I just wish people would realise that anything is possible if you try. Dreams are made if people try.– Terry Fox

 Terrance Stanley ‘Terry’ Fox (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981) was a Canadianathlete & cancer activist. He became famous for the “Marathon of Hope”,a cross- Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which he himselfran with a prosthetic leg. In 1979, Terry wrote to the Canadian Cancer Society to support his run.He ran close to 42 kilometres a day through Canada’s Atlantic Provinces and after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, Terry was forced to stop running because cancer had appeared in his lungs. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22, leaving a sad and stunned nation behind.(More information on www.terryfox.org)

The Terry Fox Run is an annual non-competitive charity event held over600 cities in 53 countries to raise money exclusively for cancer research.  Another Canadian, who had lost his son to cancer, sought Terry’s approval to hold an annual run in Terry’s name and raise funds for Cancer research. The event is held every year on the second Sunday following Labour Day in Canada. Since its inception, it has raised via the ‘Terry Fox Foundation’ over C$650 million till date. The run itself is informal which means that the distance often varies, usually between 5 and 15 kilometres and participation is considered to be more important than completing the set distance. 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).

Terry Fox Run Chennai, in its seventh year, was brought to Chennai in 2009 by a teenage AkashDube, a cancer patient,with the help of the Rotary Club of Madras East & IIT Madras. He hadparticipated in the Terry Fox run Dubai since a child. The last 6 runs have been anamazing success with more than 20,000 supporters participating, and many celebrities giving theirsupport. Over INR 1 crore has been donated by large and small contributors that has been given to cancer research.AkashDubefought his cancer with zest and courage, but succumbed in 2012.

Terry Fox Run Chennai 2015 is planned on Sunday, August 23, 2015between 8 AM and 11 AM at the IIT Madras Campus. There is noregistration fee and supporters can donate and/ or participate in the run. Celebrities, well wishers and supporters will participate in the run from 8.00 a.m. More than 25,000 participants are expected. Students from schools & colleges, Officers’ Training Academy, officers of the Indian Army Southern Command, employees from corporates, Banks and private companies interested in cancer awareness will be running for the cause.

The Terry Fox Foundationhas presented plaques to the two lead organisations -the Rotary Club of MadrasEast and the IIT, Madras -to appreciate and laud theirefforts.The Rotary Club of Madras East, chartered in 1985, is a proud member of Rotary International,and ranked among the best clubs of District 3230. The club has and continues to execute manylong sustaining Service projects like Chennai Community College – East, Winner’s Bakery & Training Institute, Transformation of Kolathanallur village & adoption of Kannagi Nagar, donation of a Mobile Blood Bank Unit to VHS Blood Bank, and a Mobile Cancer Screening Unit to an NGO Penn Nalam.  Most of the projects are still active after 10 to 15 years, causing asignificant impact in the lives of thousands.

How can you help?

• Monetary donation
• Sponsorship in kind(T-shirts, caps, water, refreshments for the participants etc.)
• Publicizing the event in your organization&ensuring a huge turnout at the event
• Any other way to assist and support us

For more information please visithttp://www.terryfox.org/Foundation/Policies.html. Interested participantsmay visit www.terryfoxrunchennai.in for online registration, or call Badri9840744381 / Sudarsan 9840791900.