On September 18 my friend and fellow cancer survivor Kim Hansard asked me to help out a young mother who has planned to rappel. Ashley Jordan (age 32) is a volunteer at Restoration House and after two years of building up the courage to participate she got the awful news we all fear. After signing up and raising over $385 dollars she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having a double mastectomy tomorrow (September 23).

I remember when I was diagnosed in January 2018 how it felt like being throw off a cliff, yet the world keeps moving. I was also concerned about my commitments, like my daughter's Girl Scout cookie sales and taking my DECA students to competition. Ashley wanted to make sure the charity she volunteers at and committed to help would get support.

It is a small world, because Ashley was a student at Powell High School when I taught there with her sister-in-law. I also love Disney references since I met my husband of twenty years working at the Pirates of Caribbean gift shop when I participated in the college program. 

Just like Restoration House helps women, Ashley and I want to help women know the importance of early detection. Even if you cannot donate please share the importance of early detection. I wish I would have gone on my 40th birthday to get a mammogram, instead I found a lump 9 months later. I was Stage 2B at diagnosis, which meant 8 rounds of chemo, 28 rounds of radiation, and 5 surgeries. Ashley is 8 years away from the recommended age for a baseline mammogram. It can happen to everyone (even men).

Friends! Will you help me go "Over the Edge" of the 16-story Trotter Building, at 625 Market Street in downtown Knoxville, all to help low-income single mothers and their children on September 28th?
There is also a free street level Block Party that same day to enjoy with games, activities, and prizes to win. Bring your family, friends, and cheer me as I go Over the Edge!