from the editor

The Spark Issue

I spent almost four decades arrogant that my family was cancer-free. The Big “C”?—Not a blemish, until now. Cancer waged war against my family, this year—one cell at a time.  My arrogance is now 6 feet under and my torch’s flame is aglow. Only through life’s grievances do we seem to move to action, and when cancer strikes, we are all affected the same way. Each tiny victory is a marching band celebration. Second chances are of lottery-winning proportions. And when the battle is lost, we are all left with the same hole in our heart, fighting hard to learn how to breathe again. I’m sorry to inform you that I only passengered a short way by bike  with “Cruisin’ for a Cause.” (There is next year). I did, however, hitch a ride with the caravan from Dallas to Knoxville (I lived in Dallas—an RV with air was not an unwise decision) and for me, every day reaffirmed our purpose as Lady Vol fans and cancer survivors arrived to share their stories.  I hope, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you’ll hop on  my new, shiny bandwagon with a renewed sense of passion for affecting change on cancer’s forefront. Don’t let your spark be extinguished. Light your own fire and lead the way.

~janet

testermanj@skirtknoxville.com