February 21st, 2017: Judith Fox, younger sister of Terry Fox and International Director of the Terry Fox Foundation spoke about her brother’s hope for a cancer-free world, during a recent visit to Canadian University Dubai (CUD).
Addressing students, faculty and staff, Judith gave a personal account of the late Canadian’s inspirational story, beginning with his diagnosis with Osteosarcoma at just 18 years old through to his unprecedented ‘Marathon of Hope’ that motivated a global cancer research movement in his name – the Terry Fox run.
Revealing more about his commitment and single-mindedness, Judith discussed how, despite the amputation of his leg, Terry was determined to make an impact on the world and to help change the face of cancer forever.
She said, “Terry was inspired by the suffering of people around him who were struggling with the disease. He had heard about another amputee running the New York marathon and he believed in himself that he could do something similar. Most of all Terry wanted to show the ‘power of one’ – how just one person could make a global difference in the fight against cancer.”
Setting himself the remarkable challenge of running across Canada – the world’s second largest country – he embarked upon the Marathon of Hope with only his friend by his side. Running a marathon a day, he ultimately caught the attention of the nation.
Though he was unable to complete his journey and died at the age of 22, Judith said he remained committed to carry on what he started and to continue to raise funds for cancer research. With the support of his family and the business community, the Terry Fox run was established as an annual event fund-raising event.
“Terry set out to raise one dollar for every person in Canada, and by the time he died he had achieved that goal of $24million. The Terry Fox run has now raised $750million worldwide and funds national research, as well as international collaborations across the world. In Terry’s name we will carry on until we achieve his dream for a cancer-free world” Judith said.
Her visit to CUD coincided with the Dubai leg of the Terry Fox run held on February 18th. More than 70 representatives from the University joined over 4,000 other participants to run, walk, cycle, rollerblade or wheelchair around the five kilometer course on the creek side at Dubai Festival City. All the funds raised at the event are set to benefit recognized cancer research institutions in the UAE.
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