It’s time for another person to hold the torch for the Marathon of Hope (MOH).
Invoice Vigars, the publicist who devoted the final 44 years to protecting Terry Fox’s dream alive, has been reunited along with his previous pal.
After months of failing well being, Vigars, 78, handed away mercifully Wednesday in hospital in B.C.
“I’ll be sure you dwell without end,” Vigars promised Fox in 1980.
Greater than 4 many years later, he stored his phrase, and the Terry Fox motion has grown internationally.
Their friendship started when Vigars was despatched by the Canadian Most cancers Society (CCS) to Atlantic Canada to fulfill Fox at the start of his MOH and assist make him and his journey identified nationally.
Invoice Vigars is seen within the background of this photograph of Terry Fox (Supply: Terry Fox Basis)
“He was the supervisor of the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce, and he was at all times into promotions,” mentioned Bob Vigars, Payments’ brother.
Invoice was a brand new rent, simply beginning work for the CCS, in order that they assigned him to the MOH.
“Terry Fox had began his run, and the Most cancers Society mentioned, ‘why do not you go all the way down to the East Coast and discover out what’s this all about as a result of he is alleged to be elevating cash for most cancers.’ By the point they obtained to Ontario, Invoice was the entrance man. He is going forward and establishing the gatherings at varied cities and locations. He says, to all people, that was the best expertise of his life.”
Invoice would start organizing occasions by means of Ontario, from the opening kick at a CFL sport in Ottawa, assembly Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, a giant talking engagement at Nathan Phillips Sq. to an historic run by means of London, Ont.
Typically, Invoice and Terry wouldn’t see eye to eye, however Invoice knew the most effective methods to lift cash.
“Terry so was targeted on getting his marathon and daily, however Invoice knew generally that route that Terry wished to get accomplished was simply going by means of slightly village,” mentioned Bob.
“If we may deviate slightly bit, and add on a pair extra miles, we’ll go into a much bigger neighborhood and there is going to be extra alternatives to lift funds. So, he was considerably concerned in altering the route on occasion, a lot to Terry’s chagrin.”
Invoice Vigars, former publicist for the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, speaks to CTV Information from the Terry Fox Memorial in Vancouver, B.C. (Supply: CTV Information Vancouver)
Through the years, Invoice mentioned two issues concerning the London look had been burned in his reminiscence.
“One was coming to the Kellogg’s plant and looking out up, I believe it is about 5 or 6 storeys excessive, and the entire roof is lined with staff they usually’re throwing cash all the way down to this group of individuals which included the London Hearth Division, who’ve joined us to gather the cash,” Invoice informed CTV Information.
The second was approaching Victoria Park.
“We’re awestruck. That total park was full of individuals, and it was probably the most superb reception for Terry,” mentioned Invoice.
Invoice’s legacy and advocacy can’t solely be felt in London however might be seen. Over the previous decade, he’s been instrumental in getting signage and plaques put up across the metropolis detailing Fox’s route in 1980.
“Getting into from Dundas Avenue East, working all the way in which from the town limits, all the way in which all the way down to Richmond Avenue, working into Victoria Park then north to the town limits,” mentioned Paul Cox, Invoice’s pal and former chair of the London Terry Fox Run committee.
“There is a plaque that’s to the left of the Victoria Park Bandshell that talks about Terry’s street by means of London on July 17 and 18 in 1980. Invoice was even concerned in serving to that to develop into a actuality.”
On that plaque is a particular quote.
“Invoice as soon as mentioned a ten-word assertion meaning a lot to me,” mentioned Cox.
“’A bit little bit of Terry Fox lives in each Canadian’ and the explanation he does is due to Invoice Vigars.”
Invoice Vigars, former publicist for the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, speaks on the unveiling of a plaque in Victoria Park on July 17, 2021. (Supply: Brent Lale/CTV London)
In 2022, Invoice joined forces with author Ian Harvey to pen the e book “Terry and Me”.
“Invoice had many nights of telling tales of on the street with Terry round a campfire down in Port Stanley, Ont., the place I lived for various years,” mentioned Cox.
“I’ve identified Invoice for a very long time. He was simply such a significant, vital cog in all of the Terry Fox phenomenon. He’ll be significantly missed.”
Invoice’s household, together with his spouse, Sherry, and children, Patrick and Kerry Anne, are devasted by the loss, however so happy with what Invoice did.
“I believe Terry is a legend in and of himself, there is not any query, however I believe my brother performed a task in bringing the eye to the media,” mentioned Bob.
He did that for the previous 44 years. Now it’s time for another person to take the torch.
“Invoice definitely set the bar, and I believe it has been picked up now by all of the run organizers throughout Canada,” mentioned Cox.
“Whether or not they be the lecturers in elementary and excessive faculties, whether or not they be the run organizers of all of the lots of of various run websites that occur the second Sunday after Labor Day yearly. They’re the people who have taken the torch from Terry and from Invoice and stored it going.”
44 years after the Marathon of Hope started and Invoice made that promise to Fox, he’s lastly reunited along with his good pal.
Bob Vigars believes his brother’s work and advocacy has constructed a life-long basis for most cancers fundraising.
“There may be numerous troopers on the market, so I believe Terry goes to dwell on without end,” mentioned Bob.