“It took cancer to
realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try
and help others.” Terry Fox
I was 5 when Terry Fox began his epic journey across
Canada. I remember watching this on a
television with bunny ears and no remote.
He would run in the rain, fog, and cold, with his prosthetic limb and
very distinguishable gait. Even in a
world without the internet, Facebook, email and Twitter, news of his journey
spread and touched millions of Canadians. Unfortunately, Terry died before he
could complete his journey, at the way-too-young age of 22.
What I find so incredible about Terry’s story, however, is
that it didn’t die with him. Even 33
years later Canada remains committed to continuing his legacy through education
about Terry, his disease and his mission, and by continuing to promote and
encourage others to run as Terry did, and to donate. My children will again participate in the
Terry Fox Run this September, as I did in school before them.
According to the Terry Fox Foundation, to date they have
raised over $600M for cancer research.
But above the massive amounts of money raised, and the heroic action of
being one man, all alone, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for an important
cause, Terry set an example. He became a
poster-boy for overcoming challenges and to have hope. He paved the way for others (Rick Hansen
included) to do epic things to raise awareness, and money, to fight for
important causes. He demonstrated, as his
quote indicates, that being self-centered does not progress a Nation, nor does
it raise a generation of loving youth committed to the greater good. The answer is to help others. In some way, or some form, to give back and
make your existence matter. This can be
as simple as a kind word or friendly gesture, or as significant as donating
time, money or careers to worthy causes.
We have a lot to learn from Terry Fox – still – even if he is only here
in spirit to teach us.
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