Can any Canadian say truthfully that Terry Fox is not their hero?

I don’t think so in this book featuring excerpts from Terry’s journal and interviews with his family and friends and people he interacted with during his life and the Marathon of Hope Is an excellent testament to his memory.

This is one of those books that moves you to tears and inspires you to do better like Terry.

I listen to the audiobook and found that the narration was excellently performed especially the reading of Terry’s journal. The use of multiple voice actors brought this compilation of biography, journal, and interviews to life.

Just like Terry story in general. This book brought me to tears of joy and sorrow. it’s an excellent reminder of what an amazing person he was and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

🇨🇦 Today all across Canada is the Terry Fox Run 🇨🇦 and it's a fitting day to finish this book.

Terry Fox is the greatest of Canadian heroes. In death described as, a "Great son of Canada."

All Canadians know he ran across Canada to raise money for Cancer research all with only one leg. Such an incredible thing! He started his, "Marathon of Hope" in 1980 after being diagnosed with cancer himself and losing one leg. A young man of only 21 years of age. Essentially running a marathon a day! Today, he is also remembered as the inspiration for many "Cancer Runs" that take place around the world. This book goes into much more than just his, "Marathon of Hope" but delves into his character and drive in his short life.

The book interviews several people who knew Terry. From family, friends, doctors, and just everyday people he came into contact with. There are also notes included from his journal that he kept while running, his Marathon of Hope that helps us to better understand the exceptional young man he was.

Such a young, positive and selfless man who still inspires people today. His mantra was simple. In his own words.

"Anything is possible if you try."

I think the best way to sum up Terry and his impact comes from a nurse in the book.

"He was a regular person who did amazing things and if he as a regular person could do amazing things so could you. That's what's so important to hear for people. Terry, Joe average but did things in spades. So could you. You don't have to do it internationally but in your own little corner and make an impact on just one person even."

This is an inspiring story that I highly recommend. I listened to the audiobook and missed the 200 photographs that are included in the print version. I think this book would make a great gift for anyone but especially for someone who is looking for purpose and needs to be uplifted.

As a millennial Canadian, I grew up learning about Terry Fox and participating in the annual Terry Fox Run at school. I've always thought Terry Fox was such an amazing and inspirational person, as most Canadians also think. I always looked forward to learning about Terry and his Marathon of Hope each year. This book is great because it not only shares the story of Terry Fox that we all know but also shares it from the point of view of those around him, those he met along his journey and those that had even just a small part in his story. Hearing their stories and how Terry inspired and motivated them to do incredible things was awe-inspiring. This is definitely a book that all Canadians should read.
 
I listened to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed the narrators.

I’ve been into memoirs lately and, especially while I train for a marathon myself, this book on Terry Fox certainly perked my interest. I only knew simple highlights that he’d been a young man diagnosed with cancer whose leg was amputated and had decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, but I didn’t know much else. That honestly probably helped me enjoy this book more because it seemed like pretty basic, fluffy, hopeful information and, had I already known a lot, I might have found this book boring. I also listened to this book on audio (often while running) and I would recommend this more as a “nightstand read” - a couple memories of people who interacted with Terry on his run each evening versus binging all the stories through one narrator all at once. Don’t get me wrong, the memories are beautiful and inspiration and Terry was truly an incredible person and the effects of his memory live long and strong still, but it felt a little repetitive after a while and all the people kind of ran together. Part of the proceeds to this book go toward cancer research via the Canadian government, so that’s neat. And I definitely want to go watch some Terry Fox content now.

It's hard to imagine that there's a soul who doesn't know about the life of Terry Fox. Yet, there are, in fact, people who've grown up in the years after Fox's life ended at the age of 21 who are unfamiliar with the remarkable journey of this intensely driven, courageous, and resilient young man.

In 1976, the 18-year-old Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and would end up having his right leg amputated just above the knee. It didn't take long for Fox to set out on a mission to help cure cancer in an effort to keep others from enduring what he'd endured. The "Marathon of Hope" became Fox's almost unimaginable mission with the goal of running 5,300 miles across Canada from St. John's Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia. Fox started his run on April 12, 1980, a Canadian public mostly not paying attention to his efforts.

Then, it began to grow.

Terry's running would inspire the nation. It wasn't rare for him to be on the news multiple nights weekly and the entire nation became obsessed with the Marathon of Hope. Sadly, after 143 days and 3,339 miles Fox was forced to end his run when his cancer returned. He passed away in 1981, Canada becoming a nation that picked up his passion and raising $850 million to date - well above his original goal of raising $1 for every Canadian. The Terry Fox run continues to be an annual, worldwide event.

Hope by Terry Fox features excerpts from Terry's very own Marathon of Hope Journal along with interviews from dozens of people throughout Terry's life including siblings, nurses, coaches, volunteers, and others who share how Terry touched their lives and how he was able to run a marathon a day.

The print version version contains over 200 photos and documents along with the interviews, stories, and passages that will inform, inspire, and challenge everyone to do what they can to make a difference in the world.

Having grown up practically in the same time period as Fox (he was slightly older), his efforts inspired me as a paraplegic and soon to be double amputee. When I began my long-distance wheeling events in my early 20s, there's no question that Fox was one of my primary sources of installation.

In fact, there's little doubt I'll be picking up the print version of this book. On this occasion, however, I experienced the audio version of the book read by Sarah Wilson and Evan Mackenzie. I must confess that I found the audio version somewhat less satisfying, Wilson's narrative almost too reverent and the book's tone easily crossing the line into what the late British comic Stella Young called "inspiration porn." As someone who has wheeled over 6,000 miles myself for charity, I completely get it. However, there were times in "Hope by Terry Fox" that it became downright syrupy. The story itself is inherently dramatic - I'd have preferred a little more variation in the reading to help humanize the different storytellers. This is especially true because, at times, the stories were very similar.

However, for those of us who've long been inspired by Fox "Hope by Terry Fox" remains a "must read" and definitely a book I'll be adding to my own collection.

Review of “Hope by Terry Fox”

By: Barbara Adhiya, Barbara Adhiya (editor)

Available September 24/2024

Check it Out on Goodreads!!

Disclaimer: Please note that I received an Audio ARC from NetGalley and ECW Press Audio, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Rating System Below)

Hope by Terry Fox is a solid read, but it’s not quite what I expected. Instead of really diving into Terry Fox’s personal thoughts and experiences, the book focuses more on the people surrounding him during the Marathon of Hope. While it offers some touching stories, it felt a bit disconnected and repetitive at times, with a lot of commentary from others rather than Terry himself. It would have been better if it were marketed as a collection of stories from those whom’s lives had been impacted by Terry’s journey. If you’re new to Terry Fox’s story, it’s an excellent introduction, but for those already familiar with his legacy, it doesn’t offer much fresh insight.

Get it at…

📗 - Hard Copy -📗

Your Local Canadian Book Seller

Indigo

Amazon Canada

📱 - Digital - 📱

Kobo

Kindle

🎧 - Audio - 🎧

Audible - May Be Available Now

Libro.FM - May Be Available Now

*Star Rating Guide*

⭐

The writing style didn’t appeal to me.

The characters didn’t resonate with me.

I pushed myself to the limit to avoid DNF’ing.

I wouldn’t suggest this book to anyone I’m acquainted with.

⭐⭐

The book was passable, but it won’t stick in my mind.

Although I didn’t abandon the book, my mind wasn’t fully immersed in the story.

I discovered that it was easy for me to stop reading it and not feel compelled to continue promptly.

When everything was said and done, I was unsure of my immediate opinion on this book.

⭐⭐⭐

If someone is actively seeking a book in this general premise, I would suggest this.

While it was good, I don’t think I’ll ever pick up this book for a second read.

If it were part of a series, I’d probably venture into the next book.

Reading it was time well-spent.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was brilliant.

I had the urge to keep reading and turn to the next page.

The book stayed on my mind for days after I finished it.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was actively engaged in wanting to finish reading this book.

My thoughts are consumed by this book after completing it.

I want to have a physical copy as a trophy that I can display on my shelf.

I felt a strong connection and investment while reading this book, would definitely recommend.

I was in elementary school when Terry Fox, who had one leg amputated due to cancer was running across Canada to raise awareness and money in 1980. He was scheduled to run through Winnipeg (he was born in Winnipeg), a block away from my school. We raised money. We made posters and banners. We had permission slip’s signed so that we could leave school to watch him pass by on Main St. I don’t remember being told he wasn’t coming through our city after all but I do remember the assembly we had after he died. I will never forget the collective grief in that gymnasium.

Needless to say, I have always held a spot in my heart for Terry and his incredible effort. Running also became a passion of mine and not one race day passes without thoughts of him.

I try wholeheartedly to read and watch just about everything I can about Terry Fox, so I immediately requested this audiobook ARC from Netgalley when I saw it available. It feature excerpts from Terry’s personal diary’s and shares some untold details of his marathon. It also has first hand accounts and interviews with his siblings, coaches and nurses, telling the story that lead him to start the run. It’s very well researched, documented and executed. Easily a 5 star for me and I highly recommend it, especially to fellow Canadian’s who cherish Terry Fox as I do.

Get To Know Terry Fox

I found this book a real inspiring and uplifting book.

It is really well researched, and well written.

I learned so many things about Terry's life that I had no idea of.

As a disability advocate and also runner myself, I got a lot of inspiration and insight.

Really important and informative book on a Canadian legend.

Definitely recommend checking out this book.

4.8/5

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟➕

Every now and then one of those books comes along that makes you stop, take a beat, and reset. This is just such a book - a heartbreaking, gorgeous compendium of interviews, journal entries, and notes concerning who must be (and still is) “the greatest Canadian hero ever”. This, of course, is Terry Fox — in the words of Darryl Sittler, a Maple Leaf hockey legend, (and one of the interviewees in this book).

Terry Fox, for those who may still not know him, was an eighteen-year old student at Simon Fraser University, — a smallish athlete of only medium physical ability but, according to coaches and teammates who knew him, Terry was gifted with extraordinary grit and perseverance.

In 1977, when Terry experienced pain in his knee, the worst moments in his life happened. Yet somehow Terry “took the worst possible news and made it into something great for all Canadians”. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a malignant form of deadly cancer, Terry’s leg was amputated above the knee four days later. Finding himself bedded into a pediatric ward, due to the fast-moving surgical happenings, Terry encountered ten and eleven year old boys, suffering with the same illness, some going through the same horrific experiences that he was.

What happened next, as described by the (over fifty) interviews in this book, is the stuff of legends. Terry decided then and there, that “the hurting must stop and I am determined to take myself to the limit for this cause”. And so he did. Terry’s family, friends, team mates, and coaches describe how they saw his plan unfold — a run across the entirety of Canada — to raise money and awareness for Cancer research. With his one leg, and a bare-bones prosthetic, Terry determined he would run the equivalent of a marathon a day, an average of 26 miles — every single day.

Beginning on April 12 1980, at age 21, Terry began his run from the east coast of St John’s, Newfoundland. This book tells his story, with a breadth and depth, and a personal touch, that is breathtaking (unseen in any of the previous books written about Terry).

In these pages, amongst others, we hear the words of his family, his girlfriend, his best friends, his supporters, people who met him along the way, his medical staff, his prosthetist, a parole officer, a hotel magnate, and a baker - everywhere people whose lives were touched by Terry, many of them cancer survivors themselves.

According to those closest to him, Terry’s run was punishing, and he was in unbelievable pain. And yet he carried on. Right up until the point when his cancer, horrifically, returned, and he was forced to abandon his run in Thunder Bay on Sept 1, 1980.

Terry passed on June 28, 1981. Terry’s legacy, - The Terry Fox Foundation, and the Terry Fox Research Institute - to this day, have raised over 900 million dollars for Cancer research.

This book, and the stories it tells, all of them, will break your heart but will open it at the same time, to the greatness inside all of us - and the Hope that can transform a nation.

I listened to the audio version of this book - a personal journey rendered so intimately that its content will stick me. Forever.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author/editor of this book, and the publisher. All thoughts presented are my own.

At nineteen an average guy had pain in his knee and learned that he had osteosarcoma and needed to have his leg amputated above the knee. That man was Terry Fox and his response after the chemo was to RUN ACROSS CANADA to raise awareness and money for cancer research. His determination and perseverance kept him doing the equivalent of a marathon a day for 146 days. Even when the cancer returned and he couldn't continue on to finish, others were inspired to continue. And they still do even though he died in 1980. This book is testimony of his impact on others and the attributes that define him and his motto: #No Matter What. I do want to get the print copy to see all the photographs, but I am thankful that I was able to receive a free temporary audio from ECW Press Audio via NetGalley on my request. The audio was ably narrated by Sarah Wilson and Evan Mackenzie on behalf of the many contributors.
This year's Terry Fox Run is being held all across Canada and in other parts of the world on September 15, 2024.
#TerryFoxRun @TerryFoxCanada @marathonofhope @tfri_research #NoMatterWhat