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The Bobbi Olson Fund



The Arizona Cancer Center, with the support of Coach Olson, his wife Christine, and the entire Olson family, has established The Bobbi Olson Fund to support research and treatment for women’s cancers. Proceeds from the fund go directly to the Center’s Division of Women’s Cancers, which is dedicated to discovering new treatments for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, as well as other gynecological cancers.


“We feel it’s so important that Bobbi’s legacy stay alive and that we continue to support her dream of finding a cure for women’s cancers,” said Coach Olson.


Click here to donate to the Bobbi Olson Fund. For more information about The Bobbi Olson Fund, contact the Arizona Cancer Center Development Office at

1-800-327-CURE.


“My family and I believe in the dream of a nationally recognized Division of Women’s Cancers. We’re leading the charge to raise money to make this dream a reality.”


                                                                                 ~Lute Olson



Bobbi's Story



In 1997, the University of Arizona Men’s Basketball Team won the national championship. A dream had come true for the Wildcats, their fans, Coach Lute Olson, and his wife Bobbi, who was there to celebrate the victory with him and the team. Bobbi had become a substitute mom for the players, inviting them to her home and traveling with them to games—always there to offer a smile and unconditional support.

       

The next summer while she and Lute were on vacation in Hungary, Bobbi underwent emergency surgery and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Her family and friends, along with the Wildcats, began to focus on winning another battle: Bobbi’s fight with cancer. She was treated at the Arizona Cancer Center.

       

“Until Bobbi was diagnosed, we never knew the value of the Arizona Cancer Center,” says Coach Olson. “For us, it became an oasis, a place where we knew everything possible would be done to help Bobbi and our family through a very difficult time. Her oncologist, Dr. David Alberts, and the Center provided her with extraordinarily compassionate, state-of-the-art treatment.”


Throughout the next two basketball seasons, Bobbi continued to attend games while undergoing treatment. Although she was in remission at one point, the cancer returned, and on Jan. 1, 2001, she succumbed to a two-and-a-half-year battle with this devastating disease.



Memories of Bobbi



“Mom's biggest concern as she went through her own journey with cancer was about the other people who were also battling this disease.  Mom wanted to make sure that each person received the same great care and treatment that she received.  That was her dream and her legacy is to ensure that this becomes a reality.”

                                                                          ~Vicki Olson-Price, daughter


“One of my favorite memories of my grandmother is her look on life. No day was ever a bad day. No one was ever a bad person. She had so much love to give to every person she ever met. Everyone was her "favorite".

A loving memory of my Mama is when I would just talk to her. I could talk to her about my day, about my friends, about the sunset; it didn't matter. She would listen to every word I said. If I was upset or having a rough time, she would wink at me and always tell me it's not so bad and that things always work out in the end. She always helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

                                                                                     ~Katie Harris, grandchild



"When I was around 8 years old during a New Year's Eve party, I was watching and observing a serious Papa Lute as he watched our family members doing funky, made up dances with Great Grandma Russell and Mama Bobbi leading the way.  Eventually Papa not wanting to be left out began to encourage Mama Bobbi by putting dollar bills in her pockets.  Mama Bobbi was always the life of the party.


We always said Papa Lute is the best college basketball coach but...when it comes to grandkids, Mama Bobbi is the pro!”

                                                                                     ~Julie Brase, grandchild