Terry Fox was honoured on Sunday’s Google Doodle, which commemorated the first cross-Canada running event in his name, on September 13, 1981.
“The first Terry Fox Run, held on this day in 1981, united 300,000 people across Canada to walk, run or cycle in Terry’s memory, and raised $3.5 million for cancer research,” says Google’s news release.
After losing his leg to cancer, Fox embarked on the “Marathon of Hope, ” a historic cross-country journey to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
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Sunday’s Doodle was illustrated by Toronto-based artist Lynn Scurfield. The drawing shows Fox running on a sunny day with the clouds faintly spelling “Google” in the background.
A #GoogleDoodle to honor iconic Canadian athlete & humanitarian Terry Fox 🇨🇦
After losing a leg to cancer, Fox embarked on a historic cross-Canada run to raise awareness & money for cancer research. Learn more → https://t.co/tQvCYBPbOt
🎨 by guest artist @lynndoodles pic.twitter.com/PciGRXO3TM
— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) September 13, 2020
When Fox was 18 years old, he was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called osteogenic sarcoma, which forced his right leg to be amputated. Two years later, Fox began to train for his iconic Marathon of Hope.
The Manitoba-native embarked on the Marathon 40 years ago in April 1980. After training for more than 5,000 kilometres, he began his journey in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
During the marathon’s four months, Fox ran 5,373 kilometres across six Canadian provinces.
The Terry Fox Foundation/Facebook
This year’s Terry Fox run, scheduled for September 20, will take place virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Terry Fox Foundation, this year’s event has already raised more than $2 million.
In April, the Foundation announced more than $800 million has been raised for cancer research since his marathon began 40 years ago.
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