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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, December 11, 2015 | 10 `This time, the tears were mine' -- Stephanie's dad by Bob Mitchell Special to the Beaver Growing up, initially on the east coast and then in Oakville, Stephanie Betts lived life to the fullest. She played sports. She volunteered. She had tons of friends. Then she and her family received the worst news possible. She had cancer, a rare form of brain cancer. On Nov. 16, 2014, Stephanie, 23, died under palliative care at home. It was a traumatic time for parents Bob and Barbara and her younger brother Brian. To honour her memory, the Betts are participating in this year's Doves of Hope celebration Wednesday (Dec. 16) at Princess Margaret Hospital. Bob said it was difficult to tell his daughter's story after they were approached by Princess Margaret Hospital to help promote the Dove campaign (dovesofhope.ca). "As a parent, you just don't know what to do," he said, noting Stephanie felt the community was important and volunteering was important." Her story is featured on the Dove campaign website. In it, Bob recalls how he used to rock his infant daughter to sleep when she wasn't feeling well, sometimes crying in pain from an ear infection. "Two decades later I lay beside my little girl, her brain riddled with cancer," Bob said. "With the same awe I felt as a new dad, I held her close as I listened to her peacefully sleeping. "But this time, the tears were mine." Last year, nearly 10,000 doves were dedicated with donations to honour loved ones and, so far, more than 11,000 doves are being strung across the Toronto hospital's atrium. "It's important to support the work that goes on at Princess Margaret Hospital," Stephanie's father Bob said. "The Doves of Stephanie Betts Hope campaign allows family and friends to dedicate a dove in the memory of a loved one. It provides some comfort and hope. "It's quite an inspiring visual display." This is the first time the Betts have participated in the ceremony, but they recall seeing thousands of doves strung across the Atrium last year when Stephanie was undergoing treatment at the hospital. The doves fly in a display of hope and strength for cancer patients and their families, organizers said. Each dove represents one person and their story with hope that funding cancer research will eventually conquer it in our lifetime. Stephanie required specialized treatment, but the Betts say they were fortunate to be able to take advantage of what Princess Margaret Hospital was able to offer. "She lived a vibrant, healthy life until she suddenly became ill," her father said. "She was very active and loved riding horses. She participated in equestrian competitions. "It was her passion. She very much enjoyed show jumping as a teenager and a young adult." Stephanie was 22 when she started suffering stomach pains in the summer of 2013 and then experienced double vision in November. After undergoing an MRI they were advised to take her immediately to Emergency. About a week later, she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that typically shows up in young children, but can emerge between the ages of 22-25. "It just came out of nowhere," her father said. "There was no history of it... But the news just kept getting worse and worse." After her initial diagnosis, Stephanie's determination to beat cancer grew after she met Dr. Warren Mason, a world-leading brain cancer specialist, and medical director of the Pencer Brain Tumour Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital. Unfortunately, her cancer was very aggressive and surgery wasn't an option. She began radiation and chemotherapy treatment. The cancer eventually spread to her spine and when it was determined that chemo wasn't working, she came home under palliative care. "Our wonderful daughter is gone, but there are thousands of others who desperately need a ray of hope to hang onto," Bob said. Stephanie attended Robert Glen and St. Mildred's Lightbourn elementary schools before graduating from Abbey Park High School. She graduated with a political science degree from the University of Guelph and was about to enter Veterinarian College when she was diagnosed. Last summer a fundraising event was held at Vector Equestrian Farms in Puslinch where she trained. The proceeds were given to Princess Margaret Hospital. The Betts family, along with friends also created a scholarship in Stephanie's memory for third and fourth year students enrolled in bio-medical science at the University of Guelph. with Purchase of Prescription Lenses Oakville's experts in eye Care: Denise pala, niCky pala & mike mCGrath use Promo code 104030 stoRe wide sale novembeR 27- deCembeR 23 Holiday Special designeR fRames 25%off *reg. price *reg. price *Offer cannOt be cOmbined , prOmO excludes certain brands . please check stOre fOr details. Free aNTi reFLecTioN ($90 VaLue)* RegulaR line fRames 50%off a wide variety Of deSigner BrandS: · armaNi · Versace · marc JacoBs · Juicy couTure · Tory Burch · ray BaN · carrera · coach & more... 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