Running a race to beat cancer

Akash Dube has been participating in the Terry Fox Run in Dubai since he was 11. The run commemorates young Canadian athlete Terry Fox who, despite losing his leg to bone cancer, ran across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. And true to the spirit of the event, Akash did not miss it even when he was diagnosed with cancer. Not only did he participate in a Terry Fox Run while undergoing chemotherapy but he also organised the event in Chennai, India. The 18-year-old is preparing for the second edition of the event to be held on August 22.

"Cancer made me feel scared and helpless but it also taught me some valuable lessons. The rigorous treatment protocol taught me the value of time and how best to use the good days that were few and far between. I learnt the importance of a positive attitude and how obstacles can be overcome with determination. I realised it was imperative to focus on my studies because it is only through knowledge that I can make a significant contribution. And it convinced me more than ever of the value of the Terry Fox Run because I know I owe my recovery from this disease to the efforts of researchers and doctors, besides all those who helped fund the research. Organising the run in one more city is my way of contributing to that," Akash says.

The diagnosis

It all started in January 2009. Akash was studying for his A levels and preparing to go to the US for higher studies. But one morning he woke up to find little red spots under his arm. He was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia (cancer of the white blood cells) and was immediately put on intensive chemotherapy at the Apollo Hospital, Chennai. His family rallied around him.

Confined to his hospital room, Akash kept in touch with his friends and teachers on the internet and even managed to keep up with his studies. But he knew he would miss the Terry Fox Run in Dubai that year. He wanted to do the run in Chennai instead but was disappointed to find that there was no Terry Fox Run there. Not one to give up easily, Akash decided to organise the event in the city.

"I had always enjoyed doing the run and sitting there in a depressing cancer ward, I needed to do something to fight the illness," he says.

He was also motivated by a desire to thank the strangers who had come forward to donate blood to him. "I needed regular transfusions but we did not know anybody in Chennai. My mother sent e-mails to various companies and to her alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, requesting for donors. The response was incredible. I felt organising the run would be a good way to give back to the wonderful people in Chennai," he says.

Support from loved ones

His parents stood by him. "We realised that it would give him something positive to focus on," his mother says.

They contacted the Terry Fox Foundation in Canada, which put him in touch with organisers of the event in other cities in India. Akash received great support from the Rotary Club, IIT Madras and many others. His treatment left him weak and tired. There were days when Akash could not do anything at all but he was actively involved in every aspect of the preparations.

He even visited some schools and addressed public forums telling people about his experience with cancer and why he wanted to organise the run. And he worked hard on building his stamina so he could participate in the event.

However, just two days before the event, there was a big setback. "We were forced to change the venue due to unavoidable circumstances and just had a few hours to inform everyone about the change. I was worried about how many people would show up," Akash says.

But he need not have worried. More than 3,000 people of all ages participated, including the Canadian consul, some of Akash's fellow patients and his doctor. Akash walked the entire route. His teachers and friends from Ibn Sina English High School, Sharjah, sent him a cheque. "The outpouring of warmth, goodwill and enthusiasm was overwhelming," he says. The event raised Rs1.6 million (Dh127,092) for the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, the only Indian cancer research centre approved by the Terry Fox Foundation. Akash was invited to visit the centre and he participated in the Mumbai Terry Fox Run, where he met Terry's sister Judith Fox.

Akash only needs milder treatment. Since he is not allowed vigorous outdoor activity, he has got his motorbike licence and enjoys riding along with his dad's Harley Davidson group. But one thing has not changed — his commitment to the Terry Fox Run in Chennai.

Preparing for the future

He is in Chennai, busy with preparations for the second edition. "We made a great start and we have to do better this year," he says. "This time I will be able to go to many more schools. But my priority is to set up a committee that can continue organising the event even when I am in the US," he adds.

Akash is also working with the Terry Fox Foundation to get approval for research projects at the IIT Madras Biotech department's cancer laboratory, so that the money raised from the Chennai Run can be used to fund research in the city. He is doing a two-month internship at the laboratory. "My experience with cancer has got me interested in research. But I also want to study business management because I want to raise funds for research on my own," he says.

 Who was Terry Fox?

Terry Fox, a young Canadian athlete, was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 18. During the course of the treatment, his right leg had to be amputated. Instead of letting this personal setback overtake his life, he resolved to raise funds for cancer research, doing what he did best, running. He set out on a marathon across Canada, from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast.

Over the course of 143 days, he managed to travel 5,373 kilometres and raise more than $9.7 million (Dh35 million) before the cancer spread to his lungs and he was forced to stop. But he continued to raise money from his hospital bed until he succumbed to the disease. Inspired by his courage and selflessness, millions of people take part in the Terry Fox Run around the world to raise funds for cancer and spread awareness about the disease. Visit www.terryfoxrun.org for details.

India in action

The second Terry Fox Run in Chennai will take place on August 22 at the IIT campus, 8am onwards. All the money raised will go to the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Write to terryfoxrunchennai@gmail.com for more information.

— Jyoti Kalsi is a UAE-based freelance writer