Terry Fox was diagnosed with osteosarcoma cancer in 1977 and informed that he had a mere 50% chance of survival. He learned that the survival figure had been 15% two years before, thanks to the advancement in cancer research. Several years later, he embarked on cross-Canada run to raise money for the cancer research hoping to collect one dollar from every person in Canada’s then 24 million people.
On 11 July, he was cheered by a large crown of people in Toronto as his fund rising effort got more fame. On that day alone, the cancer society estimated $100,000 in donations value. By the time he had to give up his Marathon due to his worsening condition, Fox had raised $1.7million. He died after falling into a coma on 28 June, 1981. The relentless pursue of his life purpose and meaning, his perseverance to overcome his physical challenge, and strong determination to achieve his selfless goals despite the short time he had left are the legacy that he paved for everyone of us to learn from.
Alexandra “Alex” Scott was only two days before her first birthday in 1997 when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a paediatric cancer. In 2000, after receiving a stem cell transplant, she told her mother, “when I get out of the hospital I want to have a lemonade stand.” She said she wanted to give the money to doctors to allow them to “help other kids, like they helped me.” Later that year, at the age of four, helped by her older brother, Alex started her lemonade stand at her family’s house front lawn and raised over $2,000.
Alex passed away at the age of 8. Her family and supporters are committed to continue what she started through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Like Terry Fox, Alex Scott, despite the short time she had, showed that there are many things a person can do to have such a meaningful life. Both of them are extra ordinary persons with strong commitment and persistence. Terry Fox ran cross country with one prosthetic leg while Alex Scott set up her purposeful lemonade stand at the age of four.
If both of them could do such meaningful undertakings despite their challenges, don’t you think we should be able to do the same, which is to find our life’s purpose to others?
References:
Aryono's Blog 
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