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Dubai: Canadian hero inspires Al Jalila Foundation to raise money for cancer research
Terry Fox launched an epic run on a prosthetic leg in 1980 across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research
- PUBLISHED: Wed 18 Dec 2024, 10:26 PM UPDATED: Thu 19 Dec 2024, 12:36 AM
Tracy Reynolds, Consul General of Canada to the UAE, was barely 10 years old when Canadian athlete Terry Fox launched his soul-stirring run - Marathon of Hope - on a prosthetic leg in 1980 across the vast North American country to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
A distance runner who also played basketball, Fox was only 19 in 1977 when his right leg had to be amputated due to cancer.
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Instead of diminishing his spirits, cancer only gave Fox a new purpose in life - to devote himself to an act that demanded immense physical and mental endurance.
Fox covered half the country, running 42 kilometres per day before he was forced to stop the Marathon of Hope.
The cancer returned to claim his life in 1981 - but by then, the brave young man had already raised millions of dollars for the fight against the deadly disease.
A national hero in Canada, Fox will now be featured in the next Canadian five-dollar bill, the country's government announced on Wednesday.
And here in Dubai, the Al Jalila Foundation, which has dedicated itself to 'transforming lives through medical treatment, education and research', has joined hands with the Terry Fox Foundation to organise a series of ice hockey matches featuring former international players and a charity golf tournament during Canada Week 2025 (March 4-9) to raise funds for cancer research.
Reynolds, the Canadian diplomat, says his heart swells with pride to be involved in an initiative inspired by the valour of his legendary countryman.
“I still remember his curly hair; he was a kid. He was young, he was just 22 when he passed away, but his impact on the world is so much greater than so many world leaders,” Reynolds told the Khaleej Times during an event in Dubai.
“Can you imagine this? This was 1980 and this young man decided he would run across the country. He was going out there, raising money so others would not have to go through what he had gone through.”
Shared goal
Reynolds says Canada and the UAE are connected by the deep-rooted desire to work for humanity.
“It's so important to have a partner like the Jalila Foundation for this initiative. We have the same goal, which is to find a cure for cancer, to raise money so we can continue to do research into something that affects so many people, so many families,” he said.
“We are old enough to remember when Terry Fox was running across Canada, and everyone was so emotionally attached to him and what he was doing as a young man who was running across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
“Most Canadians who were in Canada at that time, everybody would remember where they were when it was announced that they had to stop the run. Seeing him being carried away on a stretcher to an ambulance was shocking because we all thought it was going to be a happy ending.
“And it has been a happy ending in a way because here we are all these years later talking about this man who was inspirational and hundreds of millions of dollars that have been raised around the world under his name for cancer research.”
Cancer may have stopped Fox from completing his marathon, but David Barette, Chairman of the Canada Week Committee, says his legacy will live on.
“His story resonates with everybody across the world. And we are so happy to have launched this initiative, and the money raised through this event will stay in the UAE for cancer research,” he said
Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, agreed with Barette.
“Terry Fox's story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and compassion. Terry set out to make a difference in the fight against cancer, inspiring millions worldwide through his 'Marathon of Hope.' His legacy lives on as a beacon of courage and selflessness, demonstrating that one individual's dream can unite people globally towards a common cause,” Al Zarooni said.
“And our partnership with The Terry Fox Foundation is profoundly significant for the Al Jalila Foundation. Collaborating with Dubai Canada Week 2025 allows us to combine our efforts to support cutting-edge cancer research while fostering community engagement and giving hope to cancer patients and their families. This partnership reflects a shared vision to honour Terry's legacy and make strides toward a cancer-free future.”
Celebrities as volunteers
A host of celebrities will arrive in Dubai to play a selfless part in this wonderful initiative.
“Dubai once upon a time used to have one of the largest Terry Fox Runs in the world, there used to be almost 10,000 people that would take part,” said Peter Sheremeta, International Run Director, The Terry Fox Foundation.
“But this event is not a traditional Terry Fox Run. It's a series of events like hockey games with retired hockey stars, some celebrities and other athletes who will be flying in from Canada.
“And it's really important to say also that the players and celebrities that are coming they are not being paid, they are doing it for free as volunteers, their flights from Canada are donated, Air Canada has donated a lot of flights, so it's not that we are spending a lot of money to organise this. That means that when people donate money for this event, the vast majority of that money is going to go to cancer research. And we are all really, really proud of that.”
The Canada Week will take place barely a couple of weeks after a high-profile international ice hockey tournament.
“In February, there is going to be a very big ice hockey tournament called the Ice Hockey Cup and it's going to be between Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden. They have the best players, it's similar to the World Cup, but the four best teams in the world will play in it,” Sheremeta said.
“So, it's cool that a couple of weeks after that tournament this event is going to happen in Dubai. But instead of competing to win, we want to win the fight against cancer.”
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Rituraj Borkakoty is Sports Editor and has spent more than two decades writing on his sporting heroes. He also loves an underdog story, so if you have one, share it with him. He would love to bring it to life.