My hero, Terry Fox. Terry Fox to me stands for dedication, determination and hard work. Terry Fox stands for courage and hope. Terry Fox stands for everything I stand for.

The very first time I heard of Terry Fox was In August 1980. I spent that summer in Thunder Bay, Ontario and my dad picked me up to take me back home to Whitby, Ontario. As we were driving down the highway, we saw lights flashing and I believe it was raining that day too. Cars were pulling over to the side of the road. I didn't know what was going on. I remember we pulled over and when we did, I caught a glimpse of Terry Fox, running along the highway, head held high and each step he took, though probably very painful, full of determination.

The thoughts that raced through my mind at seeing Terry Fox have been thoughts that I have lived by for the rest of my life. I thought of an honest young man. I thought of a determined young man. I thought of a courageous young man. I felt so much pride for Terry Fox that day and so much pride for Canada.

My father explained to me on the drive back to Whitby, all about Terry Fox and his marathon of hope. He explained to me that Terry Fox had lost his one leg to cancer and that he was trying to raise money for cancer research. He explained to me how Terry Fox was going to run right across Canada.

I had such admiration for Terry Fox. I thought to myself that I would never forget seeing him running along that highway. I would never forget what Terry Fox stood for. I would never forget Terry Fox's determination.

Back in Whitby, about a week or two later, I heard on the news that Terry Fox would not be running the rest of his marathon. I heard that he had developed cancer in his good leg now too. I remember crying my heart out. I mean, I had just seen him about a week or two prior to that and I had never heard of him until then. Now, Terry Fox becomes a part of my life for years to come.

I remember the day Terry Fox died. I was so sad. I thought about how unfair it was that he wasn't able to finish his marathon. His hopes and dreams had all just vanished. However, I didn't realize at the time that Terry Fox's memory and marathon of hope would still be alive today. I'm glad that the memory of Terry Fox didn't die along with him and that his determination and courage didn't die along with him.

In 2005, my husband and I drove out to Kamloops, British Columbia. We stopped at Thunder Bay to see the memorial statue of Terry Fox. I remember that day it was raining and it was just like the day I had seen Terry Fox running along the highway so many years ago. I cried looking at the statue and I remembered Terry Fox's courage and determination.

I would have to say that Terry Fox is my true hero. Even today, his memory lives on through his marathon of hope that is held each year and I'm sure that Terry Fox's memory lives on in each and every Canadian that witnessed him running across Canada in 1980.