Terry Fox runner survived same cancer as hero
Robert Bailey, 22, and Terry Fox both diagnosed with osteosarcoma
A 22-year-old man who was diagnosed with the same cancer that killed Terry Fox was able to participate in this weekend's Canada-wide Terry Fox Run thanks to the advances in cancer research that saved his leg.
"Just seeing the image of Terry Fox … is pretty rough for me," said Robert Bailey, who took part in a Toronto run.
A year ago, Bailey could barely walk. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — the same cancer that ended Fox's life when he was Bailey's age.
In 1981, when Fox died, almost all patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma died from the cancer. Now, about 75 per cent of patients survive the disease.
If Fox was being treated today, Bailey's oncologist says Fox most likely would have survived his cancer.
Since his death, Fox's namesake run has raised millions of dollars for cancer research initiatives.
This year, Bailey joined the thousands of Canadians who laced up to run. Though he can't quite run yet, Bailey planned to walk about a kilometre in support of the research that saved his leg.
Click the video to watch Kim Brunhuber's full report.