JoAnn Washington

It is a privilege to nominate JoAnn Washington, who is my inspiration through this terrible ordeal. There is no one as inspirational to me as my friend JoAnn Washington. Sometimes I would be sick from chemo and radiation, feeling down she would call me or come by bearing the sweetest gifts and plenty of "love and cheers". This would always change my mood, attitude, and of course my spirit. Sometime God puts special people in our lives for a reason. The support and love she showed me was just what I needed to make it through this whole ordeal. Sometimes I would be feeling sorry for myself and she would come by and lift my spirits. JoAnn is a four-year survivor. She has never portrayed any sorry or pity, just love, strength, support and above all compassion. Sometimes I would be at a low point, then JoAnn would call me and lift me up with encouraging words like "I love you" or "I was just thinking of you". I thanked God every time she came by or called, because her compassion was what I needed at the time.

JoAnn has become a very special part of my family and my life, and I thank God for putting us together! I never could have and would not have made it without God and JoAnn in my life. I hope to be an inspiration to someone just as JoAnn has inspired me. I will always love and cherish her friendship forever.