Photos courtesy Bruce Vance. Bruce Vance (left) and photographer Danny Bailey film Terry Fox speaking in London in 1980. Prince Albert Terry Fox Run honourary chair Bruce Vance will always remember July 17, 1980. It’s the day Terry Fox arrived in London, Ont. to speak to reporters during the Marathon of Hope. At that time, Vance was in his second year studying Radio and Television Arts at what was then known as Ryerson University, but spent the summer in his hometown of Tillsonburg, Ont., and he jumped at the opportunity to interview Terry Fox. “(I) got a summer grant with three other buddies to do a television show twice weekly in my hometown cable station,” remembered Vance, who is currently battling cancer himself. “We would go around the community and film different events and basically do a news, sports, entertainment show twice a week. “He came to London, Ontario on July 17, 1980, and London is about 40 minutes away from Tillsonburg. It was something that we wanted to cover for our local newscast.” Vance described that day in London as incredible and the park where the Terry Fox event took place as a beautiful setting. “Terry Fox came in and was followed by lots of media,” he remembered. “More media showed up and were set up on the stage. We were off to the right-hand side, I believe, with our TV cameras.
Terry Fox on stage in London, Ontario July 17, 1980 with TIN-Tillsonburg Information and News, which Bruce Vance worked for, visible. (Archives and Special Collections, Western University (LFP Collection)
“He gave a motivational speech to a huge crowd that was on hand there, and it was very motivational.”
As a member of the working media at the event, Vance took part in a scrum with national and local media. It was an exciting opportunity, but Vance said he was also a bit nervous.
“I was sort of in awe of the whole situation so I stood back and let the CBCs and CTVs of the world ask the questions,” he explained.
Vance described the entire moment as surreal.
“One of Canada’s greatest heroes in person and to have a chance to be up close and personal with him; it was just a memory I will never forget,”
Vance was just 19-years-old at the time-slightly younger than Terry Fox was. He said being part of this event felt unique due to all the excitement , energy , and pride those gathered had for Terry Fox.
The passage of time has made this experience even more significant.
“It is again quite t ie-in because my Dad had just passed away with cancer in 1979 so it had more of an effect on me at th e time,” Vance said. “It has even more effect now that I am currently battling cancerand going through my battles. Itwas somethingthatwasalifeexperienceforme.”
Vanc esaidthenightlynewsalwaysledtheircoveragewith Terry Foxduringthe Marathonof Hope. Thatmadeitevenmoredifficultwhen Foxdied.
“When he passed awayand stopped his run itwasaverysombermomentforourentirenationandsomethingthatwewillneverforget,”Vancesaid.
Vancealsoworksasthe Marketingand Sponsorship Coordinatorwiththe Cityof Prince Albert.
The Terry Fox Runforcancerresearchtakesplaceon Sunday Sept18. Participantscanwalk, jog, runorwheelandcanals ochoose distanceyouwanttogotwofiveortenkm. Aroutewillbemarkedoutstartingatthe Alfred Jenkins Field Housewithagroupstartat1:00pm. Registerbetween12:15and1pm.
“Toseeallofthemillionsandbillionsofdollars Thathavebeenraisedforcancerresearchby Terry Foxandthroughevents likethe Terry Fox Run, itdoesaheartproudtoseewhat Canadaand Canadianshavedoneforcancerresearchandhopefullywecanfinda cureoneday,”Vancesaid.
Registertodayatwww. terryfoxrun. caandstartcollectingpledges/donationsnow. Thegoalistoraise$15 ,000. Cancersurvivorsorpati entscanjoin Terry’s Teamatwww. terryfoxrun. ca.
Theannual Terry Fox Run Relaywithregisteredteamswillbeheldon Saturday Sept10at1:30patth Harry Jerome Track.
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