Bill Moysey and his partner Varya Rubin are well known in their community, among friends and family, and in the Vancouver theatre world for their eagerness to support others, their kindness and their willingness to go above and beyond for neighbours, friends, and colleagues. Now, Bill faces an intense battle with lung cancer. This comes just a few years after Varya made a full recovery from stage-3 breast cancer. Bill and Varya both work in live theatre, which has been almost completely shut down by the Covid crisis. They and their family need support for supplementary treatment, child care, and living expenses. 
Bill Moysey has been a mainstay in Vancouver theatre for decades. All of us who’ve worked with him know he is one of the most giving, supportive and positive people in the community. He jumps in with both feet, and he has often donated time and skill to support low & no-budget projects. In 2015, he and Varya moved their family to the Sunshine Coast. He continued working in Vancouver as an artist, technician, and creator. 9 months after the move, Varya faced a battle with severe breast cancer. After chemo and a mastectomy, she is in full recovery.
Now Bill faces an equally challenging struggle with lung cancer. Both Bill and Varya are optimistic, creative people and they are facing this bravely and with great positivity. Still, the world is more complicated than it was a few years ago, and money is a serious challenge.
"On the bright side," says Bill, "people will finally get to see me without all the hair."
Like many people in theatre, Bill has had no paying work since March. Much of Varya’s work has also disappeared because of the pandemic. Typically, however, they continued to give to their community. In the summer they found a way, working with distancing and Covid precautions, to produce Midsummer Night’s Dream with local children on a 5-acre farm. When the pandemic made a regular Hallowe’en impossible, they created a magical evening of immersive theatre under the Blue Moon.
This is typical of the generous spirit of this whole family. They have given so much to all of us. We would like to give back to them.
Bill's recovery will be an intense and lengthy process. We're starting our support of Bill and Varya with this campaign, but we will probably come back with another campaign in the not-too-distant future.
Bill and Varya during his run for Mayor of Gibsons.
Varya during her recovery
The Hallowe'en event.