Inspirational advocate for helping others and fighting canine cancer receives Honorary Doctorate at University of Guelph
Blues was more than a loving Golden Retriever and companion animal. He was a guiding light, a beacon of hope and an inspiration for a meaningful movement to fight canine cancer. Suzi Beber welcomed the golden bundle of fluff into heart and home after unexpected complications from routine surgery and anesthesia left her with serious injuries in the mid-1990s. A former high school teacher and vice-principal, Beber was faced with overcoming severe physical and emotional challenges associated with the aftermath from the surgery – a period of time in her life she may not have made it through without Blues, she says.
“I don’t know if the word ‘inspiring’ is the right word to describe my bond with Blues,” Beber says. “The saying ‘as one door closes, another opens’ comes to mind. Blues allowed me to step over the first threshold of the reality of my new life after my traumatic brain injury. Together, we opened many doors. He changed my life.”
Unfortunately, Beber lost her beloved Blues in 2001, after an eight-month battle with lymphoma at the young age of six. To honour his memory, and in gratitude for the care he received at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), Beber created the Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund, which supports OVC Pet Trust’s quest to find more and better ways to deal with and understand the complex and devastating disease.
What began as a heartbreaking loss and a $1,000 donation to OVC Pet Trust in memory of Blues in 2001, has grown into an extensive community of Smiling Blue Skies supporters and grassroots initiatives across Canada that have raised more than $1.6 million.
This year, Beber received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Guelph (UofG) during winter convocation in recognition of her passionate commitment and tremendous support of cancer research and care at the OVC.
“I needed to turn my love and loss into something positive. I wanted to help others who would travel the same road as we had,” Beber shared during her convocation address at the UofG on February 18.
“Suzi has actively and passionately organized and coordinated fundraising functions across the country for 15 years while enhancing public awareness of the work Pet Trust does,” says Chip Coombs, Chair of the Pet Trust board. “Her passion, dedication and concern for the well-being of people, their pets, and the bond that connects the two, are inspirational. This special occasion provides us an opportunity to honour a truly remarkable woman and her contributions to advancements in canine cancer research.”
Beber’s support has helped OVC advance cancer research and treatment through a number of initiatives including: development of Canada’s first cancer registry for companion animals; much needed equipment for veterinary oncologists at the Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer; funding of a clinical trials coordinator position at UofG’s Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation, supporting more than a dozen new trials; validation of a blood test to diagnose hemangiosarcoma, a highly aggressive cancer; as well as investigating novel cancer treatments and approaches through research.
In 2013, Beber was presented with a Canadian Diamond Jubilee medal by the Governor-General. Her commitment and tireless contributions of thousands of volunteer hours have been instrumental in advancing the work of OVC scientists and enabling veterinarians to help companion animals with cancer.
“We feel so fortunate that Pet Trust and the Ontario Veterinary College are the recipients of Suzi’s support,” says OVC Dean Jeffrey Wichtel. “The kind of generosity she exemplifies has helped animals affected by cancer live more comfortable lives and enabled groundbreaking research aimed at discovering new ways to diagnose and treat canine cancer; research which may also lead to benefits in human health.”
While addressing the graduating class, Beber reminded the audience of the importance of giving back; of not taking anything for granted and to follow their dreams – all lessons she has learned over the course of her journey.
“It is so important to be happy every day, to dream a little every day and to realize if you dream it and work hard at it, you can do it.”