Terry Fox: By the Numbers

When Terry Fox dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland on April 12, 1980, he embarked on a journey that was fueled by a single dream: a world without cancer. Today, millions of children, youth and adults around the world have been moved by this young man’s determination and commitment. Dedicated to funding research, the Terry Fox Foundation continues to share Fox’s remarkable story, inspiring the next generation to follow in his footsteps. Here’s a look at how Terry Fox and the Foundation have impacted the lives of many and how his legacy continues to live on.

650,000,000: dollars raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry Fox’s name.

143: days that Terry Fox ran during the Marathon of Hope.

5,373: total kilometers he covered

42: average kilometers Fox ran through the Maritime provinces, Quebec and Ontario.

18: months of training that Fox completed before he began his cross-country run.

9: number of shoes Terry wore over his six-month journey
8: on his real foot
1: on his prosthetic leg

1980: the year that Terry was voted Canadian of the Year by Canadian Press editors
2: other major awards he won that year—the Companion of the Order of Canada and the Lou Marsh Award for outstanding athletic achievement.

1,700,000: dollar amount raised for cancer research during the Marathon of Hope.

3,500,000: dollars raised during the first Terry Fox Run held on September 13, 1981.

1,152: number of cancer research projects the Terry Fox Foundation has supported worldwide over the past 35 years.

February 1, 1981: day Fox’s dream of raising a dollar for every Canadian was realized
24,117,000: total amount, by that day, which was raised.

84: cents from every dollar raised by the Foundation that goes specifically for cancer research

45678: number you can text “Terry Fox” to make a five dollar donation to the Terry Fox Foundation.

524: average number of Canadians diagnosed with cancer each day.

63: percent of today’s likelihood of at least a 5-year survival after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

45 and 41: percent of Canadian men and women, respectively, who will develop cancer in their lifetime.

14: number of Canadian schools named after Terry Fox
15: number of roads

83: number of kilometres of the Trans-Canada Highway, situated between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, renamed the Terry Fox Courage Highway.

9,000+: number of runs held in Terry Fox’s name
9,000+: number of Terry Fox runs led and organized by volunteers