February 4, 2025, marked a special World Cancer Day as the Terry Fox Foundation and the Terry Fox Research Institute unveiled their new brand “Finish It” and officially introduced the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN or The Network) as the roadmap to end cancer as we know it. This initiative—45 years in the making—unites Canada’s top researchers, clinicians, and patients in its collaboration to share clinical and genomic data. Leveraging advanced deep learning technology, The Network aims to provide personalized treatments based on each patient’s unique genomic profile and tumour DNA.
The brand promise is bold and clear: the end of cancer has never felt more within reach. Some patients are already experiencing success through the Network’s projects, and this nationwide collaboration is accelerating breakthroughs, expanding access, and making precision medicine available to more Canadians than ever. Oncology professionals and patients alike feel closer than ever to fulfilling Terry’s dream.
Terry Fox has long been a beacon of hope for cancer patients and a national hero who united Canada in 1980 and beyond. Few have been honoured as widely as he has—from receiving the Order of Canada to being commemorated on stamps, the Canadian passport, the Loonie, and soon, the $5 bill. His legacy lives on in the awareness he raised through his Marathon of Hope, immortalized in statues across the country and captured in countless books and documentaries. It’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed with emotion when I reflect on the small role I have been privileged to play in this bold and ambitious mission—one that is larger than life and save lives every day. The thought that I get to stand alongside the Fox family and the brilliant minds working tirelessly to bring Terry’s dream closer to reality fills me with an indescribable sense of honour, pride and gratitude.
I struggled to find the right words to express what I experienced during yesterday’s launch. The care that went into creating the “Finish It” short was truly remarkable. Knowing the Fox family worked with the main actor, who also had a leg amputation, to authentically capture Terry’s cadence as he neared the end of his run was incredibly moving. Watching the scene where 400 volunteer runners, ran up to and then ran passed Terry, symbolizing the “passing of the baton” to us to finish what he had started. For me, the emotional culmination of the event was the never-before-heard version of “Courage” by The Tragically Hip. For those unfamiliar with them, The Tragically Hip is an iconic Canadian band that formed in 1984 and continued to perform until 2016, even as their lead singer, Gord Downie, battled glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Gord Downie passed away in October 2017, making this collaboration even more poignant. The rendition of “Courage” stripped down to its essence, leaving only Gord’s powerful voice accompanied by beautifully played piano and subtle vocal support from two of his bandmates, created a haunting and beautiful atmosphere. Together, the short film and the song stirred a whirlwind of emotions within me—pride, fear, determination, and above all, a renewed commitment to “Finish It”—for Terry and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who face cancer every year.
You can watch the full brand launch event here and hear my thoughts on what I think the MOHCCN can do for Canadians.
Cancer has changed many aspects of my life, including my ability to work, but it hasn’t diminished my passion for improving cancer care or advocating for the importance of research. Though I can’t work due to my illness, I’m grateful for any support, whether it’s a kind word, sharing my message, buying me a coffee or sending me a small gift.