Remembering Survivorship Leader Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark, PhD
Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH
We at NCCS are devastated to report the passing of Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark on Saturday, May 23, 2020.Betsy was a true champion for cancer survivors. Her leadership, service, and contributions to NCCS and the field of cancer survivorship were vast. She was formerly Executive Vice President of NCCS, and the COO for THE MARCH…Coming Together to Conquer Cancer, which culminated in a national rally in Washington, DC in September 1998 that brought more than 100,000 supporters to the National Mall.
She was the author or co-author of many NCCS publications and resources, such as the Cancer Survival Toolbox; Imperatives for Quality Cancer Care: Access, Advocacy, Action, and Accountability; You Have the Right to be Hopeful; Teamwork: The Cancer Patient’s Guide To Talking With Your Doctor; Self-Advocacy: A Cancer Survivor’s Handbook; and many others.
Betsy Clark (right) at THE MARCH in September 1998.
A social worker, she was the longtime CEO of the National Association of Social Workers from 2001-2013 and a board member of numerous non-profit organizations.Betsy described herself as a “hope advocate” after hearing from cancer survivors about their experiences. Her most recent book, published in 2017, was entitled Choose Hope (Always Choose Hope). A quote from her book:
We will share additional reflections on Dr. Clark’s legacy in the coming days.
If you wish to share a remembrance of Betsy, please do so in the comment section below.
Link to Elizabeth J. Clark’s Obituary »
Elizabeth J. Clark (right) at an event in the early 90s with Then-NCCS President Ellen L. Stovall (left) and NCCS Co-Founder Fitzhugh Mullan (center).
