Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run makes history by raising Dh235,000

Abu Dhabi: As Dubai residents prepare for the annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, the Abu Dhabi run held last week included more than 10,000 participants and raised Dh235,000, which is a 70 per cent increase from last year's run.

The annual event, which is the world's largest campaign for cancer research and awareness, took place last Friday in the capital. The proceeds of the run will go to cancer research in the UAE.

In 2007, the Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run Committee raised Dh73,000 on the day of the event. The 70 per cent increase of this year's run makes it the most successful run in the 13-year history. Organisers haven't stopped counting this year's donations, as they are expecting more money will be donated to the cause.

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete who was diagnosed with cancer when he was 18 and decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and funds for cancer in 1981.

His efforts have lived on through the annual Marathon of Hope, which is run in more than 40 countries across the world.