Ras al-Khaimah ruler attends Terry Fox Run

Ras al Khaimah, Feb 24 (IANS/WAM) Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, has attended the Terry Fox Run here to commemorate Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox and to raise money for cancer research.

The event on Friday was also attended by local residents, children and athletes. It aimed to promote solidarity among various government departments, private institutions and community members, while encouraging fundraising to support cancer research.

Terry Fox, who was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma in his right leg at the age of 19, sought to bring attention to cancer and its effects on lives and families though his "Marathon of Hope", in which he ran across Canada for 143 days, completing nearly a marathon every day.

In 1980, with one leg having been amputated, the Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.

The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries. It is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

--IANS/WAM

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