MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
Forty-five years after Terry’s Marathon of Hope, Canadians continue to carry his mission forward.
Across the country, people marked this milestone year through movement, storytelling, partnership, and generosity. They walked, ran, rode, hiked, trekked, volunteered, fundraised, and shared Terry’s story with new generations.
Together, these moments did more than honour the past. They helped fuel bold cancer research and build momentum for what comes next.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Across Canada, milestone events helped mark the 45th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope and turn his legacy into action for cancer research.
NATIONAL RIDE OF HOPE
Forty-five years after Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope, nine cyclists and eight crew members set out on a journey of their own. Over 32 days, they travelled thousands of kilometres across Canada, stopping in communities large and small to share Terry’s story, connect with supporters, and inspire the next generation of fundraisers.
Every kilometre reflected the same belief that carried Terry across Canada in 1980: ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when united by a common purpose. Along the way, communities welcomed the team, survivors shared their experiences, volunteers stepped forward, and Canadians donated more than $1.22 million to help accelerate bold cancer research.
CONFEDERATION BRIDGE RUN
More than 10,000 people from every province gathered to do something few Canadians ever have the opportunity to experience: cross Confederation Bridge on foot.
Cancer survivors, families, volunteers, longtime supporters, and first-time participants came together in Canada’s largest Terry Fox Run of the year, creating a powerful reminder that Terry’s mission continues to unite people across generations. More than 300 volunteers helped make the day possible as participants raised more than $915,000 to support the innovative cancer research Terry believed could change the future of cancer as we know it.
MT. TERRY FOX TREK
The Mt. Terry Fox Trek challenged participants to step beyond their comfort zones and experience, in a small way, the perseverance Terry demonstrated every day during his Marathon of Hope. Close to 90 hikers came together to tackle the demanding climb, encouraging one another over every ascent while raising nearly $29,000 for cancer research.
The trek was never about reaching the summit alone. It was about sharing the journey, embracing the challenge, and remembering that meaningful progress is rarely easy. Just as Terry faced one kilometre after another with unwavering determination, participants climbed one step at a time, united in our common goal that together, we can help accelerate the discoveries that will change the future of cancer.
SLEEPING GIANT HIKE
Few places in Canada are more closely connected to Terry Fox’s story than Thunder Bay. Overlooking Lake Superior and the Sleeping Giant, the Terry Fox Monument stands not far from the stretch of highway where Terry was forced to end his Marathon of Hope on September 1, 1980.
In this milestone year, 150 participants gathered at the monument at dawn before travelling to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park for a commemorative hike. Together, they raised more than $27,000 for cancer research.
The hike was a powerful reminder that Terry’s legacy has never been measured by where he stopped, but by the millions of people who have continued the journey ever since, helping fuel the bold research bringing us closer to a world without cancer.
PROGRESS IN MOTION
This anniversary year showed how Terry’s mission continues to inspire action in many forms. Special initiatives, national partnerships, and milestone events helped Canadians connect with Terry’s story in new ways while supporting the research he believed could change the future of cancer.
T IS FOR TERRY
Through storytelling and education, Terry’s story continues to reach young readers, helping new generations understand his courage, his mission, and the role they can play in supporting cancer research.
THE RETURN OF THE ICONIC TERRY FOX ORION SHOE
Before Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope, adidas provided the Orion running shoes that would become one of the defining symbols of his journey across Canada. For the third time, adidas re-released the iconic shoe, reconnecting Canadians with a powerful piece of Terry’s story.
More than a tribute, the Orion became a conversation starter, inviting new generations to discover Terry’s legacy while giving longtime supporters a meaningful way to honour it. Every purchase helped transform one of the most recognizable symbols of the Marathon of Hope into continued support for bold cancer research.
CANCER BREAKTHROUGH FUND
Groundbreaking discoveries only change lives when they move beyond the laboratory. The Cancer Breakthrough Fund was designed to help promising cancer research navigate the complex path toward real-world use.
By combining leading scientific networks with specialized investment and company-building expertise, the Fund helps advance high-potential discoveries into therapies, technologies, and companies with the potential to improve cancer care and patient outcomes.
FINISH IT COLLECTION: TURNING A MESSAGE INTO MOMENTUM
The Finish It Collection became the defining symbol of the 45th anniversary year, uniting Canadians around a shared belief that Terry’s mission is not over. More than commemorative merchandise, it inspired conversations, strengthened community, and gave supporters a visible way to stand behind the future of cancer research.
Together, the anniversary collection generated over $4 million in sales, helping fund the bold ideas and innovative research bringing better answers closer to patients.
LEADING CANADA. ADVANCING RESEARCH.
Forty-five years after Terry’s Marathon of Hope, the Terry Fox Run continues to inspire Canadians like no other peer-to-peer fundraising event. Recognized for the fourth consecutive year as Canada’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising program, the Run demonstrates the enduring power of a movement built on hope, community, and purpose.
That leadership extends far beyond fundraising. It enables sustained investment in Canada’s brightest researchers and boldest ideas, accelerating discoveries in precision oncology, cancer prevention, artificial intelligence, and data-driven research that are changing the future of cancer care.
TERRY’S LEGACY IN ACTION
Behind every anniversary moment are people who have made Terry’s mission part of their lives.
Across generations, Canadians continue to honour that mission through action, fundraising, storytelling, and service.
These stories show how Terry’s belief in research continues to inspire people to support bold cancer research, year after year.
JUDY PRETEAU
Judy Preteau has been organizing the Terry Fox Run in Vassar, Manitoba since 1981. Forty-five years later, her community came together to celebrate her dedication and the lasting impact one volunteer can have across generations.
MICHELLE FULLER
In 1980, Grade 5 student Michelle Fuller met Terry Fox when he visited Eliot River Elementary School in Prince Edward Island. Chosen to present him with the money raised by her school, Michelle left with an autograph she still keeps today: “Best Wishes, Terry Fox.”
Years later, after facing cancer herself, Michelle turned her childhood connection to Terry into a lasting commitment to the Terry Fox Run and cancer research. Now living in Canmore, Alberta, she marked her 21st Run in 2025 and returned to Eliot River to share her story with a new generation of students.
Her journey brings the 45th anniversary full circle, connecting one moment with Terry to decades of perseverance, participation, and support for cancer research.
EDIE EVANS AND BETTE HYNDMAN
In Rapid City, Manitoba, Edie Evans and Bette Hyndman, both in their 90s, have walked every Terry Fox Run since it began. Their lifelong commitment reflects the spirit, dedication, and hope Terry continues to inspire.
PHIL HILL’S POEM FOR TERRY
Written after Terry Fox’s passing and read at his memorial service in Victoria, Phil Hill’s poem imagined Terry’s Marathon of Hope continuing as a relay passed from one generation to the next.
Forty-five years later, those words resonate more than ever. Today, that relay is carried not only by millions of Canadians, but by the researchers, clinicians, patients, volunteers, and donors working together to accelerate discoveries and improve outcomes for people facing cancer.
When Phil who now lives in Saskatchewan learned his poem had been shared with Run Organizers, Foundation colleagues, and members of the Fox family, he was overcome with emotion. His words remain a powerful reminder that while Terry’s Marathon ended, the pursuit of better answers through research continues.
TO TERRY FOX
By Phil Hill
My marathon is not over
The race has not been won
The marathon is now a relay
Your relay has just begun
Take this torch I hand you
Carry it with pride
When you think you falter
I’ll always be at your side
Let courage be your starting line
And faith and hope your guide
And energy in integrity
To your victories always confide
Your family will give you comfort
Your soul will not know pain
Your country will always hold you
You’ll feel the warmth of God’s embrace
So run for those who suffer
And run for those who’ve died
You may not reach the finish line
But at least you’ll know you’ve tried
My hope is in your hands now
I’m sorry I must rest
And cancer can be beaten
All I ask is try your best
