Students at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School poured into the gymnasium on April 30, many of them wearing cowboy hats, boots, plaid shirts or western belt buckles in honour of student Gerry McAdam, who passed away earlier this year.
The students were gathered for a very special reason. Fred Fox, the older brother of Canadian legend Terry Fox, was waiting in the gym to address the school population.
Teacher Sia Georgaklis had reached out to the Terry Fox Foundation at the start of the year to ask whether the organization did anything for children with cancer who contribute to their school and community. Lyne Benoit, the foundation’s Quebec representative, was moved by Gerry’s inspirational wish to create a training facility for the Hemmingford Fire Service, and by the supportive community which has now raised more than $100,000 to ensure his dream comes true.
Benoit brought the story to Fox, who in turn sent a video to Gerry and his family and had a plaque made. He, too, was touched by Gerry’s story, and when he discovered he was scheduled to speak at some schools in Montreal, he reached out to CVR to see about organizing a quick visit.
The timing coincided with International Firefighters Day on May 4, and the Leadership team at CVR decided the day of Fox’s visit would also be “Western Day.”
Principal Lynn Harkness commented that normally students would be asked to remove their hats during an assembly, but “Today we are asking you to wear them with pride and in honour of Gerry and all that he stood for.”
Georgaklis added that “Gerry’s signature cowboy hat and boots were more than just clothing. They became symbols of his spirit and are forever synonymous with him.” She pointed out that students and staff were also given stickers to wear that paid tribute to his passion for firefighting.
Fox began his address by tipping his own cowboy hat. His visit to CVR was one of his last stops before heading home. “What a special way for me to end my visit here in Quebec – to honour Gerry, and to know how he was so much like Terry, as well,” said Fox, who thanked the school staff and administration for making the event happen on short notice.
Fox spoke about growing up in the Fox family with his “very determined” brother. He pointed out that the impact of Terry’s Marathon of Hope is still relevant and continues to be recognized, 45 years after his brother began his journey on foot from St. John’s, Newfoundland.
He described how Terry taught himself how to walk after his right leg was amputated around five inches above his knee when he was just 18 years old. Two years later Terry taught himself to run with an artificial leg that was designed for walking. By the time he turned 21, he was running almost 20 kilometres a day and was preparing to run a marathon. It was then that he told his parents he wanted to run across the country to raise money for cancer research.
“Terry Fox wasn’t running to become a hero, not to be famous, not to become rich from what he was doing. Terry was running because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of so many people,” said Fox. His brother ran 5,373 kilometres before being forced to stop in Thunder Bay. He passed away nine months later, on June 28, 1981.
Fox showed an image of a drawing that ran in a newspaper the morning after Terry’s death was announced. It depicted a baton being passed. “And that is what you guys have been doing here for so many years. You have had 18 Terry Fox runs and you have raised almost $65,000 for cancer research over those years,” he told the students. “You guys need to know that you are making a difference.”
Fox finished his address by reminding those in attendance that one person with a dream can make a difference. He then presented Gerry’s family with the plaque on behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation, to commemorate his courage, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity just like Terry’s.
Before the assembly came to a close, it was announced that a tree would be planted on the CVR campus as a living tribute to Gerry. The gymnasium then erupted with a thunderous standing ovation.