owner of the Four Seasons Hotel empire, as her advisor, but the rest was Betty and her family, with volunteer support.  Amazing woman!  I tear up whenever I see any shots of his run; it's even difficult to write about it here.

leggo

She really raised an extrodinary man. I cry too, Linda, everytime I see his cute face in my mind.

BMac

The thing that always gets to me is Terry's incredibly awkward gait.  Prostheses have come a long way since then.  Think of the incredible energy that gait must have taken and how painful it was.  Yet he soldiered on, day in and day out.  One of my regrets in life is that I didn't go to see him when he ran through Port Credit.

Betty certainly did carry on his legacy.

leggo

30th anniversary today!