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Not long ago I was having lunch with a friend and was brought to tears because of hurt, anger and disappointment. I had been trying to line up stories for Fox16 News about colon cancer and young people.  Last year I interviewed 26 year-old Emily Williams from Searcy.  She was dealing with stage 4 colon cancer and I was captivated by her.  She was bright, upbeat and uplifting in so many ways.  During the interview, she was all smiles — even as she went through chemotherapy treatment.  I liked her so much that I asked if she’d be willing to be a participant in a promo we created at the station showcasing our annual Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer event.  Weeks later, there she was — front and center — at the annual event.  I really liked Emily a lot.

This non-profit organization I created raises money for liquid nutritional supplements for cancer survivors — a much needed source of nourishment to, among other things, help repair damaged cells caused by cancer and its associated treatments.  We also pay for free yoga four times a month for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers at the Carti Cancer Facility — and participants don’t even have to have a connection to any of the Carti doctors.  They can just come and do yoga, enjoy and relax.

As our 5th annual event drew closer I wanted to do a follow up story on Emily.  A 2017 American Cancer Society study showed the number of young people between 20 and 54 dying from colon cancer has been on the rise since the mid 2000’s.  Emily, now 27, would be a perfect example of a young person determined to beat this disease.  I quickly learned that Emily had passed away last December.

My heart broke.  I got the message right before it was time to anchor a newscast and for a moment I didn’t think I was going to be able to get through it.

I tracked down Emily’s dad and spoke with him the next day.  I’m part of the club no one wants to be in – parents who have lost a child to colon cancer.   Even as a club member, I barely knew what to say to him.  Finally, I told him I just wanted him to know that I cared.  He was gracious and told me how much Emily enjoyed being associated with Yoga Warriors and Fox 16.  We talked about Emily for quite some time.

The day I was brought to tears at lunch with my friend was a day or two after I found out about Emily’s death.  I was hurt because we lost another young person to this awful disease – disappointed because I won’t see her again and angry because with all the work we put into Yoga Warriors we can’t save young people like Emily.  My friend who was sitting across the table reminded me that we — Yoga Warriors — are making a difference.  We’re saving – some of them – because the organization raises awareness that you’re never too young to get colon cancer and to pay attention to changes in your body.  We preach that message as often as possible.  We talk about the warning signs and tell people young and old that you should never take your health for granted. Pay attention to changes in your body and don’t be afraid to see a doctor.  Get a second opinion if what you’re hearing doesn’t add up.

I am still hurt that we lost Emily, I am also hurt we lost another young person, Jessica Flanigin-West last August — and of course I will forever grieve my daughter, Queah’s death from colon cancer.   But I will take this hurt, anger and disappointment and keep trying to turn it into a positive.  Hopefully the next time I write a story about this issue it will not be about a young life cut short — but one that was saved through awareness.

Learn about us at www.yogawarriors.org