Betty Jo O'Brien named Remarkable Women finalist

We now turn the spotlight to one of this year's remarkable women finalists, Betty Jo O'Brien. 22 News reporter Kayleigh Thomas sat down with O'Brien to hear how she turned personal tragedy into purpose. Nick and Sarah, when O'Brien's U.S. Air Force veteran son developed brain cancer, her world collapsed. But from that darkness, she became an advocate, a caregiver, and a leader. In the fall of 2013, a mother of three, Betty Jo O'Brien, found out that her oldest son, Kevin, was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 23 years old, which eventually led him to retire as a U.S. Air Force senior airman. When I first had seen Kevin in the hospital, we were told that he wasn't even going to survive that night. Kevin underwent surgery, which left him to only breathe and swallow. 105 days of staying in Boston hospitals followed, where he got specialized care and treatment before coming home. I knew that I was going to have to stay with him. He was in such a dire condition. All I had really was my mom's support. But hospital policy didn't allow families to stay overnight for long periods. That's when Betty Jo called the nearest Fisher House in which military veteran families stay, only to learn it was full. I didn't want to take no for an answer, and I wanted help. That persistence helped launch the Fisher House Boston Hotels for Heroes program. When a house is unavailable, the program arranges a hotel room for eligible families at no cost. As of 2024, the program has delivered more than 26,000 nights to 4,100 families, saving them over $9.5 million. At age 50, she enrolled at HCC to pursue getting her associate's degree in business administration. I was taking care of Kevin full time, so I would end my day at 10 o'clock at night, and I would go online and do my online classes. She is the most remarkable woman to me. She later went on to study for her bachelor's at Bay Path University. During that time, she was a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society and helped pass a law that prohibits people under 18 from using tanning beds. She also raised awareness and funding for research and patient programs in this role and through Relay for Life. As a caregiver fellow for Massachusetts with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and having served seven years in the Air Force Reserve at Westover Air Reserve Base from 1989 until January 1996, she also testified before lawmakers on Capitol Hill. After seeing Kevin was excluded from receiving his benefits from the VA caregiver program, she urged for expansion of the program to include veterans battling serious illnesses, not just catastrophic injuries. It was very humbling, but I was very proud that I was able to be able to use my voice that way. A Patriot scholarship given to caregivers helped cover her full tuition for an MBA from Colorado Technical University at age 55. Today she works as a senior center director in Barry, where she continues to lead and inspire. She is also finishing up her memoir titled Scars and Miracles to help others who might be on a similar journey. Give them hope and see that they can overcome what they're going through. And in May, her memoir will be released. Working for you, Kaylee Thomas, 22 News.