It had been a routine night for St. Mary’s telephone operator Jeremiah Wiggs, but now something was wrong. He almost never had headaches, but he had developed a terrible one.

When Jack Tweedell of Buckhead came home after his second stroke, his life was looking pretty bleak. His doctor was suggesting assisted living. For a man who loved independence and the outdoors, it was a difficult time.

Visa Thompson of Monticello knows that the world doesn't stop when the doctor says, "You have breast cancer." The horses still have to be fed, the mortgage still has to be paid, you still want your children to go to college.

Madison County resident Donna West was certain she did not have breast cancer. Yes, there was a painful lump in her breast. Yes, her fiancé had been urging her to get it checked out. But she was strong, active, had no family history of cancer.

For Athenian Janie Bush, being inactive is not an option. So, as a grandmother who loves to garden and exercise, the disabling hip pain that was limiting her life quickly became intolerable.

Joy McCauley of Royston has tears in her eyes as she recalls seeing her husband walk again for the first time. She didn't know it would be possible.

James Lakeman of Greensboro puts it bluntly: “For a diabetic, a bag of fast food ought to have a skull and crossbones on it.” Tough words, but he ought to know: his father died from complications of diabetes and in May 2007.