Mon, Nov 22, 1999 page2

• Taipei's Terry Fox run draws record crowds

  MARATHON OF HOPE Nineteen years after launching his great run across Canada, the movement that Terry Fox began drew thousands to the Taipei fund-raiser

  • By Monique Chu / STAFF REPORTER
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  A record 7,000 people joined Taipei's annual Terry Fox Run yesterday to raise funds for cancer research, resulting in one of the largest turnouts for the worldwide event this year.

  The run, which began yesterday morning at the Keelung Rivershore Park, drew more than 5,000 participants for the 3km stage and another 2,000 who went the full 9km distance. It was the fifth time the run has been held in Taipei.

  The event takes its name from Canadian Terry Fox who, after losing his right leg to bone cancer, embarked on a historic run across Canada on an artificial leg to raise money for cancer research in 1980. It ended prematurely, after Fox had covered more than 5,500 kilometers at a rate of 42 kilometers per day, when the cancer he had been fighting spread to his lungs. He died the next year, aged 21.

  

  Having lost his leg to cancer, Terry Fox inspired millions in his historic run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

  PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE TERRY FOX FOUNDATION

  Fox's efforts were not in vain, however, as the run, much of which was televised, inspired a generation of Canadians, as well as others around the world, to gain a greater awareness of the disease.

  Darrell Fox, Terry's young brother who was in Taipei yesterday to join the run, recalled Terry's decision to launch his "Marathon of Hope" 19 years ago.

  "It was from witnessing the effects that cancer has had on so many people by having to go through chemotherapy -- that's what inspired him to run across Canada," Darrell said yesterday.

  Terry's story inspired a group of followers to launch the Terry Fox Run worldwide in 1981, with the aim of raising funds for cancer research. By the end of last year, the charity race had been held in more than 300 locations across 54 countries. Up to this September, funds raised were close to C$250 million (about NT$5.375 billion), according to statistics released by the Terry Fox Foundation.

  The Taipei run has raised more than NT$10 million over the past five years for cancer research conducted by the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, according to Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬-^?E), who took part in yesterday's 9km run. The hospital donates an equal amount to annual international symposiums on cancer research.

  Chen Yu-ray (3祝R瑞), superintendent of the hospital, said the charity event is meaningful because it encourages people to run for their health and raises public awareness of the importance of cancer research. "Although the funds raised are not so huge, the event can help people understand that combating cancer requires long-term and large-scale efforts," Chen said.

  The sheer size of yesterday's turnout was impressive for some, however, most notably the younger Fox. "This is absolutely incredible, probably one of our largest runs in the world," he said. "There were close to 5,600 runs around the world this year, and Taipei is close to being number one. People here should be very proud of what they have done," said Fox, who was later besieged by crowds of locals who stood in long lines waiting for his autograph.

  Participants, for their part, cited various reasons for joining the run.

  Justin Kuan (?THORN>良維), a student at the Taipei American School, said he and his classmates had taken part to show support for one of their classmates who is suffering from leukemia. "We want to walk for her," he said.

  Tu Mao-kai (杜-Z開), a veteran runner who finished first in the 9km run, said he simply wanted the training. "There haven't been many long-distance runs organized lately, so this can help keep me in shape," Tu said, admitting that he didn't know too much about Terry Fox.

  David Mulroney, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, who took part in the 9km race, said that compared with Terry Fox Runs he had joined in Malaysia and Canada, there was something really special about the Taipei run.

  "It's the enthusiasm, the way people talk about it throughout the year, and especially how people are familiar with Terry Fox's story," Mulroney said. "And that [understanding] is the most important thing. A very ordinary young man had a dream and he pursued that dream. And now we commemorate him all over the world."

  While Darrell Fox recollected memories of his brother Terry yesterday, he said he still can't truly comprehend how Terry was able to run 42km a day while suffering from cancer.

  "I haven't been able to answer that question," he admitted. "But when Terry started the run, he said `I wanted to try the impossible, to show that it could be done.' And that's what I think Terry did in 1980."
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