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Abu Dhabi: For the past 26 years she has participated in the annual Terry Fox Run to help raise awareness and funds for cancer.
Although this will be her first year to run outside her home country, Canada, Colleen Dougherty is committed to be a part of the Terry Fox Run wherever she is.
"I was only two years old when I first participated in the Terry Fox Run in 1982 and I was actually too young to run so my mom was pushing my sister and me in a stroller," Dougherty, 28, says.
Her family's commitment to the Terry Fox Run began through her mom. "My mum had watched Terry Fox live when he was doing his run and when he died in 1981, my mom was devastated along with the whole country. And so she was committed to run it with us when it came to our home town in Alberta," Dougherty says.
Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete who was diagnosed with cancer at 18 and decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and funds for cancer in 1981. His efforts have lived on through the annual Marathon of Hope, which takes place in more than 40 countries.
Dougherty moved to Abu Dhabi in August with her husband Neil, an engineer, and shortly after called the Terry Fox foundation in Canada to inquire how she can promote the Terry Fox run in her new hometown. Much to her surprise, the Abu Dhabi annual Terry Fox Run will celebrate their 13th anniversary this year when it is held on February 8.
Having witnessed the effect of cancer in her own family, the grade-two teacher, has been devoted to Terry Fox's cause and has inherited her mom's passion for finding a cure for cancer.
"My mum is a nurse and she has seen the devastating effect of cancer ... My dad had three cancer tumours in his lung when I was four. Thankfully, they were removed after intensive care, but the Terry Fox Run is a great opportunity for me to help in making a difference," says Dougherty. While Dougherty's mom already participated in the Terry Fox Run, which takes place in September in Canada, she is getting ready for the Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run.
"I only have one wish, that the weather would be good...," she says
The Terry Fox Run will kick off from the parking lot behind the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort to the Khaleej Al Arabi road and back this Friday. Registration will start at 8am and the non-competitive run is open for all.
Awareness: National icon
Terry Fox was dubbed as one of the greatest Canadians who had lived. He became a hero shortly after he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma cancer in his right knee in 1977.
Despite his right foot being amputated, Fox decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Starting from the east coast of Canada, Fox gained little attention and support at first but soon became a national icon.
His plan was to run more than 40km per day and reach Victoria, Canada's far west coast stopping along the way to speak and raise funds. After 143 days, Fox was forced to stop when he found out that the cancer was spreading. Before he died on June 28, 1981, Fox raised more than $24 million [about Dh88.1 million]. To this day, the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope is run all through the world.
- Terry Fox Foundation
Have you ever participated in the Terry Fox run? Does the world still remember the original cause?
Your comments
Cancer is a deadly disease and I sincerely beleive that we should find a cure for it.
Matthew
Lancaster,USA
Posted: February 05, 2008, 12:28
I have been participating in the Terry Fox run in Abu Dhabi from the past 8 years. I always look forward to the next run as soon as the one I am participating in is over!
Sonia
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: February 05, 2008, 11:43
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