Winnipegger Norma Currie has been so inspired by the courage and determination of Terrance Stanley Fox that she felt the Marathon of Hope one-legged runner would be an extremely deserving inductee into the Winnipeg Citizens Hall of Fame.
The Citizens Hall of Fame selection committee overwhelmingly agreed with her, and thus decided that this year they would induct the former Winnipegger into the hall of fame.
"It is with great admiration and honour that I announce the selection of Terry Fox as our Citizens Hall of Fame's 2010 inductee," said Rick Preston, chair of WinnipegREALTORS® Citizens Hall of Fame committee. “Born and raised in Winnipeg for more than one-third of his life, Fox’s legacy from his cross-country 1980 Marathon of Hope lives on 30 years later to be truly monumental in its scope of inspiration, perseverance and hope for a better world in which cures will one day be found for the different types of cancer.”
He was nominated under Voluntary Service - for voluntary activities and dedication that benefit the immediate and global community.
Nominator Norma Currie’s described Terry’s exceptional achievement:
“Terry Fox ran a marathon a day (26 miles) every day of the week for more than 4 2/3 months, on one leg, through every kind of weather imaginable, across Canada’s rough and diversified terrain, up and down huge hills. He was blown off the road at times by semi-trailers. He did it voluntarily to raise money for cancer research to help make everyone else’s lives better. He had one growth the size of a lemon in one lung and one lump the size of a golf ball in the other for at least part of the run.
“To date, Terry’s efforts have raised close to $500 million for cancer research which has made it possible to already have found cures for some types of cancer. His accomplishments are miraculous, next to impossible, and unprecedented.”
“How many people ever get a chance to do something they really believe in? Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.”
Terry Fox’s July 10, 1980 message inspired his family members and others, such as Rod Stewart, who co-wrote and recorded Never Give Up On A Dream in honour of the Canadian humanitarian and cancer activist.
His legacy carries on in the Terry Fox Foundation and annual Terry Fox Run (first held in 1981) that now involves millions of participants in over 60 countries raising money for cancer research.
Fox’s awards and recognitions are numerous. It is worth noting that Terry Fox is the youngest Canadian to receive the nation’s highest civilian award - Companion of the Order of Canada. He also received The Sword of Hope (American Cancer Society’s highest honour) and was only surpassed by former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as the top Canadian newsmaker of the 20th century.
More recently, a special Terry Fox Award was presented to a 2010 Winter Olympic athlete who showed courage, perseverance and determination. In honour of her son, Betty Fox helped carry the Olympic Flag during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
As the 2010 Citizen Hall of Fame inductee, Terry Fox will have a bronze portraiture sculpted by a local artist and placed on a granite pedestal at the Citizens Hall of Fame site in Assiniboine Park. The location is quite fitting as the Fox family enjoyed visiting this park while living in Winnipeg and is the site for the annual Terry Fox Run in September.
Accepting the 2010 Citizens Hall of Fame inductee award at the ceremony and reception will be Terry Fox’s parents, Rolly and Betty Fox. Other family members and relatives will be in attendance.
“Fox demonstrates how a truly exceptional Winnipeg-born activist with an unwavering and indefatigable determination to realize one’s individual pursuit can inspire an entire nation and future generations to help bring it to fruition,” said Preston.
Established in 1986 by WinnipegREALTORS®, the Citizens Hall of Fame is a unique program honouring outstanding citizens who brought recognition to our city or have made outstanding contributions to Winnipeg’s quality of life. Each inductee has a likeness sculpted and prominently displayed at the Citizens Hall of Fame site in Assiniboine Park.
For further information, contact Peter Squire at 786-8854.
To learn more about the Citizens Hall of Fame program and our other 36 inductees, please visit: www.winnipegfame.ca
