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18,000 take part in 18th Terry Fox Run

Despite two thousand more people getting involved with an annual cancer fundraising run, the money raised was almost half of the previous year.

Friday’s 18^th annual Terry Fox Run, named after the inspiring 21-year-old cancer sufferer and amputee who ran across Canada to raise research money, attracted 18,000 participants in the 8km run, but only raised Dh337,533 this year, compared with last year’s Dh600,000 raised by 16,000 participants.

Young participants enjoy the Terry Fox Run at Abu Dhabi Corniche on Friday.— KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

Fox’s sister Judith Fox was there for the event, from the Sheraton Hotel to Marina Mall, as she is now the Canadian Ambassador to the UAE.

Most participants said the day was an occasion to both have fun and contribute to a good humanitarian cause.

“I have been taking part in the annual Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run for the last three years with my friends. We are all having good fun on the Corniche, which is really lively...now,” said Karne, who was accompanied with five other friends, all from the Philippines.

Pakistani student Abiyah said she was delighted to be taking part with her four high school friends as they would all soon be going to different universities in the country and abroad.

“We have been planning for this day to get together, to meet up and contribute to a good cause. All of us have bought Terry Fox Run T-shirts that we wear for Dh30 each and also made donations for the cause. We are happy to be together here today before splitting up.”

Her friend Saaniya Kazi, from India, said the run was a great opportunity to be with close friends during a great cause.

Among the participants were over 45 corporate companies and 20 schools, with a team of 300 volunteers.

The run was also attended by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the grandson of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Khalifa bin Sultan. At the run, Shaikh Khalifa and the Terry Fox Run Abu Dhabi Committee presented Professor Frank Brianicki, Coordinator for Terry Fox Foundation Research Grants, with a cheque of Dh458,000.

This cheque acts as the second instalment of Dh2.3 million grants — the funds of which are a result of collaboration between the Terry Fox Run Abu Dhabi and its Al Ain, Dubai and the Northern Emirates counterparts.

Organisers said in a statement that the money raised would go towards funding seven cancer research projects in Al Ain over three years. This year, the number of countries holding Terry Fox Runs will be more than 30. The money is donated to research groups from each respective country. In the UAE alone, it has raised Dh15 million over the time it has been running.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com