When I was sixteen months old, I started an amazing journey.  My pediatrician found a lump on my left kidney that turned out to be a large Wilm’s Tumor.  Doctors had to remove my kidney. I  received chemotherapy and radiation until I was four. I wanted to be a normal kid but I was often sick and needed more surgeries.

I got decent grades in elementary school, checks in talking, and enough love and friendships to help me flourish.  But in Junior High, when the other kids started to grow, I stayed tiny and petite.  Then I noticed a curve in my spine – the first sign of radiation damage.  I developed pains and numbness in my leg.  These became more frequent in high school.  Still, I played soccer and was involved in everything allowed. I was even voted mascot on the cheerleading squad – “Ralph.”   These were the best years of my life! 

After graduation, I enrolled in the radio and television program at Amarillo College where I could use my love and knowledge of music.  I did Body & Soul on KACV-FM 90, and became an Intern at KQIZ-Z93.

In March 1991, when the pain became too much, an orthopedic surgeon used a rib and part of my fibula to fuse my damaged vertebra. In the days after surgery, my system disintegrated. I was septic, I weighed 72 pounds, and I was dying.  It would be 6 painful months before I could leave the hospital.  Then I had several surgeries to “Southern Engineer” my digestive system.  My husband John says I went in a 5-speed, and came out a 4-speed…but I’m still in the RACE! 

Now I have my dream job playing Hip Hop and R&B on the radio in Amarillo. I love using my 100,000 Watt voice to change the community, and speak for those without a voice.  I live for family and friends, Dallas Cowboy games, music, mixed martial arts, and my radio station 93.1 The Beat! 

From the time doctors removed the cancer until last year when I was given several units for my radiated bleeding ulcer, one factor made this equation possible: over sixty units of blood – red life from local blood donors. I was given the gift of hope, the gift of another chance, the gift of life.

To each of the people who took an hour out of their lives to add another year to mine…Thank you! I’ll always be grateful.