For Betty-Jo O’Brien, finding out her son, an Air Force veteran, had brain cancer was devastating.
Through the darkness, however, O’Brien stepped up to become an advocate for veterans, leading to a housing idea that has helped many veteran families when they need it the most.
In the fall of 2013, Betty-Jo’s world turned upside down when she learned her son, Kevin, had brain cancer. He was only 23 years old. Similar to his mom, Kevin had joined the Air Force, becoming a senior airman. But the cancer forced him into an early military retirement.
Following intense surgery, Kevin could only breathe and swallow. He faced a long rehab, spending 105 days in Boston hospitals receiving around-the-clock care. His mom rarely left his side.
“I knew I had to stay with him; he was in such dire condition,” O’Brien told WWLP.com.
“All I really had was my mom’s support,” Kevin said.
However, due to hospital policy, families couldn’t stay overnight for days on end. O’Brien phoned a local Fisher House, which provides lodging for active-duty military members and veteran families, but discovered there was no vacancy. Despite the setback, she was not deterred.
“I didn’t want to take no for an answer, and I wanted help,” she said.
So, the Air Force veteran rolled up her sleeves and started the Fisher House for Heroes Program, providing a free hotel room for veteran families when the Fisher House is at capacity. The program, launched nationally, has made a major impact in a short time. As of 2024, Fisher House for Heroes has given 4,100 families more than 26,500 nights, providing over $9.5 million in savings.
Path to Advocacy
Before starting the hotel program, O’Brien needed to ignite her entrepreneurial spirit. To learn the intricacies of businesses, O’Brien attended Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts, completing a business administration degree.
It was not easy.
“I was taking care of Kevin full time, so at 10:00 at night, I would go online and do my online classes,” she said.
Later, O’Brien obtained a bachelor’s degree from Bay Path University. When not in school and caring for her ailing son, O’Brien became a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society, helping pass a law prohibiting children under 18 from utilizing tanning beds. Through Relay for Life, O’Brien spread awareness about brain cancer, helping to fund research and programs for patients.
She also became involved with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, becoming a Caregiver Fellow in Massachusetts.
O’Brien served in the Air Force Reserve from 1989 to 1996. She was proud of her son’s path into the same branch, but when he became stricken with cancer, and it came time to for him to obtain Veterans Affairs benefits, she became frustrated. O’Brien took her angst to Capitol Hill, testifying before Congress to urge legislators to pass a law expanding the VA caregiver program to include veterans with serious illnesses, not only those with catastrophic injuries.
“It was very humbling, but I was very proud that I was able to use my voice in that way,” she said.
From there, she earned her master’s in business administration, receiving full tuition reimbursement through Colorado Technical University. O’Brien’s passion for caregiving led her to become a senior center director in Barre, Massachusetts.
If that wasn’t enough, the Air Force veteran is wrapping up her memoir, “Scars and Miracles,” which hits bookstores in May. Through her book, O’Brien hopes to help other families experiencing a similar situation.
“Give them hope and see that they can overcome what they are going through,” Kevin said.