Dana Fox’s legacy rides on as family and friends continue cancer fundraising efforts

After his death in the fall, the legacy of Waterloo cyclist and cancer advocate Dana Fox continues to inspire family, friends and fellow riders.

Fox became well known in the community for refusing to let a Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis define him. Despite living with the rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, he continued pursuing ambitious athletic goals, including completing the Ride to Conquer Cancer and qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

“I think the people it amazed the least was his family because we were so used to his energy level,” said his son, Jordan Fox. “We always thought, ‘This is Dana at half speed. You should see him at full speed.’”

Even though Dana Fox is not physically here, his family said the work he started is far from over.

“As soon as my dad was diagnosed, the question he asked himself was, ‘What do I do with this?’” Jordan Fox said. “And what he decided to do with it was to help build something to help other people.”

This year’s Ride to Conquer Cancer marked the first time Jordan completed the event without his father riding alongside him. Still, Dana’s presence was felt throughout the journey.

“My sister did the ride with us this year for the first time, and she built a makeshift trailer and pulled my dad’s bike and helmet,” Jordan said.

Heavy rain created difficult conditions during portions of the ride, but members of Team Dana said they remained motivated by the example Fox set during his cancer journey.

One of the symbols associated with Fox was a pair of red track spikes that he wore to chemotherapy appointments, treating each treatment like another race to be run.

In a 2024 interview with CTV News, Fox explained the significance of the shoes.

“My dad bought these for me in 1971,” he said, through tears. “I said I’m going to a track workout and I need to bring some people with me. So I brought my dad with me.”

Today, Jordan said he carries his father’s spirit with him in much the same way.

That dedication is resonating with others as well. Team Dana has grown from six riders in its first Ride to Conquer Cancer to 38 cyclists this year. The team has raised approximately $140,000 so far from this month’s event.

For Jordan, the growth is exactly what his father would have wanted.

“He’d say, ‘What’s next? How can we make next year bigger?’”

While Dana Fox is no longer riding alongside the team, those closest to him say the hope and determination he championed remain firmly in motion.