Betty Fox
Betty Fox | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Betty Fox (far left, front) carries the Olympic flag into the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver. | |
| Born | Betty Lou Wark November 15, 1937 Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | June 17, 2011 (aged 73) Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Spouse |
Rolland Fox (m. 1956) |
| Children | 4; including Terry |
Betty Lou Fox[1][2] (née Wark; November 15, 1937 – June 17, 2011) was a Canadian cancer research activist, the mother of Terry Fox and founder of the Terry Fox Foundation. She was the most prominent figure in Terry Fox's legacy.
Biography
[edit]Fox was born in Boissevain, Manitoba, on November 15, 1937.[3] She was raised in Melita, Manitoba, and in her teens moved to Winnipeg, where she met her husband Rolland "Rolly" Fox, who was working for the Canadian National Railway. They married in 1956.[4]
The Foxes had four children: sons Fred (born 1957), Terry (1958), and Darrell (1961), and daughter Judith (1965). In 1966 the family moved to British Columbia, making Port Coquitlam their home. In March 1977, Terry was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, and his right leg was amputated above the knee.[4]
Marathon of Hope
[edit]Terry Fox expressed to his mother his wish to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. He began the Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, which was a run across Canada from St. 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, ON. Immediately, support to continue his cause came from across the country and overseas. He died on June 28, 1981.[5]
Terry Fox Run and Foundation
[edit]With so much public attention on his cause and his death, Betty Fox found no time to grieve as her support for her son continued. 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. Fox 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. "It is estimated that Betty spoke to more than 400,000 school children alone during her 25 years of touring the country, leaving each and every child with the inspirational story of the Marathon of Hope. The final words of every speech, "Never, ever give up on your dreams," have become her hallmark."[5]
Fox was selected to be one of the Olympic flag-bearers in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. One month later on March 12, 2010, Fox and her husband Rolly carried the Paralympic Torch into the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Games, after a whole segment of those ceremonies were dedicated to their son Terry.
Death
[edit]Fox died June 17, 2011, due to complications from diabetes and arthritis.[4] She was survived by her husband, three children, and nine grandchildren. Her memorial was held in Port Coquitlam, at the same church where Terry's memorial was held 30 years previously, almost to the day. It was attended by dignitaries including former Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee CEO 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.[6]
Her husband Rolland died of lung cancer on March 9, 2016.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Terry Fox Family (June 21, 2011). "Notice of Funeral Service for Mrs. Betty Fox" (Press release). Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012 – via Canada Newswire.
- ^ "Betty Lou Fox". Oliveira Funeral Home. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
- ^ Lazaruk, Susan (June 25, 2011). "'Moving, simple and beautiful' services held for Betty Fox, 73". Windsor Star. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c Martin, Sandra (June 18, 2011). "Betty Fox, cancer-advocacy champion and mother of Terry Fox, dies". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "Notice of Funeral Service for Mrs. Betty Fox". Terry Fox Foundation. June 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ "Mother of cancer research activist Terry Fox dies". Fox News. Associated Press. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- ^ Ip, Stephanie (March 9, 2016). "Family of Marathon of Hope runner Terry Fox mourns patriarch, Rolland". The Province. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016 – via MSN.