Terry Fox inspired millions of people when he set off across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research and his story still inspires millions of people to this day.
One person who was personally inspired by Terry Fox is Toronto Rock goalie Brandon Miller, who also happens to be a cancer survivor. The Orangeville, Ontario native was diagnosed with leukemia when he was two-years-old and was able to beat it, but it was something that happened a little later in life that made Terry’s legacy even more personal to him.
“Terry's legacy became even more personal to me and my family as we learned that my younger brother Kyle was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2003 (the same cancer Terry had). Kyle fought the disease with Terry as his daily inspiration. He not only beat it, he went on to finish his degree at Cornell university and won a gold medal as a member of Team Canada at the 2006 Lacrosse world championships,” explained Miller.
“After his triumph, so moved by the strength Terry's legacy gave him during his fight, Kyle started working with the Terry Fox Foundation, visiting schools and working with kids to share both his and Terry's story. The work became my brother's passion, and he put his heart and soul into it right up until the cancer returned. Kyle's Cancer battle once again mirrored Terry's history, as the Osteosarcoma returned in his lungs.”
Unfortunately, after living cancer free for eight years, Kyle’s second battle became too steep to overcome and sadly passed away in 2013.
This year, Brandon is doing something extra special in honour of his brother Kyle and Terry Fox, the man who helped inspire him on a daily basis, through a custom mask he will rock this season.
Brandon has teamed up with artist David Arrigo to create a special Terry Fox themed mask and the final result is incredible.
Through the Terry Fox Foundation’s website, Brandon will be auctioning off his mask through a season-long online auction and will donate all the proceeds towards the foundation. For each $20 donation, the donors will receive a ballot to win the incredible mask in a draw that will take place during the Rock’s final home game in April.
On the back of the mask, Arrigo and Miller have included the names of 10 children between the ages of 1 and 16 who are part of a group that the Terry Fox Foundation created called ‘Terry’s Team’. These kids are all currently fighting or have already fought cancer and are inspirational ambassadors of Terry’s legacy.
This is definitely one of the nicest masks we’ve come across all season long and it’s even better that it’s going towards a good cause.
To find out more about Brandon’s story or The Terry Fox Foundation, you can do so by clicking here.
(H/T David Arrigo, Brandon Miller)
