Terry Fox Library, Port Coquitlam

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The Terry Fox display at the Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam has many items, artifacts, awards and gifts given to the Canadian Hero.

The Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam offers more than just books - the building is home to thousands of artifacts collected by Terry Fox and the Fox family some of which are on display such as jerseys; photos of Terry, his family, and his journey across Canada; handmade gifts from fans, memorabilia, and even the clothing and the prosthetic leg that Terry Fox ran with during his Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research. This collection offers a look at Canada's Greatest Hero and how he inspired the World.

The Terry Fox Library was opened in 1992 as a public library for the city of Port Coquitlam as well as home to thousands of photos, fan letters and gifts, memorabilia and other artifacts donated by the Fox Family from Canadian hero, Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. The Fox's have lived in Port Coquitlam since 1968 and their son attended the local schools and trained for his marathon along the streets of the city so it was fitting this library is also a home to this large collection amassed during Terry's lifetime and after his death.

Visitors can view glass displays filled with keys to cities, jerseys and shirts, gifts from fans and photos ranging from the Marathon of Hope to Terry Fox being awarded medals for his efforts to fight cancer. One of the most touching displays is the one which holds the prosthetic leg he ran with, his favourite sock, his running shorts and a pair of his shoes.

Raising millions for cancer research after he lost his own leg to Osteosarcom, Terry Fox became an inspiration to people around the world. This small library in the town he called home is a reminder that greatness is not given, it is earned. The BC Sports Hall of Fame located in BC Place, Downtown Vancouver also honours Terry Fox in its Heroes Gallery which houses a permanent exhibit celebrating Terry's inspirational life

"Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me." ~ Terry Fox

THE TERRY FOX STORY: Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 28, 1958 where he lived until the Fox Family relocated to British Columbia in 1966, settling in Port Coquitlam in 1968. An accomplished athlete, Terry excelled in basketball and hoped to become a gym teacher. In 1976 he was involved in a car crash which left his knee in pain which was later diagnosed to be Osteosarcoma (a form of cancer) and he was told his leg would have to be amputated above the knee and he would have to undergo chemotherapy. After completing chemotherapy Terry Fox decided to follow in the footsteps of Dick Traum, the first amputee to complete the New York Marathon and he began training to compete in local marathons. Disappointed by the lack of funding for cancer research, Terry decided to embark on a marathon to raise one dollar for each Canadian - $24 million - for cancer research. After one year of preparing and training on the roads of Port Coquitlam he started his journey by dipping his leg into the Atlantic Ocean near St. John's, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. Initially his Marathon of Hope raised money slowly, but by the time he reached Ontario, thousands lined the streets to see him and donations poured in from across the country. However, on his 143rd day of running, 5,280 kilometres from his starting point, pain and weakness forced him to stop. The cancer had returned. Terry Fox's heroic story did not end there. Millions of dollars poured in fulfilling his goal of $24 million dollars and he continued treatment. Terry Fox succumbed to cancer on June 28, 1981 but his courageous battle and his Marathon of Hope live on in the hearts of Canadians who have named him their greatest hero. Today, Canadians participate in the annual Terry Fox Run held every September to raise money for cancer research, this is Terry Fox's legacy.