The New Straits Times, November 28, 1999
TODAY is a historic day for Malaysia. For the first time, we will have our own "Terry Fox Run".
Terry Fox is a legendary figure, not only among Canadians but also throughout the world. The Terry Fox Run is held in many parts of the world, and Malaysia is proud to be part of it.
More importantly, the run sends a very strong signal that Malaysian youth too, like Terry Fox, are determined to work towards a cancer-free society. More realistically, a smoke-free society.
For years they have been systematically bombarded with messages that will invariably turn many of them into cancer victims - persuaded by tobacco companies through their well-targeted advertisements.
The Director-General of Health attested to this fact recently. He called for a more aggressive anti-smoking campaign and strategies to deal with issues like sponsorship of sports and entertaiment events by tobacco companies.
He expressed concerned over the 13.5 per cent increase in the number of schoolchildren smoking.
Already today, cancer is among the top three causes of death in the country.
We need to learn from the sacrifices of Terry Fox to drive this crucial message home. And put to shame those who insist on destroying our youth by peddling carcinogenic products to them.
Who was Terry Fox?
Terrence Stanley Fox was born on July 28, 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and later moved with his family to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.
He was determined and steadfast even as a child, and in school, he was always a high achiever.
He studied kinesiology at Simon Fraser University and hoped to become a physical education teacher.
In 1977, while in his first year at university, Terry developed severe pain in his right leg.
The diagnosis was osteogenic sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. His leg had to be amputated 15cm above the knee within three days of the diagnosis. He was 18 years old.
Four years later, on June 28, 1981, Terry died, but not without leaving a legacy that is still very much alive today.
His dream was to run across Canada - a distance of more than 8,300km - to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. He called it the "Marathon of Hope".
Terry's dream has rallied people all over the world to emulate him in the fight against cancer.
While still suffering from the effects of chemotherapy, Terry had his right leg fitted with a prosthesis. On April 12, 1980, at 4.30am, he started his run in St John's, Newfoundland, the eastern-most province of Canada, and headed westward.
After 143 days of running, he had covered about two-thirds of the total distance (5,373km), running nearly 43km per day; he had also raised C$1.7 million.
On Aug 31, 1980, just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry had to stop. He had developed terrible chest pains; the cancer had spread to his lungs.
Terry was flown back to Vancouver to begin the fight for his life. While in hospital, a programme called the Miracle of Hope, was organised by a Canadian TV network to continue with the fund-raising. More than C$24 million was collected. Today, Terry is one of the greatest all-time Canadian heroes.
In June, a Canadian poll ranked Terry first among 10 Canadian heroes, above Dr Frederick Banting, the Nobel Prize winner for the discovery of insulin, celebrities like Celine Dion, and previous Canadian Prime Ministers - all because of his sheer determination to help others with cancer. Rightly he has been singled out as a very different type of hero.
The journal he kept during the run amplified his sincere determination to overcome his pain, difficulties and exhaustion, all this before many people realised what he stood for.
He wrote about "cars pushing him off the road, sub-zero temperatures, howling winds, and being forced to breathe exhaust fumes".
Some of his last words were: "I just wish people would realise that anything is possible if you try; dreams are made if people try."
Terry was an inspiration to everyone. At 22, he became the youngest person to earn the Companion of the Order of Canada, his nation's highest civilian award.
Public buildings carry his name; a postage stamp bears his image, and his name is given to a mountain, highways, playgrounds and schools.
A movie The Terry Fox Story was made to tell his story, and the Canadian Government has created the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.
He also received the highest award in British Colombia, "The Order of the Dogwood".
He was also commemorated with a three-metre bronze statue at Terry Fox Lookout, near the location where he ended his run on Sept 1, 1980.
The Terry Fox Laboratory was established in the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre with a donation of C$1 million by the provincial government to the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope.
The Terry Fox Gallery continues to show Terry's dreams through video clips, voice overs, memorabilia, photographs and journal quotes. Its exhibits include Terry's Order of Canada Medal, his Marathon of Hope T-shirt, the uniforms he received from some of hockey greatest legends and letters from some of the people he inspired.
The Terry Fox Foundation was also set up to raise funds for cancer research with an annual Terry Fox Run. The primary objective is "to show people everywhere, and particularly young people, that extraordinary achievements of courage and determination are within the reach of perfectly ordinary people".
Thousands keep his dream alive by participating in Terry Fox Runs throughout the world.
Since it started in 1981, the run has become the largest single-day fund-raising event for cancer research held anywhere in the world.
According to the Terry Fox Foundation website, the 1999 worldwide run has so far raised C$17.5 million (RM44.87 million) by 1.2 million participants.
And today is the turn for Malaysians to pay their tribute to Terry, his vision, courage and principles.
In particular, our youth have much to learn from him, as he is a symbol of extraordinary accomplishment and humanitarian excellence. He inspires all of us not only to fight cancer, but more importantly, to prevent it from happening by curbing dangerous habits like smoking.
More information, visit: National Library of Canada Homepage.
