Steve Fonyo

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Steve Fonyo (born 1966) is a Canadian man who lost his left leg to cancer and embarked on a cross-Canada marathon to raise funds for cancer research. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of Terry Fox; unlike Fox, who had to abandon his marathon when his cancer returned, Fonyo completed the coast-to-coast marathon. Fonyo began his marathon on March 31, 1984 at 18 years of age and completed it on May 29, 1985, covering 7924 km and raising $13 million (Canadian dollars). The early part of his run was overshadowed by the memory of Fox and some Canadians criticized him as a copycat. Despite this, he persevered and as he progressed beyond Fox's stopping point, he eventually won recognition in his own right for his efforts. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1985. This achievement was marred by grief, as his father died of lung cancer the same year.

In later years he suffered from depression and faced legal difficulties due to various criminal charges for which he ended up receiving a suspended sentence. He recovered and determined to get his life back on course. He studied aircraft maintenance and as of 2004, was working as head mechanic of a limousine company. Legal difficulties continue [1].

"Steve Fonyo Drive" (a road) in Kingston, Ontario is named after him, as is "Steve Fonyo Beach" in Victoria, British Columbia where he ended his run.