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Reader's Choice, Winning Benefactors »

[8 May 2012 | One Comment]
Readers’ Choice: Laurie Willmott at Spirit Therapies – The Healing Power of Horses

Originally from Minnesota, Laurie grew up with a strong love for horses and children. She did not have her own horse until she was an adult but she had a dream that someday, somehow, she would be able to combine these two passions in such a way as to make a positive impact on the world.

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Winners Against The Odds, Winning Benefactors »

[31 Mar 2012 | 9 Comments]
Bonny Diver — From Cancer Victim to Caregiver

Although never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Bonny Diver’s horse gave her the best gift of all—the gift of a second chance at life. Bonny Diver is a well-known radio personality in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2003, she fell off her horse and broke her shoulder. While inspecting the damage, she happened to discover a robin’s egg-sized lump on her breast. “It put me in shock because every woman is warned about a “lump.” That means cancer, and cancer means death.”

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Reader's Choice, Winners Against The Odds »

[5 Mar 2012 | 8 Comments]
Readers Choice: Yogesh Pathak – Miracle Survivor Wages War on Cancer

Yogesh Pathak and his daughter Jhanavi are trying to make a substantial difference for those facing cancer. Both know first-hand how emotionally, physically and financially draining a cancer diagnosis is for both the patient and the caregiver. Born out of a teenage daughter’s love for her father and a father’s resolve to beat the odds, Jhanavi and Yogesh have created the soon-to-be 501(c)3 non-profit, The War on Cancer Foundation.

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Winning Citizens »

[17 Jan 2012 | 25 Comments]
Petty Officer 2nd Class Leon Doniphan — Without Hesitation

Petty Officer 2nd Class Leon Doniphan, a food service specialist aboard Cutter Alert in Astoria, Ore., poses for a photo in front of a Large Navigation Buoy on the Columbia River in Astoria. Doniphan swam to the aid of a young girl who was nearly swept underneath the buoy in September 2011. His actions most likely saved her life.

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Reader's Choice, Winners Against The Odds, Winning Youths »

[25 Dec 2011 | 41 Comments]
Readers Choice: Terry the Unstoppable

The morning of August 23rd, 2010 started as a beautiful summer day.  Terry’s mom, Terry, and Terry’s little sister Alayna were in Ohio visiting family and were only twenty minutes into their six hour drive back to their home in West Virginia when they collided head-on with another vehicle at fifty-five miles-per-hour.
 
After surgeries on Terry’s spleen, spine, and abdomen, Terry was in the ICU room of Toledo’s Children’s Hospital for over a week before he was told that he was now paralyzed from the waist down.   Terry went through shock …

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Winning Pet »

[12 Nov 2011 | 16 Comments]
Winning Pet: Bling Bling

We had to let Bling Bling, a member of our family that we love more than we can express, die this week because of a brain tumor. She was only 7. It was sudden and unexpected, but she passed surrounded by our love and she knew we all were there. Although paralyzed, she was able to raise her head when we came into her hospital room. She kissed our hands. She tracked each of our voices with her eyes, a slight motion of her head toward each voice as we told her we loved her and said goodbye.

We miss her so much. Get your bed, Bling Bling, get your bed and rest in peace forever in our hearts. We Love You.

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Reader's Choice, Winning Grandmother »

[11 Nov 2011 | 18 Comments]
Readers Choice: My Grandmother

Close your eyes.  Now imagine someone who has touched your life so deeply that you know in your heart your world would never be the same without that person.  Think of someone who has enriched your life, brought peace to your heart, and understanding to your soul.  For me, this story is about admiration for that person, my Grandmother, Lola Jane.  I am so thankful to have the opportunity to honor her and share this with others.
My grandmother has always been my guardian angel, a precious gift that protects, teaches, …

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Daughter, Reader's Choice, Winning Daughter »

[23 Oct 2011 | 22 Comments]
Readers Choice: Daddy’s Little Angel

Abby Vara spent her childhood in Ottawa, Ontario and on her eighth birthday, Abby vividly remembers the evening when a friend close to her father approached with some dreadful news. Upon observing a recent vacation photo, they had noticed it was apparent that Mr. Vara’s face was pulled to one side, showing signs of a stroke. With much puzzled speculation, the family rushed Abby’s father to the hospital where he spent the rest of that evening. It was his first time in a hospital as a patient instead of a doctor.

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Reader's Choice, Winning Benefactors, Your Winners »

[15 Aug 2011 | 57 Comments]
Readers’ Choice: Lauren Beckley — A Forever Home

When asked why non-animal lovers should care about these things, Beckley says, “I can’t even register why anyone can’t care. If people can do such intentional harm to an animal, they can’t protect their own interests or call for help, why are we surprised when they do such harm to human beings?”

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Reader's Choice, Winners Against The Odds »

[28 Jul 2011 | 15 Comments]
Readers’ Choice: Bart Saidel — Facing and Fighting the Ongoing Challenges of Cancer

When Bart Saidel of Cherry Hill, NJ was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the Fall of 2005, family and friends offered unending support to Bart — a devoted husband and father of three children, senior account executive, and soccer/baseball coach — as he faced chemotherapy and surgery. Close friends even shaved their heads.

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