I am very sad to inform you that we at the American Cancer Society have lost an incredible national volunteer last weekend - - Mary Beth Reddell of Midland, Texas
Mary Beth Reddell was an incredible volunteer leader for American Airlines since they became a Relay For Life National Team Program company 4 years ago. As a cancer survivor her personal quest to build teams at AA was on the road traveling talking to the hubs and dedicating her own efforts in North Tarrant county at her local Relay. She has been to 3 National Relay Summits filling the group with her Relay spirit! Her cancer treatments slowed her down from direct participation at our national event these past couple years, but her on the ground work with AA teams at an all time high of 112 teams! On our national conference calls her sharing of fundraising at AA was always so animated and with such enthusiasm it made everyone want to implement an "Executive Idol" at their own company.
But it was her strength and positve outlook & spirit from her journal on her Care Page that truly motivated me as an athlete to dedicate my 3 marathons this past year raising money through ACS DetermiNation in her honor. She and her mom have supported my efforts with words of strenght & donations and even now after we have lost her on this earth, she continues to raise money for North Tarrant County on her facebook page and donation page for Relay where her goal of $5000 will be made!.
It is because of Heroes like Mary Beth that fuel me to fight cancer and be proud that every day I work for an organization that puts its best foot forward to make progress against this disease so that we can help more people celebrate more birthdays and continue the fight!
I will be working with Kathy Fairbanks on some additional ways we can honor Mary Beth - but please take a moment, say a prayer, and honor an amazing national volunteer leader,
"God saw you were getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you
And whispered 'come to me'
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands now rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.“
(shared in MB’s service brochure)
My story is very simple. I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 41. I didn't have the trendy cancer - I had an old people disease! IT was in my colon, abdomen, and liver - they said there was no cure and gave me a "pat" on the head dismissing me - as if they assumed I was going to die. That made me very angry - as I thought God was the only one who knew when the time would come for me to go. That was almost 4-1/2 years ago. I've had six major surgeries. Countless chemos and radiation. I've fought it off 4 times and its back again for another round. This time its in my lung and back in the liver. I'm giving it all I have and with the love of my friends and family - I will win the fight. This fight also gave me the chance to connect with the American Cancer Society and I am a Hero of Hope, a spokesperson for ACS and the Relay for Life. Having cancer changed my life, and through my struggles I have been blessed with all of you.
I share my story because I can, and through the circle of life, we all touch each other.
Woo Hoo! MB busted out of the hospital
Posted May 6, 2010 5:12pm
No more chemo, no more drugs, no more pain! No more ugly, over-sized hospital gowns. She traded it all in for a healthy body and beautiful angel wings.
On Sunday, May 2 surrounded by close family and a few friends, Mary Beth completed her task on earth. The void left by her physical passing will be filled by the beautiful, precious memories that she left with all who were blessed to have known her.
Her faith in God, courage, grace, determination, positive attitude, and undying spirit carried her far beyond the original prognosis.
(posted by her mom)
Mary Beth - you are my HERO - I will miss you terribly. :(
