Port Coquitlam Celebrates Terry Fox with New Sculptures on 45th Anniversary

The city of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope by unveiling two new sculptures dedicated to Canadian icon Terry Fox. The public art installation, named Gateway of Giants, was revealed during a ceremony on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the legacy of Fox, who is revered for his efforts in cancer research fundraising.

The event featured remarks from Fox’s niece, Kirsten Fox, who expressed gratitude for the community’s support. “It’s always so amazing to have the community come together and it really feels like they wrap their arms around Terry at this moment,” she said. The sculptures, crafted by Spanish artist Casto Solano, are strategically placed in an open plaza along Wilson Avenue, designed to invite visitors to reflect on Fox’s journey.

The city aims to create an approachable space where visitors can interact with the sculptures. “We just wanted to do something that was a bit unique that reflected both Terry’s time growing up here in PoCo, when he was just an average kid,” said Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam. He highlighted the potential for parents to share stories about Fox, encouraging conversations about his remarkable life and mission.

Terry Fox embarked on his historic Marathon of Hope in 1980, aiming to raise funds for cancer research following the amputation of one of his legs due to the disease. His journey commenced on April 12, 1980, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, where he dipped his foot into the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, Fox was forced to halt his trek on September 1, 1980, in Ontario, when his cancer returned. Despite this, his initiative has continued to inspire events across Canada, raising over $850 million for cancer research.

This anniversary serves as a point of pride for Fox’s family and friends. “It says that people believe in Terry. They still connect with his values that he taught us: determination, perseverance, empathy,” Kirsten Fox noted during the ceremony. The new sculptures are located on a pathway leading to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, which houses an exhibit dedicated to Fox’s legacy.

The exhibit features personal artifacts, including Fox’s spare prosthetic leg and a Marathon of Hope T-shirt. Alward, Fox’s best friend who drove the original Marathon of Hope van, emphasized the sculptures as a lasting tribute to Fox’s enduring impact. “Terry realized what the most important thing in life was: giving back,” he stated.

As the community reflects on Terry Fox’s legacy, the unveiling of the Gateway of Giants stands as a testament to his extraordinary journey and the ongoing commitment to cancer research in his name.