Canadian Mission Grateful For Terry Fox Run 2000

The Sixth Annual Terry Fox Run, also known as The Marathon of Hope which was organised by the Canadian High Commission took place at the Ghana International School, Cantonments.

The event saw many Ghanaians and expatriates taking part as their contribution towards cancer research in the country. Donations from the run are still pouring into the offices of the organisers and it is envisaged that this one would surpass the previous exercise in terms of funds. The six- kilometre run started at 9 am Saturday November 18 and when participants returned to GIS there was food available from Steers, as were drinks and other activities. Side attractions at the function included a raffle for a British Airways return ticket to London, auction and sale of assorted items donated by corporate bodies in Ghana and numerous prizes for participants.

Nadine Bridi, a sixth grade student at the Lincoln School, won the British Airways ticket. All funds received through the admission fee, auction, sale of T-shirts and raffle tickets will go towards cancer research in the country.

In 1980 a young Canadian named Terry Fox ran a 'Marathon of Hope' to raise funds for cancer research. At an early stage he lost the lower part of his right leg to bone cancer, but survived. He believed that he had won his fight against cancer and wanted to raise funds to fight the disease. After running 3,339 miles, he was forced to stop in Thunder Bay, Ontario because the cancer had spread to his lungs and he was too ill to continue.

Over 24 million dollars was raised in the year following the Marathon of Hope. Since 1980, Terry Fox Runs have been held annually throughout Canada and around the world. To date more than $220 million has been raised worldwide to support cancer research.

Ghanaians have for the past five years proved their enduring spirit and generosity at Terry Fox Runs in Accra. In 1999, ¢64 million was raised by Ghanaians and expatriates in the country for research into a type of cancer called Burkitt's lymphoma which is prevalent in Ghana and particularly among children.

Since the first Terry Fox Run in 1995 over ¢200 million has been raised and provided to the Burkitt's Tumor Project at the University of Ghana for research activities.

The Canadian High Commission has expressed its appreciation to corporate bodies and organisations, the media as well as the general Ghanaian populace for donating in cash and kind towards this year's Run.