Terry-Fox-Run

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 a 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' close to $500 million dollars (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.). 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 $600 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, 2011), The Terry Fox Foundation directed $30 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. The Great Canadian Hair "Do". The Great Canadian Hair “Do” 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 color, include a manly leg wax, and recruit friends to shave their heads as well. The Terry Fox Foundation is an industry leader in donating 84-cents-per-dollar raised directly to cancer research Terry Fox Run Chennai The first ever Terry Fox run in Chennai was conducted on the YMCA College of Physical Education campus on the 30th of August, 2009. 1,300 people participated in the run and Rs 3 lakhs were raised for cancer research during the run. The whole campaign generated Rs 15 lakhs. A team of 50 student volunteers from IIT Madras organized the entire run which was an initiative of Akash Dube. Akash was only 16 years old in when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Instead of languishing in sorrow and grief, he together with the support of his family decided to organize the Terry Fox Run in Chennai, and has continued to do so ever since. 2012 marked the fourth annual run in Chennai and is getting bigger every time.