Cancer research crusader Betty Fox dies

Betty Fox, the mother of cancer research icon Terry Fox, has died.

A news release from the Terry Fox Foundation, which she helmed for 30 years, said she "passed away peacefully surrounded by love" on Friday morning.

Fox, who was in her early 70s, was being cared for at a hospice in Chilliwack, B.C., during the final weeks of her life.

"We have greatly appreciated the privacy granted to our family since Betty's illness was shared and are hoping it continues at this difficult time," the Fox family said in statement.

Reactions pour in

B.C. Premier Christy Clark referred to Betty Fox as a "great Canadian" who "embodied all the qualities that as British Columbians we admire."

Heritage Minister James Moore said Betty Fox was a "pillar of support" for her son during his cross-Canada run and that she continued the spirit of Terry's fight against cancer.

As a young bone cancer survivor with an artificial leg, Terry Fox won hearts with his run across Canada to raise money and awareness about the disease. His goal was to persuade every Canadian to donate one dollar to the cause.

His 1980 "Marathon of Hope" was halted near Thunder Bay, Ont., as he suffered a recurrence of the disease.

Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981, but not before becoming, at that time, the youngest person ever to be awarded the Order of Canada.

B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix said "from Terry's Marathon of Hope to expanding his legacy through the Terry Fox Foundation, Betty always carried herself with quiet determination and dignity."

Rick Hansen, Canada's Man in Motion, said Betty Fox was a "remarkable woman, who will be sorely missed. Her enthusiasm and compassion were infectious, and her tireless dedication to pursuing Terry's dream inspired millions to believe in a world without cancer."

Betty and her other son, Darrell, set up and ran the Terry Fox Foundation following his death, raising more than $550 million for cancer research in 28 countries through the foundation's annual Terry Fox Runs. The first run was held on Sept. 13, 1981.

Betty Fox quit her job in order to travel the world, listen to the stories of other cancer sufferers and advocate on her son's behalf for increased research funding.

In 2007, Fox had her hair shorn during the Fox Family Head Shave, the opening event of the Terry Fox at Work Day fundraising initiative.

Betty Fox was chosen as one of the Canadian flag bearers in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Recently, Fox had been working with Vancouver artist Douglas Coupland on a project to redesign the memorial to her son outside BC Place in downtown Vancouver.

The tile archway that was erected in the early 1980s is being replaced with a memorial that will include four bronze statues of the one-legged runner from Port Coquitlam, B.C. The sculptures will show Terry Fox's signature hop-and-run style in stop-action steps.

On June 3, media reports suggested that Betty Fox was suffering from cancer.

But a statement released by the Terry Fox Foundation later that day clarified that she was seriously ill, but not with cancer.

She is survived by her husband, Rolly, and her children Darrell, Fred and Judy.

Can get back to business after Davis' release, US to Pak

The US has made it clear that it can 'get back to business' with Pakistan after the release of suspected CIA contractor Raymond Davis, whose arrest in Lahore on murder charges for gunning down two men has become a major irritant in bilateral ties.


During meetings with Pakistan's top leadership yesterday, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman said Washington wanted the immediate release of Davis and that there would be no business as usual until the matter is resolved.

'I'm confident that we can resolve this (Davis) problem and once we do we can get back to business...we can build the relationship between the US and Pakistan,' Grossman said during an interaction with a group of journalists last night.

Grossman repeatedly said the US administration wanted the immediate release of Davis, who was arrested in Lahore on 27 January after he shot dead two armed men he claimed were trying to rob him.

Police rejected Davis' claim of acting in self defence and booked him for murder.

The matter was complicated following reports in western media that Davis was a security contractor working for the CIA.

Separately, reports said the two men Davis killed were operatives of the ISI.

Pakistan's leadership, facing pressure from religious groups, has rebuffed US demands to free Davis and said that his case will be settled by the courts.

The Obama administration continues to insist that Davis should be freed, even though the US needs Pakistan's help for the military campaign in Afghanistan as well as a negotiated settlement in that war-torn country.

Grossman said Pakistan and the US need to remove the 'irritant' of Davis' arrest from their relationship and reminded the Pakistani leadership that both countries 'are best served when we stand together'.

Emphasising the importance of the two sides working in consonance, Grossman said this was also crucial for restoring peace in Afghanistan through a negotiated solution and ensuring stability in the region.

Even as Grossman said Pakistan and the US wanted a mutually beneficial relationship that could enable Pakistan to become stable, democratic and prosperous by freeing itself from extremist violence, he stressed that the real challenge was to determine what constituted the 'mutual interest' that could form the basis of enduring ties.

He said his discussions with Pakistani interlocutors 'underscores...the central point and that is the relationship is based on mutual interest and the challenge obviously is to find that mutual interest, we have to identify that and we are clearly on that'.

Referring to Afghanistan, Grossman called for Pakistan's support for the Afghan-led reconciliation process but one that joined 'both the US and Pakistan' -- an apparent indication that Washington would not accept any move by Islamabad to back groups like the Haqqani network in efforts to find a solution.

In his meetings with Pakistani leaders, Grossman said he had noted the link between the insurgency in Afghanistan and terrorist safe havens in Pakistan's tribal belt and demanded the eradication of these sanctuaries.
The Afghan reconciliation process relies on Pakistan 'taking decisive action' against the Taliban's activities from Pakistani territory, he said.

During their meetings with Grossman, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sought to quell tensions with the US over the arrest of Davis and said the two countries should focus on long-term strategic ties and restoring confidence and trust in key areas, including intelligence sharing.