One-legged runner reaches goal

Press, 31 May 1985, Page 6

One-legged runner reaches goal

NZPA-Reuter Victoria, British Columbia

Steve Fonyo, a one-legged cancer victim, who 14 months ago began a crossCanada run to raise money for cancer research, completed his 8000 km journey yesterday. The chunky teen-ager from British Columbia, who lost most of his left leg to cancer at the age of 12, started his trek by dipping his artificial leg into the Atlantic off Newfoundland. By the time he reached the Pacific at mile zero of the Trans-Canada Highway at Victoria yesterday, he

had worn out six artificial legs and raised about sCan7 million for cancer research.

Several thousand people gathered to watch the official ceremony marking the completion of Mr Fonyo’s run, which forced him to battle a bitter Canadian winter and to conquer the Rocky Mountains.

“I have run in cold, I have run on ice, I have run in the rain, I have run in the sunshine. But mostly I have run on hope, the hope that soon there will be a cure for cancer,” he said as he neared the end of his journey.

“I’m not a hero, I’m just a 19-year-old guy who got cancer.”

Earlier this week, Mr Fonyo paused to lay a wreath at a memorial to Terry Fox, a one-legged cancer victim who attempted the same feat in 1980 and managed to raise almost sCan2o million for cancer research.

Mr Fox, the inspiration for Mr Fonyo’s run, had to stop half-way across Canada when the cancer spread through his body. He died a national hero in 1981 at the age of 22. Mr Fonyo had to struggle

out of the shadow of Mr Fox, and it was not until he broke into western Canada that his financial support began to build.

The Federal Government announced a contribution of sCanl million to the Canadian Cancer Society to launch the Stephen Fonyo Fund, to be used to assist children with cancer and improve cancer detection and treatment.

The Prime Minister, Mr Brian Mulroney, praised Mr Fonyo in the House of Commons earlier yesterday and urged Canadians to continue to support cancer research.