Bettina passed away this morning in the hospital she knew, where she worked for many years as a Pharmacy Technician. The first thing I will say, is that she was not a complainer. She would always come to work - even though she might not feel her best, to do the job that she loved. She was proud of her profession, and this was one of her ways of being strong.
I remember Bettina as a person who was always smiling, always cheerful, always with a good word to say about others. She suffered from CF all her life, yet despite this, she still found the time to talk to younger people also with the condition to offer them hope.
This includes those at WVU Children's Hospital, where she was an inspiration.
(See MEDIA below, article 1)
Although she was a little under 5 feet tall, Bettina was a fighter and a champion. She continuously strived to do her best setting very high standards for herself. At times she would even outperform against the able-bodied.
In October 1995, she wrote an article for CF Network, entitled Get Physical. In it she stated "I hate to sweat!" Describing the time whilst still at college, when her condition took a turn for the worse, she recounts how she made the decision to fight back and take charge of her life.
MEDIA below, article 2).
Well, she did fight back and not long afterwards went on to gain her degree in Marketing, at WVWC (West Virginia Wesleyan College).
(Click here for website of WVWC)
Over the twenty years that followed, she kept up her rigorous routine of excerise, and followed all instructions from her medical consultants implicitly. She continued to be optimistic about a cure for CF.
I am pleased that I introduced my husband to her at Ruby, whilst she waited to be admitted. They chatted for quite a while and she seemed happy. In a way she introduced us, because she encouraged me to look for him.
Only during her last days, just before the operation from which the never awoke, did she admit to me that she was scared.
I never saw my friend again. Ever.
Sadly, Bettina won't be able to continue the fight against CF, but you can help by taking up her cause. Visit the CFF (Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) and help make a difference in a child's life - today.
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