Montrealer wants national day for Terry Fox on April 12

April 12wasnot just another day for Montreals EddyNolan it wasTerry Fox Day.

Nolan wants April 12 to be Terry Fox Day for all Canadians, and hes campaigning to get Canadas federal government to make it so.

Yesterday he was in St. Johns, Nfld, running a full marathon along the same route Fox took to launch his historic Marathon of Hope for cancer research on April 12,1980.

Nolanand a growing number of people in cities across Canadahave been running tribute marathons for Fox onApril 12for the last three years.

We all feel as Canadians that Terry deserves this day. Hes part of our history. Were very passionate and we want to see April 12 recognized as Terry Fox Day, he told Sonali Karnick, host of the CBC Radios All in a Weekend.

Fox ran the equivalent of a full marathon everyday for 143 days before his cross-Canada trek was cut short by the return of his cancer near Thunder Bay, Ont.

Fox died nine months later on June 28, 1981, at22.

Nolans own recent diagnosis with cancer has helped make the personal connection he feels with Fox that much deeper.

Hes been the most inspirational person in my life, Nolan said.

The school caretaker doesnt see his proposed Terry Fox Day competing with fundraising Terry Fox Runs that take place across Canada and internationally each September. Hes been a keen organizer of those fundraising efforts for years.

He just doesnt want a day that he considers an important moment in Canadian history to pass unrecognized.

Canada stood still when Terry passed away. Terrys part of our history and I feel hes earned that day, he deserves it. And with April 12 on the calendar, hell be forever in our hearts, Nolan said.

Nolans employer, the English Montreal School Board, recognizes April 12 as Terry Fox Day thanks to his efforts.

Now he just has to convince the Canadian government to do the same.