Robson (left) and Khoo unveiling the T-shirts participants can get with a RM35 donation at the Terry Fox Run.
The famous fun run to fund and raise awareness for cancer research, founded by Canadian cancer victim Terry Fox, is returning to Malaysia after a six-year hiatus.
Fox, who lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma at 18, decided to run across Canada in 1980 to raise funds for cancer research in a “Marathon of Hope”.
However, he was forced to quit as his condition worsened. He died at the age of 22.
A non-competitive 3.3km family-oriented marathon, the Terry Fox Run is to be held at Kepong Metropolitan Park, Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 18.
The event will be particularly special as Fox’s younger brother, Darrell, is joining Malaysians in the run.
Celebrating the marathon’s 42nd year in the running, Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) announced the return of the event at a press conference.
At the media event, Canada High Commissioner to Malaysia Wayne Robson said Fox’s legacy and marathon played a huge role in contributing to cancer research awareness efforts.
“Terry was a young Canadian who represented the best of Canada in his courage, humility and determination.
“Although Terry could not finish his “Marathon of Hope”, he had inspired millions around the world to take up the fight against cancer.
“This has kept a spotlight on research and the possibility for a cure,” said Robson.
CRMY chief operating officer Andy Khoo underscored the significance of cancer research, especially with regards to cancer’s propensity for responding discreetly to the genetics of individual ethnicities.
“Many people don’t realise that cancer is unique in the sense that our DNA, genealogical profiles, behaviour and lifestyles impact the way that cancer affects us.
“Because the nature of our DNA is very different, if a biomarker for a particular cancer was effective to 90% in a Caucasian environment, the efficacy drops to as low as 30% when applied to an Asian audience,” he said.
Khoo also mentioned that despite the current successes in cancer research, funding still proved a major obstacle and inhibited further progress in the field.
“Our organisation has managed to create an early vaccine for throat cancer and develop new and improved biomarkers for breast cancer.
“Yet, one of the sad realities of the pharmacological industry is that the rate of research and funding for cancer is not as fast as you would expect,” he said.
Robson, whose family has also been affected by cancer, emphasised the importance of international cooperation to combat the disease.
“Canada has a multicultural society. Our national census in 2022 showed that Vancouver, one of our largest cities, now comprises an Asian-Canadian heritage of 50%, with Toronto comprising 30% of the same demographic.
“Ultimately, the research going on in Malaysia is a benefit not only to the global community, but quite frankly to the Canadian community as well,” he added.
Khoo said that CRMY had also begun working with McGill University in Montreal, Canada, having obtained a four-year grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research to enable joint cancer research.
