The Terry Fox Run is set to return to Dubai with thousands of people expected to take part in the cancer research event on Saturday.
Here, Judith Fox, Terry’s sister and International Director at The Terry Fox Foundation, speaks about the event, which will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of Emirates Group, to support cancer research projects in the UAE.
The event returns to the UAE after four years. Why did you decide to organise the run again in Dubai?
We have had very successful runs in Abu Dhabi and RAK during the absence of the Dubai event. It has always been the foundation’s wish to continue the Terry Fox Run in Dubai, and we are grateful to have a run organiser step up and champion the event.
How do you feel to be back? What do you expect from the Dubai run this year?
I’m thrilled to be back on behalf of my family and, of course, Terry. I anticipate that the event will be well attended by supporters of all ages. It is an opportunity for people to unite in a common bond, as was Terry’s request, to work together to outrun cancer.
What other awareness activities will you be doing here?
I will be speaking at a couple of schools and a university. I will also be going to Abu Dhabi to meet with the organisers there.
How do you think your brother would have reacted to the growing support towards the cause over the years?
It’s hard to speak for Terry, however, I know he would be filled with pride and gratitude towards all who have dedicated countless hours and donated funds towards cancer research.
Why has it been important for your family to continue the work that Terry began 35 years back?
Before Terry boarded a plane to return home to begin cancer treatment, he had said that if he could not get back out there, he did not want any single person to finish his run. He asked that we all unite, to work together to continue what he started until a cure is found. For me, it is an honour to be able to do this work. I am inspired on a daily basis by Terry’s story and the stories of so many others.
How do you want participants to approach and prepare for this run?
Terry wanted the Terry Fox Run to be an all-inclusive, fun event for people of all ages. The goal is to raise much-needed funds for cancer research, we hope people will do just that. We also hope participants will come out in support of, or to honour, a loved one who has or has had cancer. This is an opportunity to unite and work together towards a common goal.
Since it was established, how much has The Terry Fox Foundation raised to aid cancer research and what successes have you had towards that aim so far?
More than $750 million has been raised in Terry’s name throughout the world since his Marathon of Hope. There have been many successes in cancer research, including the cancer Terry had, osteogenic sarcoma. When Terry was diagnosed, he was given between 20 to 50 per cent chance of survival and lost his leg. Today, patients have a higher than 90 per cent survival rate and in most cases do not have to have a limb amputated. Terry was so selfless in the fact that it wasn’t just osteosarcoma, the cancer he had, that he wanted studied, but all cancers.
aahmed@thenational.ae
