Dubai Terry Fox Run to be held on Feb 15

Laila Suhail, DSF Chief Executive Officer said, "DSF considers the Terry Fox Run as one of the most important yearly events that the festival supports as it reflects the main values that DSF tries to promote. The run brings together thousands of participants of diverse nationalities, religion, and age under one umbrella for a common charity cause that aims at enhancing cancer research in the UAE."

The International Organising Committee for the Terry Fox Foundation has revealed that the 2007 Annual Dubai Terry Fox Run was the second biggest in the world by participation, and the third biggest in terms of revenue generated for charity.

Toronto-based Breeda McClew, International Director for the Terry Fox Foundation, reports that last year 39 countries outside Canada and almost three million people participated at over four thousand Run sites and raised over three million Canadian dollars for cancer research.

"The 2007 Dubai Terry Fox Run drew an estimated 10,500 participants, just a few hundred behind Bogata, Columbia which was the single biggest run site with 10,848 participants," she said. "More importantly, the Dubai run raised over $158,000 for cancer research, just behind Kuwait and Beijing, which was the biggest revenue generator at just over $245,000."

"By providing our full support to the Terry Fox Run, we aim to highlight the social role of DSF which is as important as the economic one. Promoting humanitarian values is an integral part of DSF's social responsibility emphasized by the everlasting global theme of 'One World. One Family. One Festival'. We urge all families and individuals, willing to make a difference, to participate in this charitable event," she said.

Dubai Terry Fox Run, Chairperson, Judy Rickatson said that year-on-year the Dubai Terry Fox Run has grown in popularity and in terms of the money raised.

"We have every intention of making the 2008 run even bigger and even more successful," she said.

McClew meanwhile added that it is truly awe inspiring to think that 26 years has passed since Terry Fox undertook his personal odyssey to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients.

"Since then over $400m has been raised globally, in his memory, for cancer research. What a glorious tribute to a young man who knew that cancer has no boundaries. Terry Fox is one of a handful of people to unite the world in love, admiration and for a common purpose. By redoubling our efforts we honour his memory and the worldwide admiration he garnered in the quest for a cure for cancers."

In the 14 years of the Dubai Terry Fox run more than six million dirhams has been raised.

"This fantastic figure has been made possible due to the extreme generousity of thousands of very bighearted and unselfish individuals and organisations in the UAE," says Rickatson. ""It is a lesser-known fact that everything to do with the Dubai Terry Fox Run, is donated, ensuring that every dirham raised goes to cancer research in the UAE," she adds.