Minister Moore Announces Major Partnership to Honour One of Canada's Greatest Heroes: Terry Fox

BURNABY, BC, July 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced a partnership agreement between the friends of the Terry Fox Collection and the future Canadian Museum of History to honour the legacy of Terry Fox, one of Canada's greatest heroes. Together they will develop an exhibition featuring the story and legacy of Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. The exhibition will open at the future Canadian Museum of History in 2015, in conjunction with the 35^th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope.

"Terry Fox is one of Canada's greatest heroes and his story deserves to be known by all Canadians as an important part of our nation's history," said Minister Moore. "The Marathon of Hope inspired future generations worldwide, and Terry's legacy continues to raise millions of dollars for cancer research year after year. During the first ever Canada History Week, I am honoured to announce a partnership that will give Canadians the opportunity to learn about Terry's life and his outstanding achievements."

The exhibition will feature some of the key artifacts from Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, which he undertook in 1980 to raise funds for cancer research after losing his leg to cancer at age 18. The Marathon began in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, on April 12, 1980, and ended 143 days later in Thunder Bay, Ontario, when his cancer returned. He had completed 5 373 kilometres of his journey. Terry passed away at the age of 22 on June 28, 1981. To date, more than $600 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.

"We are thankful to the Minister and the Government of Canada for this partnership, which will ensure the preservation, restoration, and conservation of the Terry Fox Collection for future generations of Canadians. We are also extremely grateful to all at the Museum, as well as at Library and Archives Canada, for their dedication to the collection and interest in Terry's legacy and journey," said Darrell Fox, Terry's younger brother.

"This remarkable and unique collection offers an inclusive, interactive, and moving way to share Terry's story and cancer research legacy with Canadians from coast to coast and visitors to Canada from all walks of life," said Rob Reid, spokesperson for the friends of the Terry Fox Collection. "Our sincere thanks to Terry's family for their generosity in sharing the more than 200,000 items that comprise this private collection. We are equally indebted to Minister Moore and the Government of Canada for their commitment to ensuring this Collection, which includes thousands of items given to Terry during his journey, will be shared with current and future generations of Canadians as well as all who visit Canada. All who see the Collection will be inspired by Terry's dream, run, and story."

"The Museum of Civilization is very proud to be working with the friends of the Terry Fox Collection in developing this important exhibition about Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope," said Mark O'Neill, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which will soon become the Canadian Museum of History. "As Canada's national museum of history, we look forward to sharing the story of one of Canada's greatest heroes, and his incredible legacy, with Canadians across the country."

In addition to the exhibition to open at the Museum in April 2015, the partnership agreement includes the joint development of a travelling version of the exhibition for Canadians across the country. The partnership agreement also sets a foundation for the preservation of the Terry Fox Collection, including the digitization of key documents selected for the exhibitions. For the duration of the partnership, the friends of the Collection will make it available for research, preservation, and exhibition by the future Canadian Museum of History. 

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)