At age 73, retired advertising executive Mike Fillichio was trying to enjoy life following a high-speed, high pressure career. But there was a problem: his hip hurt. His years playing football and baseball at the University of Michigan teamed up with decades of tennis, golf, work and normal wear and tear to make bone grind against bone. It hurt.

Jamie Gentry had been bothered by hip pain for years. She remembers her hip hurting when she played high school soccer in Grayson, Ga. It hurt when she married her husband, David, and when they moved to Comer.

Two years ago, Oconee High School English teacher Sally Baker suffered a stroke that left her partially paralyzed and unable to walk or talk. One year ago, Sally created and completed the Next Step 5K, a 3.1-mile walk to raise awareness of stroke and support for St. Mary’s stroke programs.

Gibson Williams is two years old. Like most boys his age, Gibson is growing and changing every day. He loves to bang on drums, hang out with his grandpa, and help take care of his new baby sister. So what makes Gibson special? He was born with half a heart.

At first glance, Bob Fecho does not look like your “typical cardiac patient.” He is 59 years old and looks ten years younger. He follows a healthy diet, at times eating strictly vegan, and he exercises on a regular basis.
...“Both of my parents suffered heart attacks in their sixties, so the family history is there,”

On Jan. 2, 2011, Doris Cleghorn was looking forward to going to Gainesville with her daughter for an appointment her daughter had there. True, she felt a little tired and short of breath as they left Athens, but she figured she had simply over-exerted herself during the holidays.

Carol Schimmel’s personality radiates through a room. After just one short chat over a cup of tea you walk away with a hug and a new friend. Her positivity is positively refreshing.

At 80 years old, Jeri Graves is active and independent. The matriarch of her family, Jeri spent over 30 years in management with BellSouth, then went on to have second and even third careers post-retirement. Jeri is not one to settle down.

When Jack Bauerle isn’t poolside coaching the University of Georgia swim squad, chances are you’ll find him on the tennis court, planning his next big surfing trip, or playing half-court basketball with his buddies.

On Jan. 3, 2010, 12th grade English teacher Sally Baker and her husband, Brad, learned they were expecting a baby. Happily envisioning their family of three, Sally and Brad started hunting for baby names.

At 73 years old, Del Hicks considers himself to be medically fortunate. He enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle. He takes his grandchildren to school each morning and always has a fishing trip to look forward to or housework to be done.

Jill and Jackson Michael have a beautiful family. Their triplets – Jack, Gabriel and Isabella – celebrated their first birthday this spring. It’s hard to imagine, looking at their family, that becoming parents wasn’t easy for the Michaels.