Wishing Mayor Smothers well
When I read Kory Dodd's story about Mayor Becky Smothers beginning chemo, my first reaction was that I was going to have to return a bunch of calls from readers upset that we had invaded her privacy by writing about her cancer.
Her cancer was an open secret around town. Kory explains the rest:
Once we learned the aggressive nature of the mayor's cancer, my editor (Lex) felt it was important to let readers know about it. My father was diagnosed with a form of leukemia -- a less aggressive cancer than what the mayor has -- in October, so I have an understanding of what she and her family may be going through. My father is very private about his leukemia, so I tried to be as sensitive as possible when I approached Mayor Smothers about writing the article. Her reaction surprised me. She was very enthusiastic about publicizing her illness. She said she wanted women to understand the importance of having routine mammograms, because without them her cancer would not have been diagnosed.
As Allen notes, that fits Smothers' big-hearted personality.
Not only did I not get any calls complaining, the city released a statement asking well-wishers to stop calling her at home today and to wait a few days as she recovers from the chemo. I'm glad to be proved wrong. Contrary to the impression that our letters to the editor may give you, people around here have a big generous heart.
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