There has never been a Canadian quite like Terry Fox and there’s never been a story quite like The Marathon of Hope.

A twenty-two-year-old cancer survivor and amputee, Terry set out from St. John’s, Newfoundland in April 1980, aiming to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. His first months on the road in Atlantic Canada and Quebec were not only physically taxing—he ran the equivalent of a marathon a day—but frustrating as Canadians were slow to recognize and support his endeavor.

That all changed when he met a young man named Bill Vigars, who on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society led a campaign to ensure that every person in Canada knew the story of this outstanding young man. Vigars was by Fox’s side through all the highs and lows until the tragic end of his journey in Thunder Bay. A recurrence of his cancer cut short Terry’s dream and, soon, his life. Now, for the first time, Vigars tells the inside story of the Marathon of Hope—the logistical nightmares, boardroom battles, and moments of pure magic—while giving us a fresh, insightful portrait of one of the greatest Canadians who ever lived.

BILL VIGARS was the Director of Public Relations and Fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Ontario Division, and acted as Terry Fox’s public relations organizer, his close friend and confidante. He set up several key events as the Run entered Toronto.

Bill Vigars' profile page

''A grippingly told story by one of the few people on earth who was actually there. A once in a lifetime read." - Douglas Coupland, novelist, author of Terry.

"Reading Bill Vigars's book deepened my understanding of the summer that formed Terry's legacy: from the daily itineraries of the run, to the logistical maneuvers of such a large-scale event, Bill's insights fill out so much more of the picture." - Steve Nash, Two-Time NBA MVP.

"By taking readers along for the run, Vigars hopes to communicate not only Fox’s dogged determination, but also 'reveal some inside stories that people had never heard about.'" - Jaime Portman, The National Post.