The name Rebecca Schofield has become far more than just a name in her home province of New Brunswick; it is a global call to action for empathy. Known affectionately as Becca, she was an eighteen-year-old girl who faced a terminal brain cancer diagnosis with a level of grace that few adults could muster. In late 2016, when the medical news turned grim, Rebecca Schofield chose to use her remaining time not for self-pity, but to challenge the world to be better. Her simple request for people to perform random acts of kindness sparked the #BeccaToldMeTo movement, a digital phenomenon that proved even the smallest gesture can create a tidal wave of change.
The Early Battle of Rebecca Schofield
Long before she was a household name, Rebecca Schofield was a vibrant, witty student at Riverview High School. Her life changed forever in 2015 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 15. She endured rounds of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with a “wicked awesome” attitude—a phrase she famously used to describe her outlook. Unfortunately, in December 2016, doctors discovered two new inoperable tumors. It was then that Rebecca Schofield was told she had only months to live.
This moment of tragedy became the birthplace of a miracle. Rather than withdrawing, Rebecca Schofield took to her Facebook page, “Becca’s Battle with Butterscotch,” and asked her followers for a favor. She didn’t want money or gifts; she wanted kindness. She asked people to do something nice for someone else and post it with the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo. She hoped to see a few dozen posts; instead, she ignited a global revolution.
The Global Expansion of #BeccaToldMeTo
The movement started by Rebecca Schofield quickly outgrew the small town of Riverview. Within weeks, the hashtag was trending globally. From Australia to Japan, people were buying coffee for strangers, shoveling snow for neighbors, and donating to shelters, all under the banner of Rebecca Schofield. The campaign’s simplicity was its strength; it gave people “permission” to be kind in an often cynical world.
Even national leaders joined the cause. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to social media to acknowledge the bravery of Rebecca Schofield, praising her commitment to community and volunteerism. For Becca, the fame was never the goal. She often remarked that she was simply a “regular teen” who wanted to leave the world a little brighter than she found it. The sheer volume of good deeds performed in her name provided her with immense comfort during her final months.
Official Recognition and Becca Schofield Day
As the impact of her work grew, official institutions began to honor Rebecca Schofield for her extraordinary contributions. She was posthumously awarded the Order of New Brunswick, the province’s highest honor. The citation noted how she had encouraged an entire population to “dream big” and prioritize compassion above all else. Furthermore, she received the Meritorious Service Decoration from the Governor General of Canada.
Perhaps the most lasting tribute is the official designation of the third Saturday in September as Becca Schofield Day in New Brunswick. Every year, this day serves as a formal reminder to the public to carry out Becca’s mission. It is a day where schools, businesses, and individuals dedicate their time to service, ensuring that the lessons taught by Rebecca Schofield are passed down to new generations.
The Rebecca Schofield All World Super Play Park
The legacy of Rebecca Schofield is literally built into the ground of her hometown. After her passing in February 2018, the community rallied to create a space that reflected her inclusive nature. The result was the Rebecca Schofield All World Super Play Park, a massive, fully accessible playground in Riverview.
This park was designed so that children of all physical abilities could play together without barriers. It stands as a physical manifestation of Becca’s belief that everyone deserves to feel included and cared for. During the fundraising process, thousands of people contributed, often citing the #BeccaToldMeTo movement as their inspiration. Today, the park is a joyful landmark where the laughter of children serves as a living tribute to Rebecca Schofield.
Advocating for “Secret Superheroes”
A deeply personal mission for Rebecca Schofield was the promotion of blood donation. Having received many transfusions that improved her quality of life and allowed her more time at home with her family, she became a vocal advocate for Canadian Blood Services. She famously called blood donors “secret superheroes.”
To this day, her mother, Anne Schofield, continues to host blood drives in Becca’s memory. Recent reports from 2024 and 2025 show that these clinics remain packed with donors, many of whom are giving for the first time because of Becca’s story. By framing the act of donation as a heroic gift of life, Rebecca Schofield helped bridge the gap between medical need and community action, saving countless lives long after her own journey ended.
The Rebecca Schofield Fund
To help others facing the same “black cloud” of cancer, the Rebecca Schofield Fund was established in partnership with the Moncton Hospital Foundation. This endowment helps patients cover the hidden costs of cancer treatment, such as transportation, groceries, and unexpected bills. Rebecca Schofield knew firsthand the financial and emotional toll of the disease, and she wanted to ensure that others felt a little less alone during their struggle.
The fund encourages donors to “Smile in Becca’s Name,” continuing her tradition of finding light in the darkness. It is an enduring resource that provides practical help to thousands of oncology patients every year, further cementing the status of Rebecca Schofield as a champion for the vulnerable.
Conclusion
The story of Rebecca Schofield is a testament to the fact that no life is too short to change the world. In the face of a devastating illness, she chose to focus on the power of the human heart. Through #BeccaToldMeTo, she created a language of kindness that continues to be spoken across the globe. Her legacy lives on in the blood that saves lives, the parks where children play, and the millions of small, daily acts of compassion that happen because she dared to ask. Rebecca Schofield proved that while a person can be taken by a disease, a movement of kindness is immortal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Rebecca Schofield and why is she famous?
Rebecca Schofield was a Canadian teenager from New Brunswick who became a global icon after launching the #BeccaToldMeTo kindness movement while battling terminal brain cancer.
2. What does the #BeccaToldMeTo movement encourage?
The movement encourages people to perform random acts of kindness for others and share those experiences on social media to inspire a chain reaction of goodwill.
3. When is Becca Schofield Day celebrated?
In New Brunswick, Becca Schofield Day is officially celebrated every year on the third Saturday of September to honor her legacy of compassion.
4. What is the Rebecca Schofield All World Super Play Park?
It is a fully accessible, inclusive playground in Riverview, New Brunswick, built in memory of Rebecca Schofield to ensure children of all abilities can play together.
5. How did Rebecca Schofield contribute to blood donation awareness?
She advocated for blood donation by calling donors “secret superheroes,” highlighting how transfusions gave her more quality time with her family and encouraging others to donate to save lives.
