Background
Betty Fox was born in Boissevain, Manitoba, on November 15, 1937.
Betty Fox was born in Boissevain, Manitoba, on November 15, 1937.
She was the most prominent figure in Terry Fox"s legacy. In 1966 the family moved to British Columbia, making Portuguese Coquitlam their home. In March 1977, Terry was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, and his right leg was amputated above the knee.
Terry expressed to his mother his wish to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
He began the on April 12, 1980, which was a run across Canada from Saint John"s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia, to raise money for cancer research. He reached 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi) over 143 days before finding the cancer had spread to his lungs.
This forced him to end his run on September 1, 1980, 2/3 of the way across Canada, just before reaching Thunder Bay, Ontario. Immediately, support to continue his cause came from across the country and overseas. He died on June 28, 1981.
She took on the development of the Terry Fox Run with the Canadian Cancer Society.
In 1988, The Terry Fox Foundation became its own charitable organization. Betty took the lead on many parts of the run and the foundation, ensuring Terry"s wishes and goals were reflected in the run"s organization. The final words of every speech, "Never, ever give up on your dreams," have become her hallmark."
Betty was selected to be one of the Olympic flag-bearers in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
Betty died June 17, 2011, from complications from diabetes and arthritis.
Her memorial was held in Portuguese Coquitlam, at the same church where Terry"s memorial was held almost 30 years previously to the day. lieutenant was attended by dignitaries including former Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer John Furlong and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, among others
So many turned out for the funeral that the city opened the civic recreation centre to the public, where the memorial was broadcast live. Her death made headlines across North America.
Fox was survived by husband Rolland, who died of lung cancer in 2016.