The Terry Fox Run Abu Dhabi will collaborate with its Al Ain, Dubai and The Northern Emirates counterparts in funding seven cancer research projects with a total of over AED2.3 million in funds. The money, which was raised at the annual Runs, through donations and t-shirt sales, will go to fund researchers at the UAE University (UAEU) over the next three years. The locally-funded and world-class cancer research projects will then be evaluated in Switzerland and Canada by a team of international oncology researchers.
The announcement of this collaboration coincides with World Cancer Day which takes place every year on February 4. The Day is an initiative that aims to unite the entire world to work together and fight the global disease of cancer. World Cancer Day 2012 is particularly important as it falls almost half a year after the first United Nations High-level Meeting on Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the signing of the Political Declaration supporting prevention and control of these devastating conditions, including cancer. This year’s World Cancer Day comes under the theme of: ‘Together it is possible’ to highlight the instrumental role that every person, organisation and government can individually play to reduce premature deaths from cancer and other NCDs by 25% by the year 2025.
The Terry Fox Run brings the community together and plays a major role in supporting medical research that is not only helping to raise cancer awareness among society, but that is also financially contributing to research conducted here in the UAE. The UAE plays an important part in the accelerating search for the cure and prevention of cancer, thanks to the efforts of the annual Terry Fox Runs held in Abu Dhabi along with other cities in the UAE.
The AED2.3 million will go to fund research undertaken by UAEU’s Faculty of Medicine in Al Ain. The projects will cover a wide range of treatment methodologies and investigative research, including: overcoming resistance to cancer treatment drugs, the use of genetically mixed retroviruses for gene based cancer therapy, the role of anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. aspirin) in preventing cancer cell growth, the effects of various genetic factors on cancer progression and a new strategy to aid the body’s immune defences to tumours by inhibiting a type of white blood cell that protects the tumours.
The joint funding of these seven research projects will bring the total number of projects funded by Terry Fox Runs in the UAE to an impressive 42 projects, at an overall value of close to AED10.1 million. The research, which is evaluated in Switzerland and Canada, is undertaken by UAE-based researchers and scientists and is focused on the needs of citizens and residents of the UAE.
The Terry Fox Run Abu Dhabi is set to take place on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on February 17 2012. The Run, now in its 17th year in the Capital, is held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE.
People can walk, run, roller-blade or skateboard, and the course is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; however, cycling will not be permitted due to safety precautions. Registration begins at 7 am and the Run itself will start at 10am. Cash and cheque donations are gratefully accepted on the event day.
For more information on the Abu Dhabi Run, please email abudhabiterryfoxrun@gmail.com. For companies or schools wishing to register teams and order custom t-shirts, please email adtfrtshirts@gmail.com. For those wanting to volunteer their time for this cause, please email adtfrvolunteers@gmail.com.
For up-to-date information, supporters can now join the official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiTerryFoxRun and the official Facebook Event:
http://www.facebook.com/events/329003767133750/
Hi! I am 19 years old and I would like to volunteer for the coming Terry Fox Run on the 22nd of February . Hope to hear from u soon. Thank u.
Nada