Breast Cancer Awareness

I heard this morning about the drummer from KISS being diagnosed with breast cancer. No, you're not crazy. I'm talking about KISS, the all-male band, well, males that put on make-up. Less than 1% of all new cases of invasive breast cancer occur in men. That equates to about 1,990 cases per year. So it CAN happen.

All forms of cancer are tragic, but breast cancer sends an extra blow. Women say it touches them emotionally because it's a direct hit to their feminine identity. Most of us have been personally touched by breast cancer. My grandmother and her sister, my wonderful Aunt Dolly, both had it. I remember playing with my grandmother's wigs as a little girl. Recently, my friend's aunt lost her battle with what started as breast cancer and then spread. She wasn't even 50 yet.

There are so many ways for you to get involved with this fight. There are activities all around town, purchases you can make that benefit breast cancer research and support groups about which you can help get the word out. Most importantly, pray for the women who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, the men who have been diagnosed and feel embarassed, for those who are wearing wigs or scarves on their heads and those who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Pray for the husbands who will provide the emotional support for their wives. And don't just do these things in the month of October. There are eleven other months of the year that we can take advantage of and help put an end to this disease.

- Abby

Meet "Carlos" & "Abby"

Every once in a while I have a moment where I'm reminded of how much of a responsibility I've been given from 6 to 10 am every Monday through Friday. Last Friday night I had the pleasure of emceeing the Todd Agnew/Building 429 concert at St. Andrew's UMC in Brandon. I went into the artist "holding" room and introduced myself to one of the musicians. When I said my name, I heard a woman say, "Ava! Do you know who that is? It's Abby from Spirit FM!" Ava is three and possibly one of the most preciously-cute little girls I've ever laid eyes on. See for yourself in the pic. Her mother, Rachel told me that Ava is a huge fan of "The Big, Big House Morning Show." In fact, she has dolls she's named "Carlos" and "Abby." I'm the Hello Kitty doll and Carlos is the red Dr. Seuss fox.

When I looked at this picture Rachel emailed me this morning, I thought two things. One, the Lord has given me a huge responsibility with this show. The little ears and hearts that tune in every day, many still strapped into a car seat, are so easily impressionable. I know how important it is that they hear positive, encouraging words and music. And that leads me to the second thought: What a blessing it is to be a part of a ministry that can form young hearts like this.

I'm sure there are other three year old little girls out there that have dolls they've named "Brittany" (no, I'm not trying to harp on Brittany Spears, but that's a recognizable name in pop culture) or "Mylie." I'm not saying I'm perfect or these girls are horrible roll models. I'm am saying that there are so many other things out there that want our kids' attention. It so great that Ava has been surrounded by the message and music on Spirit FM so much that she's found a friend in me and Carlos. I can only imagine the conversations she has with "Carlos" and "Abby." I wonder if the plush Abby corrects the plush Carlos' grammar too! Or if the plush Carlos has a funny laugh and the plush Abby has moments of air-headedness. Oh, to be a fly on the wall!

My prayer is that more parents in the Tampa Bay area can use Spirit FM to feed their children the message of Christ. I'd love it if every three year old in the tri-county area named their Hello Kitty, "Abby" and their funny red fox, "Carlos." Not because my name would be out there, but because then I'd know that these kids know the love and the friendship they have in Jesus. That would be pretty cool.

- Abby