On the occasion of the Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run’s (TFR) 15th anniversary, Judith Fox-Adler, sister of the late Terry Fox, has flown into Abu Dhabi to attend the Run taking place on the Corniche this Friday February 19, which is being held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE. At a press conference held at the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Judith recognised Abu Dhabi city’s contribution to the internationally-held Run, and thanked local businesses and government departments for their support throughout the years.
Judith is in Abu Dhabi in a bid to recognize the dedicated efforts of all organisers, supporters and participants who take part in the Run year after year in the memory of her late brother, Terry. Since her arrival on February 15, Judith has reached out to the local community, making presentations at several of the city’s main schools and fitness institutions. She talked about Terry’s story to spread the message of hope, selflessness and perseverance, as well as to promote the sense of giving back to the community for this humanitarian cause.
“I am delighted to be here to express my gratitude to the people of Abu Dhabi for all that they’ve done in tribute of my brother. I’m really looking forward to Friday’s Run and to finally meet all of our supporters,” Judith commented.
Terry Fox was an amputee and at the tender age of 21 years, attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. The Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run began in 1995, and has since been organised for the last 15 consecutive years. Like every year, its proceeds go to fund innovative cancer research in the UAE.
Committee members Farid Dabaghi, Chairperson, and Anne Marie Abraham, Treasurer, in the presence of Judith Fox, presented Dr. Charles Leduc, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAE University in Al Ain, with an AED400,000 cheque. The money will be divided into cancer research project grants to be attributed to pioneering individual research projects prepared by UAE research teams, and conducted inside the research teams’ own institutions and facilities.
Over 160 volunteers from the Emirates Foundation’s ‘Takatof’, the philanthropic ‘Volunteer in Abu Dhabi’ group and other individuals have been playing a pivotal role in the events leading up to the Run, and are also expected to lend a helping hand on the Run day itself. The Run will kick off from 30th Street (Khaleej al Arabi) on the Corniche to the car park near the Corniche Hospital, and back. People can walk, run, roller-blade or skateboard, and the course is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but cycling will not be permitted due to safety precautions. Registration begins at 8am and the Run itself will start at 10am.
The Abu Dhabi Run has contributed over AED5 million in funds, with more than AED4 million of it going to fund local research with further projects under consideration. In the 13th Run, Abu Dhabi ranked the 2nd highest when it came to raising funds internationally, and the UAE’s combined Runs put it 1st out of the 29 participating countries in terms of revenues raised, and 2nd in terms of overall number of participants!
For up to date information, supporters can now join the facebook Group and follow TFR on twitter: “TFRinAbuDhabi”.
