Steve Fonyo
Steve Fonyo is a Canadian figure best known for his monumental run across Canada, dubbed the "Journey for Lives," which took place between March 1984 and May 1985. Born on June 29, 1965, in Montreal, Fonyo lost his left leg to bone cancer at the age of twelve. Inspired by Terry Fox, who similarly sought to raise awareness for cancer research through his own run, Fonyo embarked on a 7,924-kilometer journey starting in St. John's, Newfoundland, and concluding in Victoria, British Columbia. His efforts raised over $13 million for cancer research and led to various locations being named in his honor.
Despite his significant achievements, Fonyo's life later took a downward spiral due to substance abuse and legal troubles, resulting in multiple arrests and criminal charges. His declining circumstances culminated in the revocation of his Order of Canada in 2009, a distinction that requires recipients to maintain a clean legal record. Fonyo found some stability after marrying Lisa Greenwood in 2010, but his story remains a complex tale of triumph and turmoil. In 2012, a documentary titled *Fonyo* was released, exploring both his rise to fame and his subsequent challenges.
Subject Terms
Steve Fonyo
Marathoner
- Born: June 29, 1965
- Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Contribution: Steve Fonyo is a Canadian cancer survivor who, after losing a leg to cancer, organized and completed a cross-country marathon to raise awareness and money for cancer research. He also completed a similar marathon in the United Kingdom. Fonyo was also credited with being the youngest recipient of the Order of Canada, which he received in 1985 in honor of his efforts to raise cancer awareness.
Early Life
Stephen Charles Fonyo was born on June 29, 1965, in Montreal, Canada. Little information is known about his early life and education. Fonyo, who was diagnosed with bone cancer, had the majority of his left leg amputated when he was only twelve years old.
Journey for Lives
The event that made Fonyo a household name in Canada began in 1984 when he decided to emulate, and even outdo, the famous attempt to run across Canada by Terry Fox, a fellow Canadian who also battled bone cancer. The Marathon of Hope had been an attempt by Fox, who also had a leg removed, to raise money and awareness for cancer research. However, Fox never completed the event, as he was forced to quit when his cancer returned.
Tracing Fox’s footsteps, Fonyo began his race, dubbed Journey for Lives, at St. John’s, Newfoundland, on March 31, 1984, with little fanfare. Initially, little money was donated and not much attention was paid to Fonyo’s undertaking. However, by the time he reached Thunder Bay in Ontario, the point at which Fox had to quit the race, Fonyo was receiving large donations for his effort. Finally, on May 29, 1985, Fonyo reached the beach in Victoria, British Columbia, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. In completing the 7,924-kilometer race, Fonyo eventually managed to raise more than $13 million toward cancer research.
After this feat, Fonyo later ran from the northernmost point of Great Britain to its most southern point. Completed in 1987, this run was also part of Fonyo’s attempt to raise money for cancer research. After the run was over, Fonyo announced that he would no longer engage in such marathon races.
In honor of his achievements, Fonyo had various geographic locations named after him, including Steve Fonyo Beach in Victoria, British Columbia; Steve Fonyo Drive in Kingston, Ontario; and Fonyo Road in Saskatchewan.
In 1985, Fonyo was awarded the Variety International Humanitarian Award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of humanity.
Legal Troubles
After finishing the Journey for Lives event, Fonyo’s life took a turn for the worse. He started abusing alcohol and taking narcotics, including cocaine, as a result of depression. Problems with authorities contributed to his being imprisoned at various times. He was accused of theft, fraud, domestic disturbance, and numerous other criminal charges. At one point, he was ordered to court to face sixteen separate criminal charges, including assault with a deadly weapon.
A qualified mechanic, Fonyo later made an attempt to put his past behind him and settle down to a regular lifestyle. In December 2009, however, the Canadian governor general decided to strip Fonyo of his Order of Canada as a result of the various criminal convictions that had become front-page news in the Canadian media. One of the stipulations for holding this honor is that the recipient has not been convicted of a criminal offense.
Personal Life
In 2010, Fonyo married his longtime girlfriend, Lisa Greenwood, on the same beach in Victoria, British Columbia, where he had completed his original run across Canada. In 2012, the documentary Fonyo, chronicling Fonyo’s rise to fame and his subsequent personal and legal troubles, was released.
Bibliography
“Cancer Runner Steve Fonyo Stripped of Order of Canada.” CTV News. Bell Media, 25 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.
“Fonyo Weds on Victoria Beach.” CBC News. CBC, 28 Aug. 2010. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.
Kidd, Kenneth. “Steve Fonyo: Out of Order.” Toronto Star. Toronto Star Newspapers, 31 Jan. 2010. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.
Schrodt, Barbara. “Fonyo, Stephen Charles.” Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion, n.d. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.
“Steve Fonyo Charged with Fraud Related to Credit Card.” CTV News. Bell Media, 6 Aug. 2010. Web. 16 Aug. 2013.