Quote of the day by Terry Fox: ‘Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue...’ Canadian athlete's word of wisdom during his 5000+ km one-legged run

“Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me.” Terry Fox’s words capture the moment when a mission grows larger than the person behind it. Just 18 when cancer took his right leg, Terry lost neither his ambition nor his belief that he could ignite something far greater than a personal milestone. After months of chemotherapy and learning to walk and run on an artificial leg, he set himself an extraordinary goal: to run across Canada and raise money for cancer research.

On April 12, 1980, he dipped his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean at St. John’s, Newfoundland, and began the Marathon of Hope. Day after day, Terry ran close to a full marathon, about 42 kilometres, enduring pain, exhaustion, and harsh weather. For 143 days, he covered 5,373 kilometres, capturing the attention and hearts of an entire nation.

Though cancer forced him to stop near Thunder Bay, because cancer had appeared in his lungs. Terry had already achieved his unimaginable goal of raising $1 for every Canadian, collecting $24.17 million. He passed away at the age of 22, but his mission did not end with him.


Today’s quote by Terry Fox: “Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me.” is about his understanding that his mission was bigger than himself.

He knew there was a real chance he might not survive or complete the Marathon of Hope, but what mattered to him was not personal glory. The “finish” was never just about reaching the other side of Canada; it was about creating a movement for cancer research and awareness. Terry urged people to carry the cause forward, to take responsibility even when he no longer could.

In essence, his inspiring quote gave hope to millions across the world that change doesn’t depend on one person finishing a single task but on inspiring many people to take it up together.

About Terry Fox

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research advocate best known for his Marathon of Hope, a one-legged cross-country run that inspired millions and transformed cancer fundraising in Canada and beyond.

Terry fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was an active and determined teenager with a strong love for sports. At just 18 years old, he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. In 1977, doctors amputated his right leg 15 centimetres above the knee in an effort to save his life.

During his time in the hospital, Terry was deeply moved by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them children. This experience led him to commit to an extraordinary goal: running across Canada to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. He named this journey the Marathon of Hope, a legendary fundraising run across Canada on one leg, using a prosthetic after losing his right leg to cancer.

After 18 months of intense training and running more than 5,000 kilometres to prepare, Terry began his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland, on April 12, 1980. Initially receiving little attention, he ran nearly 42 kilometres a day, gradually capturing national support as donations and public enthusiasm grew across the country. After 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, Terry was forced to stop near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when cancer spread to his lungs. He died on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22.

The Terry Fox Foundation, established in his name, continues his mission of funding cancer research. To date, more than $800 million has been raised worldwide through the annual Terry Fox Run, ensuring that Terry Fox remains a lasting symbol of courage, perseverance, and hope.