‘It’s always with me’: Darrell Fox reflects on Marathon of Hope, spurs fundraising in Kamloops

“It’s really changing cancer – the diagnosis and the outcome for patients – and that’s the whole point,” local run organizer Sue Steenson said. “We’ve been told that when you have a big year to not expect a big year the next year. We don’t believe that. We think we can do it.”

Gruelling does not begin to describe the challenge of running 42 kilometres every day on an artificial leg. Darrell said he was able to provide a form of relief.

“Back then, I had a sense of humour,” Darrell said. “I’ve lost it since, but I was able to make him laugh. You had to wait for your moment, but Terry had an incredible sense of humour and he needed to relax. We had a lot of those moments during the Marathon of Hope.”

Terry completed 5,373 kilometres of his cross-country run, stopping outside of Thunder Bay, Ont., on Sept. 1, 1980, before checking into hospital, where he learned of more cancer in his body.

“One of the things I don’t get asked about is his humility, his humbleness,” Darrell said. “The person who started the Marathon of Hope by dipping his artificial leg on April 12 in St. John’s Harbour was the same person who had to stop on Sept. 1, when cancer came back. He never changed. When fame and fortune was at every turn, especially when he hit Ontario and the big cities of Ottawa and Toronto, Terry remained grounded on why he was running across the country.”

Prior to his death at age 22 in June of 1981, Terry learned an annual run would take place in his name.

“Last year, with the 45th anniversary, we surpassed $1 billion in funds raised in Terry’s name,” Darrell said. “I just like hanging out in the story and seeing how volunteers, like here in Kamloops, are keeping it together. I’m just here sharing a story. I’ve been given the incredible gift of being Terry Fox’s brother. I don’t take that for granted.”

The Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Sept. 20. Local organizers are encouraging individuals and teams to register and donate now.

FRED FOX

Darrell’s elder brother, Fred, was in Kamloops last year to promote the run.

Here is the Tattle of Hastings segment in which he is featured.

by Marty Hastings

‘It’s always with me’: Darrell Fox reflects on Marathon of Hope, spurs fundraising in Kamloops

Our Community