Terry Fox’s legacy lives on with the 39th annual Marathon of Hope

Fox was born in Manitoba, but was raised in Port Coquitlam, B.C. He was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and forced to have his right leg amputated above the knee. After seeing the suffering of cancer patients, Terry decided to organize his Marathon of Hope and run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres to prepare, Fox started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, donations soon poured in. He ran close to 42 kilometres a day through Canada’s Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario.

Bill Vigars  was the person responsible for much of the promotion and success of the Marathon of Hope in 1980. Bill acted as Terry’s Public Relations Manager, his friend and his confidante. He joins us today to discuss the Marathon of Hope, the legacy of Terry Fox, and the upcoming Terry Fox Run happening this Sunday at Stanley Park and throughout other communities across the country… 

On September 1st, 1980, Fox ran his last mile for the Marathon of Hope. Throughout his run and even in the months before, Terry neglected his medical appointments because he believed that his cancer would not return… but it had. Doctors in Thunder Bay confirmed that cancer had spread from his legs to his lungs, which left him so weak that he was unable to continue on.

Terry Fox passed away from cancer on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22. What was the final day of the Marathon of Hope like? What were the following days like for the Fox family, friends and supporters? 

The Terry Fox Run is an annual charity 3k/10k walk/run event that takes place at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park this Sunday September 15th. Registration opens at 8:00am and the run begins at 10:00am. 

Guest: Bill Vigars 

Personal friend of Terry Fox’s

Helped organize Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980

Previous Director of PR for the Ontario division of the Canadian Cancer Society

Fox was born in Manitoba, but was raised in Port Coquitlam, B.C. He was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and forced to have his right leg amputated above the knee. After seeing the suffering of cancer patients, Terry decided to organize his Marathon of Hope and run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres to prepare, Fox started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, donations soon poured in. He ran close to 42 kilometres a day through Canada’s Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario.

Bill Vigars  was the person responsible for much of the promotion and success of the Marathon of Hope in 1980. Bill acted as Terry’s Public Relations Manager, his friend and his confidante. He joins us today to discuss the Marathon of Hope, the legacy of Terry Fox, and the upcoming Terry Fox Run happening this Sunday at Stanley Park and throughout other communities across the country… 

On September 1st, 1980, Fox ran his last mile for the Marathon of Hope. Throughout his run and even in the months before, Terry neglected his medical appointments because he believed that his cancer would not return… but it had. Doctors in Thunder Bay confirmed that cancer had spread from his legs to his lungs, which left him so weak that he was unable to continue on.

Terry Fox passed away from cancer on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22. What was the final day of the Marathon of Hope like? What were the following days like for the Fox family, friends and supporters? 

The Terry Fox Run is an annual charity 3k/10k walk/run event that takes place at Ceperley Park in Stanley Park this Sunday September 15th. Registration opens at 8:00am and the run begins at 10:00am. 

Guest: Bill Vigars 

Personal friend of Terry Fox’s

Helped organize Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980

Previous Director of PR for the Ontario division of the Canadian Cancer Society