Login / RegisterTerry Fox memorial unveiled at B.C. Place
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A new Terry Fox memorial was unveiled at B.C. Place in Vancouver today (September 16).
B.C. Premier Christy Clark was joined by members of the Fox family to unveil the sculptures made by Vancouver artist Douglas Coupland.
The memorial consists of four bronze statues of increasing size, depicting Fox’s distinctive run.
“This four-piece sculpture was created so that people living in 1,000 years, no matter how different or strange their lives may be, can look at it and understand its message,” said Coupland.
“These figures grow in stature as they move forward, as Terry’s legacy has done since 1981. The figures are running towards Stanley Park, where Terry intended to end the Marathon of Hope in December of 1980.”
Darrell Fox, the brother of Terry Fox, noted it’s fitting that the sculptures grow in stature as his brother is depicted running west, given that the Marathon of Hope race for cancer research gathered public support as it travelled from St. John's, Newfoundland.
Terry Fox, who lost his right leg to cancer at the age of 18, planned to finish his cross-country marathon in Vancouver, but his run came to an end just east of Thunder Bay. He died in June of 1981.
“He didn’t quite make it to the Pacific Ocean, but he certainly has left an incredible legacy,” said Darrel Fox.
The ceremony began this morning with a group of about 200 students from Terry Fox Secondary School in Port Coquitlam and three Vancouver schools running into the refurbished Terry Fox Plaza.
The unveiling comes just two days before the annual Terry Fox Run for cancer research, which will take place on Sunday, September 18.
