Science Talk

Shelley Harding is a familiar face at the Terry Fox UK runs. A Canadian, who moved to London 23 years ago, she sells official event T-shirts to raise vital funds for The Institute of Cancer Research. This year she attended Terry Fox Runs in Battersea Park, Hampshire and will be at Wrexham this weekend. Last month she was invited to a special Terry Fox reception at Canada House in London, where Fred Fox spoke about his brother.

Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. He lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, but in 1980 began a ‘Marathon of Hope’ – running 3,339 miles over 143 days to raise awareness and money for cancer research. His dream to run across Canada was cut short after his cancer spread to his lungs and he died aged 22. Terry continues to inspire people in Canada and beyond to raise money for cancer research, and in the UK the Terry Fox Association proudly supports The Institute of Cancer Research. Brian Whitman is a Canadian currently serving with NATO at its Allied Maritime Command at the Northwood base in north-west London.

While Terry Fox is a household name in Canada, his story may be new to some people in the UK. In this blog, our Digital Communications Officer Laura-Maria Horga shares the story of the Canadian hero whose legacy continues more than 40 years after his death.