Vancouver Bandits wore their special edition Terry Fox tribute jersey during a Canada Day afternoon match-up versus the Scarborough Shooting Stars at 91原创 Events Centre that saw them win an exciting 110-97 victory before 4,408 fans.
It came one day after the team announced a new three-year commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation.
The special edition tribute jersey, which features iconic imagery of Terry Fox and celebrates the legacy of his Marathon of Hope, was launched in 2024. Proceeds from each jersey sold were donated to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of cancer research across Canada.
A limited selection of replica jerseys were available for sale at the Bandits鈥� Canada Day match-up, which was dedicated in Terry鈥檚 honour.
鈥淭erry Fox is a national hero whose legacy continues to inspire generations. As a team rooted in community, we are honoured to partner with the Terry Fox Foundation over the next three years to carry forward Terry鈥檚 message of courage, hope, and determination, 鈥� said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. 鈥淭he special edition jersey pays tribute to Terry鈥檚 vision and a symbol of the strength we all strive to embody, on and off the court.鈥�
Each replica jersey available for fans to purchase at the game featured the no. 4, which was the number worn by Terry during his season as a member of Simon Fraser University鈥檚 (SFU) junior varsity basketball team in 1977.
Despite an eventual cancer diagnosis that required his right leg to be amputated, as well as chemotherapy and surgery, Fox continued to excel in sports.
He joined Rick Hansen as a member of his wheelchair basketball team and eventually won three national titles with the team before embarking on his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980.
Inscribed on the front and back of the special edition jersey are the names of all the cities, parks, and towns where Terry started and ended his daily run during his tremendous journey from St. John鈥檚, Newfoundland to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Fox鈥檚 goal was to run from Canada鈥檚 east coast in Newfoundland to its west coast in Victoria, British Columbia, raising awareness and funds for cancer research.
Terry鈥檚 Marathon of Hope spanned 143 days and 5,373 kilometres before he fell too ill to continue. He ran an average of 26 miles daily 鈥� equivalent to the distance of running a marathon each day of his mission across Canada. Fox鈥檚 running route spanning Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario is etched on the jersey.
Next up, Bandits will host Brampton Honey Badgers Sunday, July 6 at LEC. Game time is 5 p.m.
