At my friend Isse Waddey’s funeral, she chose a colleague to give her eulogy. She mentored him at Life Point Hospital in her role as President of her division. He laughed as he told a story of her exacting standards. He sent her a draft memo to be sent to a wide audience and when giving him constructive feedback said “Bert, this font you chose, says ‘I don’t care.’ Change it to Book Antiqua, 12 point, blue, that font says ‘we know what we are doing.’” My font is in her honor. She was 42 when diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Less than two years later, she lost her fight leaving her husband Alex and their three young children.

Isse asked us to do two things. First, talk to your doctor about any changes in your bowel habits and then be your advocate. She knew something was wrong for quite some time and her symptoms were downplayed as the stress of a young female executive raising children and nothing to worry about. Colon cancer when caught early is highly curable.

Second, she started the Get Your Rear in Gear 5k supporting the Colon Cancer Coalition and she was able to join us in its inaugural year. Baker Donelson Nashville is sponsoring the event this year and I would love for you to join us.

-Christy Tosh Crider