Monday, April 12, 2010

Marathon of Hope

October 15, 1979

My name is Terry Fox. I am 21 years old, and I am an amputee. I lost my right leg two-and-a-half years ago due to cancer. The night before my amputation, my former basketball coach brought me a magazine with an article on an amputee who ran in the New York Marathon. It was then I decided to meet this new challenge head on and not only overcome my disability, but conquer it in such a way that I could never look back and say it disabled me.

But I soon realized that that would only be half my quest, for as I went through the 16 months of the physically and emotionally draining ordeal of chemotherapy, I was rudely awakened by the feelings that surrounded and coursed through the cancer clinic. There were faces with the brave smiles, and the ones who had given up smiling. There were feelings of hopeful denial, and the feelings of despair.

My quest would not be a selfish one. I could not leave knowing these faces and feelings would still exist, even though I would be set free from mine. Somewhere the hurting must stop....and I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause.

From the beginning the going was extremely difficult, and I was facing chronic ailments foreign to runners with two legs in addition to the common physical strains felt by all dedicated athletes.

But these problems are now behind me, as I have either out-persisted or learned to deal with them. I feel strong not only physically, but more important, emotionally. Soon I will be adding one full mile a week, and coupled with weight training I have been doing, by next April I will be ready to achieve something that for me was once only a distant dream reserved for the world of miracles – to run across Canada to raise money for the fight against cancer.

The running I can do, even if I have to crawl every last mile.

We need your help. The people in cancer clinics all over the world need people who believe in miracles.

I am not a dreamer, and I am not saying that this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer. But I believe in miracles. I have to.

Footnotes:

It was on this day, in 1980, that Terrence "Terry" Stanley Fox, a Canadian athlete and cancer research activist began his Marathon of Hope. He has, since, become an icon of superhuman stature! His marathon raised $1.7 million and his legacy continues to evoke deep emotions.

Today, close to 30 years after his death, Redefining Oblivion salutes this herculean idol and celebrates his lasting legacy that has benefited several thousands of people in their arduous fight against cancer, by giving them what they needed above all else in life, that element being hope!

The contents of this post is a letter written by Terry Fox to the Canadian Cancer Society informing them of his endeavour.

24 comments:

  1. The spirit to live, fight back and hope makes people do amazing things or should I say miracles? :)

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  2. what a wonderful spirit!

    thank you for sharing

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  3. Wow!!
    Nice to read your post today
    its different but G_R_E_A_T_ !!!
    Puurfect written ..

    ((hugs)) from Kareltje =^.^=

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  4. and our salutations to Redifining Oblivion for bringing it up here ! Thanks Rakesh for this ! :)

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  5. Survivor

    Right, life draws some of the finest qualities from people - the ability to perform superhuman efforts, being some of the many!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  6. Vibu

    I cannot say enough of this man's efforts!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  7. Magiceye

    Indeed Sir! Thanks very much!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  8. Anya

    Thanks so much! I'm deeply inspired by this man's efforts!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  9. Vimmuuu

    Thank you very much Sir!

    I'm humbled beyond words!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  10. Hi Rakesh! Hope is something you'll have to work for... Excellent post!!

    Blogtrotter Two is waiting for you in Turkey... Enjoy and have a great week!!

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  11. This post causes spirit and faith in rakesh. Hope is something we all need to move.

    Thanks to let me knowing this aspiring person. Very nice post!

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  12. Wonderful post. More than symphathy thes people need encouragement and understanding from others.

    I had seen a person whose both legs are powerlessfrom polio in popular dance contest on Zee prfoming as any other contestants and he is very good.

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  13. A truly inspiring story... might spirits are indeed the beacon of our hope...

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  14. Gil

    Indeed, hope is something that we individually and collectively need to work for!

    Thanks very much!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  15. Jeevan

    Thanks very much!

    Hope is something that we all need to pursue at all times!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Rajesh

    Right said! More than sympathy, it is support and encouragement that will go a long way in further the cause!

    And yes, if we do look around, we will find a number of such very inspiring souls from whom we all can learn wornderful lessons!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  17. Issam

    Indeed Sir, mighty spirits are surely and only our beacon of hope!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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