This cache is dedicated to those who inspire us. It is located on the Terry Fox Plaza.
Terry Fox was a young man who lost his leg to cancer and responded to this loss with the Marathon of Hope to fundraise for cancer research. Terry started his run across Canada in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. He began his journey with little fanfare but he wasn't alone. He had his friend Doug Alward and brother Darrell to support him along the grueling daily challenge.
There were also all those who made a difference in Terry’s life prior to his journey down that long stretch of road; the support of his parents, his grade 8 teacher Bob McGill; his high school principal Fred Tinck; Terri Flemming his coach who gave Terry a copy of Runner’s World magazine with a story about Dick Traum, the first disabled athlete to compete in the New York Marathon; Rick Hansen his friend, who recruited Fox to his wheelchair basketball team just weeks after his amputation. There was Stan Stronge, founder of wheelchair sports in BC, mentor, and counsellor who was a big factor in the lives of both Terry and Rick, and who put wheelchair sports on the map for BC athletes.
Although few people outside Terry’s circle of support initially realized what Terry was attempting, word gradually got out and enthusiasm soon grew. People wanted to help Terry with his challenge and sent donations, words of support, and, in some cases, literally came out to run beside him. Terry ran close to 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada’s Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. On September 1st, after 143 days and over 5,000 kilometres, Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22. Although the spread of cancer to Terry's lungs ended his run, he challenged us, before his death, to continue his marathon on his behalf. Terry managed to inspire a nation with his determination and compassion. Terry Fox’s legacy has endured in Canada and around the world.
Who has been an inspiration in your life? Was it a brother or sister, a coach, a teacher, a parent, a mentor, or an athlete like Terry Fox. To claim this Virtual Cache, make a thank you sign and take a picture of it on the plaza. Post this photo to the gallery and then consider doing something to celebrate/acknowledge the heroes in your life.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.