Terry Fox Run

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The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held in numerous regions around the world in commemoration of 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 contacted Terry in hospital by telegram and expressed his wishes to hold an annual run in Terry's name to raise funds for cancer research. Sharp himself had lost his son to cancer in 1979. The event is held every year on the second Sunday following Labour Day. Since its inception, it has raised via the 'Terry Fox Foundation' over $750 million (CAD). The run itself is informal which means that the distance often varies, usually between 5 and 15 kilometres; participation is considered to be more important than completing the set distance. There are also runs set up by schools of every level, often with shorter distances than the "official" ones.

Unlike other major fund raising events, the Terry Fox Run has no corporate sponsorship. This is in accordance with Terry Fox's original wishes of not seeking fame or fortune from his endeavour. During his cross-Canada run, he turned down every endorsement he was offered (including from major multinationals such as McDonald's), as he felt that it would detract from his goal of creating public awareness. The Terry Fox Runs have no advertisements on any race related materials (such as T-shirts, banners, etc.).

Video Terry Fox Run

History

The Terry Fox Foundation was founded in 1988 after it separated from the Canadian Cancer Society. Since its inception, The Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $750 million for cancer research. Currently, Terry Fox Runs take place every year with many participants from all over the world. The Run is a volunteer led, all-inclusive, non-competitive event with no corporate sponsorship, incentives or fundraising minimums. Terry laid out these wishes before his death in 1981.

In 2007 The Terry Fox Foundation created the Terry Fox Research Institute to conduct translational research to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients. In the last fiscal year (ending March 31, 2013), The Terry Fox Foundation directed $27.7 million to its cancer research programs.

The Terry Fox Foundation has expanded beyond the traditional Run as well, by holding various other events. These events include National School Run Day, where schools across hold a Run to commemorate Terry and raise funds, and The Great Canadian Hair "Do," which is a fundraising event that can take place at any time of the year. Participants are able to make the event as creative as they want-- shave their heads, dye their hair a wacky colour, include a manly leg wax, and recruit friends to shave their heads as well.

Maps Terry Fox Run

International runs

North America

• Canada - First run: September 13, 1981 at 760 run sites across Canada
• Cuba - First run: 1998. 2005 at over 3,600 run sites across the country, totalling 1.9 million Cubans. 2006 reached highest level of approximately 2.6 million participants. 17 March 2007 10th Anniversary run at 4652 sites, totalling 2.267 million participants.
• United States

South America

• Venezuela - started in 1998 at the Colegio Internactional de Caracas

Europe

• Belgium
• Bulgaria - started in 2013 at the Anglo-American School of Sofia
• Croatia (first run in 2000)
• Czech Republic
• Hungary - held from 1999 to 2005
• Ireland
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Poland - First run: 2006
• Portugal - First run: 1994
• Romania
• Turkey
• United Kingdom

Middle East

• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Oman - First Run: 2008
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria - First Run: 1991, Most Recent Run: 2010 (Stopped because of Syrian Civil War which started in early 2011)
• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar

Asia Pacific

• Australia - First run: September 1988 in Brisbane (legacy from Expo '88) raising $22 000 (AUD)
• Bangladesh
• China - First run: 1998
• India
• Hong Kong - First run: 2013
• Japan
• Korea
• Malaysia - First run: early 1990s in Kuala Lumpur
• Pakistan
• Philippines - First run: 2001 in Cebu City
• Singapore
• Taiwan - First run: 2001 in Taipei City
• Thailand - First run: 1995 in Bangkok
• Vietnam - First run: 1996 in Ho Chi Minh City and run annually until 2014. In 2014, the Terry Fox Run in Ho Chi Minh City had an estimated 16,500 participants and the organization committee includes the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.

Africa

• Kenya
• South Africa
• Zimbabwe

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See also

• Pan-Mass Challenge, the largest charity athletic event in the USA to fund cancer research
• Relay for Life
• The Ride to Conquer Cancer

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References

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External links

• Official site
• Terry Fox Run in Cuba Photos

Source of article : Wikipedia