The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Carrying forward the torch of awareness about cancer

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Monday, Aug 31, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Carrying forward the torch of awareness about cancer

Staff Reporter

For first time, Chennai plays host to events in memory of Terry Fox

Photo: S.S Kumar

For a cause: Participants at the Terry Fox Run in Chennai on Sunday. —

CHENNAI: Enthusiastic runners with energy drinks in their hands, NCC volunteers marching along with placards containing awareness messages, a contingent of kids on roller blades and some others on bicycles. All that and more happened at the Terry Fox Run organised at the YMCA grounds, Nandanam, here on Sunday. The event which is conducted every year all over the world in memory of Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete who suffered from bone cancer, was held here for the first time.

The idea behind the run is Akash Dube, a 17-year-old student who was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) earlier this year. “I have been approached by complete strangers who offered to donate blood to keep the cancer in check, for as long as I want. I was touched by the concern and kindness. This event is my way of giving something back,” he said.

He added that the primary focus of the run was to create awareness and also to raise money for cancer research. “The money raised will be donated to the Tata Memorial Centre for fundamental research into cancer. Awareness is very important in the case of cancer as early detection significantly improves the chance of a cure,” he said.

Peter Bremberg, a cancer survivor whose leg was amputated because of bone cancer, like Terry Fox himself, said that awareness really does help. “It is probably only because of the attention that Terry Fox’s marathon of hope generated and the subsequent funding for research that I’m standing here today. Terry Fox’s story should be shared.” A contingent from the Canadian embassy participated in the run. Shaun Wedick, Counsel and Senior Trade Commissioner in the Embassy, said $ 300 million had poured in as donations for research through various Terry Fox runs since its inception. “It is great that the event has reached India. I hope this becomes an annual fixture,” he said. Actor Anu Hasan flagged off the run and participated

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