Ted Foreman

In 1951, when he was just 18 years old, Ted Foreman met Heather, the young lady who would become his wife. Five year later, Ted and Heather were married and in time four children came along.

The Foreman family enjoyed a wonderful life together until October of 1992 when Heather was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer. For 16 months, with the support of family and friends, Heather fought the disease. Sadly, on January 19, 1994, with her family and best friend at her side, Heather passed away. She was 57 years old.

With Heather’s passing, to honour her memory, Ted and his family established the Heather Foreman Memorial Fund in support of the Victoria General Hospital’s new Cancer Centre, which at the time was in the early planning stages.

In 2005, Ted retired from a 42-year career at Investors Group. At Ted’s request, in lieu of holding a retirement party, Investors Group invited friends and co-workers to make donations to Heather’s memorial fund. Investors Group was very supportive of the plan, making an initial contribution of $2,500 and matching every donation made by present and past employees. They initiated a vast mailing to Ted’s clients, associates and friends across Canada and the USA, sharing Ted’s idea of a “non” party retirement celebration.

The response to date has been amazing – more than 300 donations totaling over $47,000 have been received and they are still coming in. These funds will be used for a private treatment room dedicated to Heather in the new Cancer Centre, which is now under construction.

Ted continues to take a leadership role at the Vic as a member of the VGH Foundation Board of Directors. Not only does Ted encourage others to donate to the Vic or their favourite charity, he always leads by example. He gives generously to the Vic and steadfastly supports his causes year after year.