The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Rain hardly dampens spirit of Terry Fox run

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Monday, Aug 23, 2010
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rain hardly dampens spirit of Terry Fox run

Staff Reporter

3,000 persons participate in cancer fund-raising event

Photo: R. Ragu

Vibrating with cause:DGP Letika Saran , U.S. Consul General in Chennai Andrew T. Simkin and actor Vikram at the flag-off of the Terry Fox run at IIT-Madras on Sunday. —

Chennai: A contingent of schoolchildren on roller blades, Indian Navy officers and working professionals with energy drinks in their hands, volunteers marching along with placards carrying awareness messages, people on bicycles and an ambulance to provide the necessary medical help — despite the rain, the second edition of Terry Fox Chennai run organised at the IIT Madras on Sunday, had it all.

More than 3,000 persons participated in the run organised with the objective of raising funds for cancer research.

The run is conducted all over the world in memory of the Canadian athlete and cancer activist Terry Fox.

The inspiration behind the run is Akash Dube, a 17-year-old student diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) last year. Akash, who is doing an internship at IIT-M on the growth of cancer cells, said that the programme is an attempt to create public awareness of the need for investing in basic research on finding cure for the disease.

“People expect faster results, hence any kind of long-term research focussed on lasting solutions is discouraged,” he said, adding that support from institutions and the community would help in bringing to fore the best results in medical research.

Director-General of Police Letika Saran and U.S. Consul General in Chennai Andrew T. Simkin flagged off the event at 8 a.m. Actor Vikram was present at the venue to boost the morale of the participants.

Urging the society to extend support to the cause of funding cancer research, Terry Fox Run Chairman from Rotary Club (Madras East) N. Badrinarayanan said that fighting cancer was not the responsibility of the victims alone.

“All of us need to put a check on the growing urban lifestyle, and ensure that the dangers of unhealthy living are not passed on to future generations,” he added.

Route maps were provided to the participants and as many as eighty volunteers spread across the campus assisted the participants in the 6.4 km run. The money raised will be donated to the TATA Memorial Centre for fundamental research on cancer.

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