Skip to main content
Loading...
Terry Fox Run inspires a common purpose for students and staff
  • Terry Fox Run inspires a common purpose for students and staff

Terry Fox was just 18 years old – just a few years older than many of our own Trinity College School students – when he first conceived of running across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. Sitting in a hospital room, awaiting the surgery to remove his right leg due to osteosarcoma, Terry read about a amputee runner and dreamt of running himself. Three years and one month later, Terry dipped his prosthetic leg in the Atlantic Ocean at St. John’s, Newfoundland, and began his Marathon of Hope across Canada.

While Terry’s cancer forced him to end his run after 5,373 kilometres and 143 days, his inspiration was just beginning. Following his death in June 1981, that fall the first annual Terry Fox Run was held.

On September 23rd, the TCS students and staff gathered to honour Terry’s legacy by walking or running together on the Hedney-Geale Trail. In addition to raising funds for cancer research, this event brought our community together in common purpose. This was a day to celebrate and to embrace hope and our own potential to make a difference.

For Senior School students, the run was preceded by a special presentation in Cirne Commons, led by student leaders, and including a video about Terry Fox. Junior School students took part in a special assembly on Tuesday, September 20th, and then on Friday learned more about Terry during presentations in their homeforms.

Students and staff took to the course with enthusiasm, enjoying crisp fall weather as they undertook the 3km walk or 5km run. After crossing the finish line, they headed to the terraces for a barbecue lunch prepared by the culinary services staff.

Special thanks to the run organizers and those who volunteered on the course as marshals. As well, heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the TCS fundraising campaign. Together, we can work towards Terry’s dream of a world without cancer.

View the Terry Fox Run ’22 gallery for more photos.