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WBBM-FM, known on air as "B96", is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois owned by CBS Radio. Although classified by Mediabase and CBS Radio (the station's owner)^[1] as a CHR, BDS still classifies the station as a Rhythmic Top 40. The station broadcasts at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 4.2 kW. WBBM's main competition is WKSC-FM "103.5 Kiss FM", as well as urban rivals WGCI-FM & WPWX.

Station history[link]

WBBM-FM began as a simulcast of WBBM-AM radio in 1941. They played a MOR personality and music format. By 1967, WBBM-FM adopted the "young sound" easy listening format along with its sister stations. By 1969, WBBM-FM switched to a progressive rock format but would evolve to an adult top 40 format by 1973. In the late '70s, the station morphed to a rhythmic top 40 format focusing on disco and R&B. An interesting sidenote, Dick Bartley, who later became a very popular syndicated personality, spent time at WBBM-FM as Program Director in the late '70s.

In 1982, WBBM-FM picked up a top 40 format known as "Hot Hits," which was created by consultant Mike Joseph in 1977 for WTIC-FM in Hartford, Connecticut. That concept, one of the earliest examples of CHR, also revitalized the top 40 format and would play a role in bringing the format to the FM band throughout the 1980s. The concept was to play only the current hits on the top 30 and no recurrents or oldies whatsoever. The format was delivered with up tempo energy and plenty of jingles. The original staff of "96 Now" as the station was called included Steve Davis, Joe Dawson, Gary Spears, Dave Robbins, Bob Lewis, Frank Foster and Tony Taylor. As a "Hot Hits" station, WBBM-FM (now known as "96 NOW") played the Top 5 hits every hour and in between other hits on the Top 50 chart. Beginning in 1983, Hot Hits stations started playing recent hits from the past several years mixed into the Hot Hits. WBBM-FM therefore evolved into a more common CHR station as a result. WBBM-FM led the competition with CHR and at times was the number one station in Chicago. Out of all of the "Hot Hits" stations, WBBM-FM was the most successful for the longest period of time and managed to accomplish what a long line of stations since the 1960s had been unable to do: defeat WLS for Chicago's top 40 radio crown. By the end of 1982, Mike Joseph was no longer consulting WBBM-FM, and the station had adopted its trademark "B96" name under Program Director Buddy Scott. Even without Joseph the station continued to flourish.

By 1989, WBBM-FM would start embracing a lot of dance product, especially the home-grown house sub genre. That move would result in B96 evolving into a very dance-leaning rhythmic top 40 direction by 1990. Under this direction they would see ratings skyrocket out of nowhere and through most of the decade would set the standard as a cutting-edge leader when it came to breaking Dance music acts from La Bouche to Rozalla in the United States.^[2]

By the end of the 1990s, however, B96 would start embracing acts from the world of R&B/hip-hop and pop as the dance scene dried up. But even today they haven't forgotten their roots as most of their daily and weekend mixshows are still dance-intensive and still spike a track or two in between the current hits from time to time. This choice of music genres puts WBBM in prime competition with heritage hip hop/urban contemporary station WGCI-FM and mainstream top 40 station WKSC-FM.

The station also acknowledges its gay audience by appearing at the annual Chicago Pride Parade, as well as many other gay-related events.

In December 2005, the existing station launched into HD Radio and added an HD2 FM sub-carrier to program commercial-free Dance Top 40 hits 24/7, similar to the pioneering former Energy 92.7/5.

CBS has owned WBBM-FM since the beginning, even though they merged with Westinghouse in 1995, Infinity in 1997, and Viacom in 2000. Through CBS Radio, the CBS Corporation continues to own WBBM-FM.

In October 2008, the station slogan changed from "Chicago's Hits & Hip-Hop" to "Chicago's #1 Hit Music Station". The change was to help promote the station as a rhythmic CHR station, and will not play as much hip-hop as before. At the time B96 was "Chicago's Hits & Hip-Hop", ratings were falling and B96 was making many changes in their air-staff. The trend was later followed at sister rhythmic contemporary stations KLUC-FM in Las Vegas, Nevada (which moved from contemporary hit radio in 2009) and as of 2010, KZON in Phoenix, Arizona. On August 1, 2011, the WBBM-FM calls were not transferred to 105.9 FM as CBS Radio decided to retain the WCFS-FM calls for the station after it began flipping from adult contemporary to all-news to simulcast WBBM. By 2012, WBBM-FM was moved to the Mediabase contemporary hit radio panel; however, like with WWKL in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the station is still on the Nielsen BDS rhythmic contemporary panel and hasn't reflected the current shift to a more pop-leaning/less hip-hop intensive playlist resembling WKSC-FM more closely, as both stations skew away from rock and have a more rhythmic sound.

On-air staff[link]

The WBBM-FM on-air staff include:^[3]

• J-Niice - Morning Show host
• Julian on the Radio - Morning Show host
• Showbiz Shelly - Morning Show Entertainment Reports
• Nikki - Midday host
• J-Roman - Afternoon host
• Dougie Stylz "Stylz"- Afternoon host
• Jason Cage- Evening host
• Jerzy - Weekend Host
• Rebecca Ortiz - Weekend Host
• Dj Flipside - 5 O'Clock Traffic Jam

Morning Show[link]

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B96 was probably most known for its flagship “Eddie & JoBo” morning show. Joe Colborn (stage name "Bohannon") first signed on at B96 in 1984 hosting evening as “JoBo In Chicago”. Ed Volkman started at B96 in 1986 hosting morning drive along with Karen Hand and Mike Elston. When Elston left B96 in 1988, Bohannon was moved to mornings along with Volkman and Hand and the “JoBo & Eddie” show was born. The duo enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

On November 21, 2008, Eddie, JoBo and Erica were relieved of their morning show duties, marking the end of an era in Chicago radio.

On December 31, it was announced that Julian Nieh and Jamar "J Niice" McNeil would be replacing the Eddie & JoBo & Erica Show. "J Niice & Julian on the Radio" made its debut January 5, 2009 in the 5:30-10 a.m. slot. The two were previously together at Clear Channel's WIHT in Washington, D.C.

Summer Bash concerts[link]

B96 has held a summer concert^[4] at various local venues since 1992, with the exception of one year that it wasn't held due to a perceived lack of good musical talent available to perform. When it started in 1992, it was held at the World Music Theater in Tinley Park (now called First Midwest Bank Amphitheater). After several years, it moved to the Joliet Raceway where it stayed until moving to the Maywood Park Racetrack for a year, and then to Toyota Park in Bridgeview in 2007. The event has hosted top musical acts as well as local acts, including J Roman who is now half of B96's afternoon drive show. Several artists have appeared more than once over the years. The Summer Bash concert series proved so successful that the station also began a winter/holiday season version of the event called Jingle Bash.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WBBM
• Radio-Locator information on WBBM
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WBBM

Coordinates: 41°52′44″N 87°38′10″W / 41.879°N 87.636°W / 41.879; -87.636

Jeffrey J. Andrews (born January 27, 1959) is an American former professional baseball player and current coach. He was the pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008, having been fired after one season at the position.^[1] Andrews spent each of the last 22 years as a minor league pitching coach/coordinator, the last five in the Pittsburgh organization. On May 20, 2009 he was hired by the Frisco Roughriders (AA), replacing Joe Slusarski, marking his return to the Texas Rangers organization.

Early life[link]

Andrews is a 1977 graduate of Rapid City, South Dakota Stevens High School, where he played football and basketball. He played American Legion baseball since his high school team did not have a baseball program. He was also a pitcher on the Ohio Valley Conference Championship team as a freshman at East Tennessee State University in 1978. he led that squad to a Southern Conference title and into NCAA Regional playoffs as a junior in 1980.^[2]

Playing career[link]

A right-handed pitcher during his playing days, Andrews was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 26th round of the 1981 draft. He pitched two years in the Cubs farm system, compiling a 10-6 record with Geneva (1981) and Salinas (1982).

Coaching career[link]

Andrews began his professional coaching career as a minor league instructor in the Texas Rangers organization in 1986. A year later he was pitching coach with Port Charlotte (A), a club that featured right-hander Kevin Brown and lefty Kenny Rogers. He also spent the next four years in the Texas farm system as pitching coach with the AA Tulsa Drillers (1988–90) and the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks (1991).

Jeff spent six years in the Seattle Mariners organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Jacksonville Suns (1992–94) and the AAA Tacoma Rainiers (1995–97). In that time, he worked with future major leaguers such as Derek Lowe and Mike Hampton. Following his tenure in the Mariners minor league system, Andrews spent two seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator for the San Diego Padres.

Prior to joining the Pirates, Andrews spent the 2002 season as Pitching Coach with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent Northern League. He also spent two seasons in the Florida Marlins organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Portland Sea Dogs in 2001 and in the same capacity with the Kane County Cougars in 2000.

His first position with the Pirates was as the pitching coach with Double-A Altoona for three seasons (2003–05). His 2003 pitching staff at Altoona established a franchise record by posting a 3.32 ERA and lefty Sean Burnett was named Eastern League Pitcher-of-the-Year under his watch during the same season. Jeff also served as a coach at the Major League Baseball Futures Game in Chicago during the All-Star festivities in 2003.

He next served as pitching coach with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in 2006-07. The 2006 pitching staff at Indy ranked fourth in ERA in the 14-team International League. Among the 23 pitchers on the 40-man roster heading into spring training this season, Jeff had worked with 13 of them with either Altoona or Indy.

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference (Minors)

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Todd Alan Clem^[1] (born April 21, 1966) better known by his Legal name Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. He is the host of The Bubba the Love Sponge Show on one Cox Radio and one Beasley Broadcast Group station, as well as on RadioIO.^[2]

Early career and the FCC[link]

Bubba, a native of Warsaw, Indiana, began his radio career on Indiana State University's WISU-FM. Following school, one of his first paying gigs was at WGRD in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he worked evenings. The ever controversial Bubba was in trouble with WGRD almost from the start due to the sexual content of his show. Bubba also took shots against crosstown competitor WKLQ, in particular Danny Douglas who worked at WKLQ during the evening. Bubba went after Danny by calling him a homosexual on the air, at one point even claiming that Danny had AIDS. After Roger's Department Store canceled their account with WGRD, management at the station met with Bubba and explicitly told him what he couldn't say on the air. Bubba also apologized to Danny, but less than a week later Bubba began to disparage Danny on the air again. On December 20, 1988, a 13-year-old-girl listening to the show called Bubba to defend Danny. Bubba made sexual references to Danny and to the 13-year-old female caller. He was fired the next day.^[3][4] Bubba also enjoyed a short stay at Hot 102/WLUM-FM in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The hog incident[link]

On February 27, 2001, while on WXTB 97.9 (98 Rock) out of Tampa, Florida, Bubba the Love Sponge was struck with controversy once again for the on-air slaughtering of a wild Florida boar hog. Bubba encouraged listeners that morning to bring roadkill to the parking lot barbecue outside the radio station where the events unfolded. The wild hog used during the segment was captured by a professional hunter. The same hunter was the individual who killed and prepared the hog for the barbecue. Sounds of the hog covered the airwaves in a way that made the listener perceive the hog was being harassed and aggravated. After further review, the stunt revealed that Bubba had piped in sounds of a wild boar "rutting" up the ground in place for the sound of the actual boar being slaughtered. Bubba the Love Sponge and Executive Producer Brent Hatley were both detained by authorities and were both placed on trial for animal cruelty charges. The trial made national attention outside of Florida appearing on such networks as Court TV (now Tru TV). Several months later in May 2001, the duo were cleared of any charges. Today, Bubba agrees that the segment was distasteful but continues to state today that nothing criminal pursued from his actions that February morning. Bubba has stated he will never attempt a stunt like this again.

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (a precursor to a fine) of $755,000 against four stations owned by Clear Channel Communications (including its parent station, WXTB) on January 27, 2004 for objectionable segments of "Bubba the Love Sponge" aired on its stations in five Florida cities: Callahan, Clearwater, Port Charlotte, West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville. The fine consisted of the maximum of $27,500 for each of 26 airings of a segment plus $40,000 for record-keeping violations. The segments included graphic discussions about sex and drugs and according to the FCC were "designed to pander to, titillate and shock listeners". One segment featured the cartoon characters Alvin the Chipmunks, George Jetson and Scooby-Doo discussing sexual activities.^[5]

Clear Channel Communications discontinued Bubba's show on February 23, 2004 and two days later, Clear Channel CEO John Hogan testified in front of Congress, stating that the "Bubba the Love Sponge" show would no longer be broadcast on Clear Channel.

Currently, Bubba can be heard on one station owned by Cox Radio and one by Beasley Broadcast Group.

Recent activities[link]

On January 3, 2010, Bubba announced via his Twitter account that he had signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a backstage interviewer.^[6][7] He made his debut the following day on the special live, three-hour, Monday night edition of TNA Impact!, participating in four short backstage segments.^[8]

On January 16, 2010, Bubba made remarks on his Twitter account that were disparaging of Haiti's struggle to recover from the January 12 earthquake. Although he later apologized, his tweets created a rift between himself and TNA management, and for a while he was not used by the company on their television broadcast.^[9]

On January 19, 2010, Bubba claimed that he had been blind-sided and physically assaulted by Awesome Kong while backstage for the tapings of TNA Impact! the previous day, claims substantiated on his program by TNA's Hulk Hogan^{[citation needed]}. According to all three, the altercation was a result of the Twitter comments made by Bubba the Love Sponge concerning the Haiti relief project. ^[10][11] On February 25, Bubba announced that he was done with TNA Wrestling.^{[citation needed]} That same day, news broke that Awesome Kong, real name Kia Stevens, had filed a lawsuit against Clem for an alleged threatening phone call.^[12] Bubba later joined in on the Cowhead radio show confronting Stevens, allegedly using racially charged comments.^[13]

He returned to TNA television as The Band's personal interviewer in late March,^[14] only to be fired from the company on April 30, 2010 stemming from the Cowhead Show incident.^[15]

On December 22, 2010 Bubba officially left his spot as a radio show host on the Sirius/XM Satellite radio service.^[16]

On January 3, 2011 Bubba announced he will be the first major radio announcer to have an internet show (though not true). The show will be on the site radioio.com and feature several programming features throughout the day starting on January 10, 2011.^[17]

Currently, Bubba promotes his own charity, The Bubba the Love Sponge Foundation, Inc., which raises money for various Florida situations, including "Bikes for Badges", which honors the fallen officers of the region's various law enforcement departments.

In February 2011, Bubba began an irregular editorial segment, Bring It on Bubba, for WTSP's 10 News at 11.^[18]

On August 15, 2011 WHTQ in Orlando (now WDBO-FM) and WFYV-FM in Jacksonville dropped Bubba the Love Sponge from their morning lineup—in WHTQ's case, it was due to a format change in which the station began a simulcast with WDBO.

On January 4, 2012, Bubba announced that Cox radio had extended his contract with WHPT for three more years, with an option for 2015. Also on that date, it was announced that the program will be carried on W232CA 94.3 FM and WGPR-HD3 in Detroit, Michigan, beginning January 11, 2012;^[19] however, on January 31, 2012 programmer Martz Communications Group ceased operations of WGPR's HD Radio feeds, due to financial and signal difficulties.^[20]

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Standing splash^[21]
• Signature moves
  • Body slam^[21]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site

Terry Fox
Terry Fox in Toronto during his Marathon of Hope cross-country run (July 1980)
Born	Terrance Stanley Fox (1958-07-28)July 28, 1958 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died	June 28, 1981(1981-06-28) (aged 22) New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Cause of death	Metastatic osteosarcoma
Education	Simon Fraser University
Known for	Marathon of Hope
Title	Companion of the Order of Canada

Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox CC OD, (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981) was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$500 million has been raised in his name.

Fox was a distance runner and basketball player for his Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, high school and Simon Fraser University. His right leg was amputated in 1977 after he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, though he continued to run using an artificial leg. He also played wheelchair basketball in Vancouver, winning three national championships.

In 1980, he began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. Fox hoped to raise one dollar for each of Canada's 24 million people. He began with little fanfare from St. John's, Newfoundland, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. Fox had become a national star by the time he reached Ontario; he made numerous public appearances with businessmen, athletes, and politicians in his efforts to raise money. He was forced to end his run outside of Thunder Bay when the cancer spread to his lungs. His hopes of overcoming the disease and completing his marathon ended when he died nine months later.

Fox was the youngest person ever named a Companion of the Order of Canada. He won the 1980 Lou Marsh Award as the nation's top sportsman and was named Canada's Newsmaker of the Year in both 1980 and 1981. Considered a national hero, he has had many buildings, roads and parks named in his honour across the country.

Early life and cancer[link]

Terry Fox was born on July 28, 1958, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Rolland "Rolly" Fox and Betty Fox. Rolly was a switchman for the Canadian National Railway.^[1] Terry had an elder brother, Fred, a younger brother, Darrell and a younger sister, Judith.^[2] His family moved to Surrey, British Columbia, in 1966, then settled in Port Coquitlam in 1968.^[2] His parents were dedicated to their family, and his mother was especially protective of her children; it was through her that Fox developed his stubborn dedication to whatever task he committed to do.^[3] His father recalled that he was extremely competitive, noting that Terry hated to lose so much that he would continue at any activity until he succeeded.^[4]

He was an enthusiastic athlete, playing soccer, rugby and baseball as a child.^[5] His passion was for basketball and though he stood only five feet tall and was a poor player at the time, Fox sought to make his school team in grade eight. His physical education teacher and basketball coach at Mary Hill Junior High School felt he was better suited to be a distance runner and encouraged him to take up the sport. Fox had no desire for cross-country running, but took it up because he respected and wanted to please his coach.^[6] He was determined to continue playing basketball, even if he was the last substitute on the team. Fox played only one minute in his grade eight season but dedicated his summers to improving his play. He became a regular player in grade nine and earned a starting position in grade ten.^[7] In grade 12, he won his high school's athlete of the year award jointly with his best friend Doug Alward.^[2]

Though he was initially unsure if he wanted to go to university, Fox's mother convinced him to enrol at Simon Fraser University, where he studied kinesiology as a stepping stone to becoming a physical education teacher.^[8] He tried out for the junior varsity basketball team, earning a spot ahead of more talented players due to his determination.^[2]

On November 12, 1976, as Fox was driving home to Port Coquitlam, he became distracted by nearby bridge construction, and crashed into the back of a pickup truck. While his car was left undriveable, Fox emerged with only a sore right knee. He again felt pain in December, but chose to ignore it until the end of basketball season.^[9] By March 1977, the pain had intensified and he finally went to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of cancer that often starts near the knees.^[2] Fox believed his car accident weakened his knee and left it vulnerable to the disease, though his doctors argued there was no connection.^[10] He was told that his leg had to be amputated, he would require chemotherapy treatment, and that recent medical advances meant he had a 50 percent chance of survival. Fox learned that two years before the figure would have been only 15 percent; the improvement in survival rates impressed on him the value of cancer research.^[11]

With the help of an artificial leg, Fox was walking three weeks after the amputation.^[2] He then progressed to playing golf with his father.^[12] Doctors were impressed with Fox's positive outlook, stating it contributed to his rapid recovery.^[13] He endured sixteen months of chemotherapy and found the time he spent in the British Columbia Cancer Control Agency facility difficult as he watched fellow cancer patients suffer and die from the disease.^[14] Fox ended his treatment with new purpose: he felt he owed his survival to medical advances and wished to live his life in a way that would help others find courage.^[15]

In the summer of 1977 Rick Hansen, working with the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, invited Fox to try out for his wheelchair basketball team.^[16] Although he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the time, Fox's energy impressed Hansen.^[2] Less than two months after learning how to play the sport, Fox was named a member of the team for the national championship in Edmonton.^[17] He won three national titles with the team,^[2] and was named an all-star by the North American Wheelchair Basketball Association in 1980.^[18]

Marathon of Hope[link]

Terry Fox statue in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia

The night before his cancer surgery, Fox had been given an article about Dick Traum, the first amputee to complete the New York City Marathon.^[2] The article inspired him; he embarked on a 14-month training program, telling his family he planned to compete in a marathon himself.^[1] In private, he devised a more extensive plan. His hospital experiences had made Fox angry at how little money was dedicated to cancer research. He intended to run the length of Canada in the hope of increasing cancer awareness, a goal he initially only divulged to his friend Douglas Alward.^[19]

Fox ran with an unusual gait, as he was required to hop-step on his good leg due to the extra time the springs in his artificial leg required to reset after each step.^[20] He found the training painful as the additional pressure he had to place on both his good leg and his stump led to bone bruises, blisters and intense pain. Fox found that after about 20 minutes of each run, he crossed a pain threshold and the run became easier.^[21]

In August 1979, Fox competed in a marathon in Prince George, British Columbia. He finished in last place, ten minutes behind his closest competitor, but his effort was met with tears and applause from the other participants.^[2] Following the marathon, he revealed his full plan to his family.^[22] His mother discouraged him, angering Fox, though she later came to support the project. She recalled, "He said, 'I thought you'd be one of the first persons to believe in me.' And I wasn't. I was the first person who let him down".^[23] Fox initially hoped to raise $1 million,^[23] then $10 million, but later sought to raise $1 for each of Canada's 24 million people.^[24]

Preparation[link]

On October 15, 1979, Fox sent a letter to the Canadian Cancer Society in which he announced his goal and appealed for funding. He stated that he would "conquer" his disability, and promised to complete his run, even if he had to "crawl every last mile". Explaining why he wanted to raise money for research, Fox described his personal experience of cancer treatment:

I soon realized that that would only be half my quest, for as I went through the 16 months of the physically and emotionally draining ordeal of chemotherapy, I was rudely awakened by the feelings that surrounded and coursed through the cancer clinic. There were faces with the brave smiles, and the ones who had given up smiling. There were feelings of hopeful denial, and the feelings of despair. My quest would not be a selfish one. I could not leave knowing these faces and feelings would still exist, even though I would be set free from mine. Somewhere the hurting must stop....and I was determined to take myself to the limit for this cause.^[25]

Fox made no promises that his efforts would lead to a cure for cancer, but he closed his letter with the statement: "We need your help. The people in cancer clinics all over the world need people who believe in miracles. I am not a dreamer, and I am not saying that this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer. I believe in miracles. I have to."^[25] The Cancer Society was skeptical of his dedication, but agreed to support Fox once he had acquired sponsors and requested he get a medical certificate from a heart specialist stating that he was fit to attempt the run. Fox was diagnosed with left ventricular hypertrophy — an enlarged heart — a condition commonly associated with athletes. Doctors warned Fox of the potential risks he faced, though they did not consider his condition a significant concern. They endorsed his participation when he promised that he would stop immediately if he began to experience any heart problems.^[26]

A second letter was sent to several corporations seeking donations for a vehicle, running shoes and to cover the other costs of the run.^[27] Fox sent other letters asking for grants to buy a running leg. He observed that while he was grateful to be alive following his cancer treatment, "I remember promising myself that, should I live, I would rise up to meet this new challenge [of fundraising for cancer research] face to face and prove myself worthy of life, something too many people take for granted."^[27] The Ford Motor Company donated a camper van,^[3] while Imperial Oil contributed fuel, and Adidas his running shoes.^[28] Fox turned away any company that requested he endorse their products and refused any donation that carried conditions as he insisted that nobody was to profit from his run.^[3]

Trek across Canada[link]

Fox's path across eastern Canada. He began at St. John's on the east coast and ran west.

The Marathon began on April 12, 1980, when Fox dipped his right leg in the Atlantic Ocean near St. John's, Newfoundland, and filled two large bottles with ocean water. He intended to keep one as a souvenir and pour the other into the Pacific Ocean upon completing his journey at Victoria, British Columbia.^[24] Fox was supported on his run by Doug Alward, who drove the van and cooked meals.^[28]

Fox was met with gale force winds, heavy rain and a snowstorm in the first days of his run.^[1] He was initially disappointed with the reception he received, but was heartened upon arriving in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, where the town's 10,000 residents presented him with a donation of over $10,000.^[28] Throughout the trip, Fox frequently expressed his anger and frustration to those he saw as impeding the run, and he fought regularly with Alward. By the time they reached Nova Scotia, they were barely on speaking terms, and it was arranged for Fox's brother Darrell, then 17, to join them as a buffer.^[23] Fox left the Maritimes on June 10 and faced new challenges entering Quebec due to his group's inability to speak French^[29] and drivers who continually forced him off the road.^[30] Fox arrived in Montreal on June 22, one-third of the way through his 8,000-kilometre (5,000 mi) journey, having collected over $200,000 in donations.^[20] Around this time, Terry Fox's run caught the attention of Isadore Sharp who was the founder and CEO of Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts—and who had lost a son to melanoma in 1978 just a year after Terry's diagnosis.^[31] Sharp was intrigued by the story of a one-legged kid "trying to do the impossible" and run across the country; so he offered food and accommodation at his hotels en route. When Terry was discouraged because so few people were making donations, Sharp pledged $2 a mile [to the run] and persuaded close to 1,000 other corporations to do the same.^[32] Sharp's encouragement persuaded Terry to continue with the Marathon of Hope. Convinced by the Canadian Cancer Society that arriving in Ottawa for Canada Day would aid fundraising efforts, he remained in Montreal for a few extra days.^[30]

Memorial at Mile 0 in St. John's

Fox crossed into Ontario at the town of Hawkesbury on the last Saturday in June. He was met by a brass band and thousands of residents who lined the streets to cheer him on, while the Ontario Provincial Police gave him an escort throughout the province.^[33] Despite the sweltering heat of summer, he continued to run 26 miles (42 km) per day.^[29] On his arrival in Ottawa, Fox met Governor General Ed Schreyer and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and was the guest of honour at numerous sporting events in the city.^[33] In front of 16,000 fans, he performed a ceremonial kickoff at a Canadian Football League game and was given a standing ovation. Fox's journal reflected his growing excitement at the reception he had received as he began to understand how deeply moved Canadians were by his efforts.^[34]