Sam Fox – A Grueling Challenge for a Great Cause
In many ways, Sam Fox is a typical 24-year-old man – he is a talented athlete, loves the outdoors, and enjoys eating pizza and hanging out with his friends. But in one very special way, Sam is anything but typical. You see, Sam has taken on an incredible challenge for a cause that is very close to his heart – his mother and the disease she is battling, Parkinson’s.
It was October 2010 when Sam came up with what he called his “crazy plan” – he decided he would run the 2,400 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, from Canada all the way to Southern California, in just two months! It would be a brutal test of pain, endurance, and the limits of his physical ability. But he hoped that by taking it on he could raise awareness and money for the disease that his mother fought every day of her life. Sam completed his run in the fall of 2011, and the results have been amazing – he has raised nearly $200,000 to help fight Parkinson’s Disease!
In this video, Sam tells about his tremendous undertaking and his inspiration for doing it.
Additional Resources:
- Here is an article that tells more about Sam and his amazing run.
- Here is an interview with Sam about his incredible experience.
Topics for Discussion:
- What qualities must Sam have in order to have endured such a grueling run?
- Do you know anyone who has Parkinson’s Disease? How does it affect his or her life?
Take Action:
- Visit Sam’s website, Run While You Can, to learn more about his incredible adventure and how you can help support his cause!
- Visit the National Parkinson Foundation website to learn more about Parkinson’s Disease and how you can help people who suffer from this condition.
Teacher Features:
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.
