Humbled.

The starting point of something much bigger.

St. John’s, NL – Standing toward the end of the port at the edge of downtown, I blame the rain for the wetness streaming down my face.

I am not being entirely honest.

Sure, the grey day spent walking to Memorial University has dissolved into warm showers, but arriving at mile zero of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope has hit me unexpectedly hard.

Is there a more heroic Canadian?

I have been very fortunate to not have been disproportionately affected by cancer, but I cannot help but reflect on legacy. And on the power of humanity – or of goodness – at a time in our history where empathy so often feels to be in short supply.

One person's will and actions can indeed change the world. Planning to run across the country, the 22-year-old Fox hoped to support cancer research by raising one dollar for each of Canada's 24 million inhabitants.

On an artificial leg.

Fox's journey was ultimately suspended outside Thunder Bay, ON when cancer reached his lungs – after running more than 5,300 kilometres through weather conditions of all kinds.

Today, his legacy is carried on through the annual Terry Fox Run, which has raised nearly a billion dollars for cancer research through events held around the world. Sometimes, we just need to take the first step.

A little rain is nothing; neither are tears.