Terry Fox Run 2009 @ Chennai

Terry Fox Run was recently organised in Chennai, India on 30th August, 2009. This was the first Terry Fox run in Chennai and from now on it would be held every year in Chennai. The event was organised at the YMCA ground with the help of volunteers from IIT Chennai. Though the run was open for all, mostly people were from IIT, TCS, CTS and Canadian embassy. Anu Hassan flagged the event. The money raised would be donated to the TATA Memorial Centre for fundamental research into cancer. The idea behind the event is Akash Dube, a 17-year-old student diagnosed with cancer six months ago.

Terry Fox Run
Terry Fox Run (1981- ) is an annual volunteer-led, non-competitive event held around the world to commemorate the Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox, and his Marathon of Hope, and to raise money for cancer research. The event was founded in 1981 by Isadore Sharp, who wanted to hold an annual run in Terry’s name to raise money for cancer research. In Canada it is held every year on the 2nd Sunday following Labour Day (May 1). Outside Canada, the run is organised on any day that is convenient for the organizers.
Unlike other fund raiser event across the globe, Terry Fox Run has no corporate sponsorship. This was in accordance with Terry’s wishes of not seeking any fame for his endeavour. Here organizers have no budget for expenses but have unlimited appreciation for attendees. In 2002, there were 620 events were held in 53 countries.
The Run is the single largest single-day cancer fundraiser in the world.

Marathon of Hope
Marathon of Hope refers to the cross-Canada run undertaken by Terry Fox in 1980. It is commemorated each year by Terry Fox Run across the world. The main purpose of Terry’s run was to raise money for cancer research and to increase cancer awareness. The run started from St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12th to Victoria, BC along the Trans-Canada highway - a distance of 8000km. Unfortunately Terry had to stop the run on September 1, 1980, due to his bad health. While in hospital he got a telegram from Isadore Sharp (who had recently lost his own son to cancer) telling him that his Marathon of Hope would be continued in his honour with an annual run, and that they would not stop until Terry's dream of beating cancer was realized.
A bronze statue of Terry Fox in motion is located in a memorial park along the Trans-Canada Highway – the spot where he had to end his run.
Terry died on June 28, 1981, due to bone cancer. Though he could not complete his Marathon of Hope, he said - "Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going without me."