by Melvyn Rodrigues for Daijiworld News Network
January 27, 2006: Thousands of people participated in the Dubai Terry Fox Run held on the 27th January Which took off at 10:00 am in the morning near wonderland, Garhoud Bridge.
This is the 25th Year of Terry Fox Run, Which is being run in several countries of the world. All the proceeds from this run, go for Cancer Research in memory of Terry Fox who died of Cancer many years before in Canada.
Thousands of people walked, ran, jogged, cycled, roller-bladed and wheeled along the course and all this for a noble cause.
A natural athlete, Terry's studies in kinesiology were interrupted by his diagnosis with osteogenic sarcoma - a form of bone cancer - as a result of which his right leg was amputated six inches above the right knee.
During his recovery he resolved to undertake a cross-Canada run to raise awareness of the suffering caused by cancer. On April 12th, 1980 Terry Fox dipped his artificial foot into the Atlantic Ocean as he began his "Marathon of Hope". Then, on September 1st, 1980, Terry's relentless pace was cut short by the progression of cancer to his lungs.
He died on June 28th, 1981, one month before his 23rd birthday. Terry's dream of collecting $1 from every Canadian was realized; the Marathon of Hope raised $24.17 million for cancer research. Today, his heroic perseverance is memorated through numerous awards, research grants, and an annual fund-raising run held in 60 countries in his name.
More than Dhs. 500,000 in donations was raised for cancer research in the UAE at last year's event. The last Terry Fox Run held in Dubai attracted a record 12,000 individuals.
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