Longtime foster mom Leslie DeWesplore aims to help families with The Cooper Foundation of Missouri Story by Samantha Pogue Leslie DeWesplore sees the importance of a strong family unit. The Jefferson City native and her husband of seven years, Mike, have built that for his two children and Leslie’s...
Diane and Mark Struemph have collectively lost 430-plus pounds in less than three years Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith At Diane and Mark Struemph’s front door lies a welcome mat sporting their last name that also states: “The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.”...
Story by Samantha Pogue Six months before her scheduled mammogram in 2001, Nancy K. Gratz felt God was with her. At that time, she had mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. Then she discovered a lump. “I was very busy and I did think about canceling...
A recurring theme Lori Hoelscher heard throughout her battle with breast cancer is “You’re going to be OK.” Her husband Delbert, her family, her friends and loved ones who had been through the same battle often said those words, but they said it with conviction. This simple, powerful declaration...
Liz Morrow knew soon after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was not going to let it win. After going in for a routine mammogram Nov. 28, 2017, shortly after finishing her doctorate degree classes, she was called back for a biopsy on Dec. 4. Her mother Bertha Armstead was with her when...
If there is one piece of advice Pam Schnieders could offer others diagnosed with breast cancer, it is to listen to your body and advocate for yourself if you feel like something isn’t right. She followed her own advice after she found a lump in her breast in 2007. “They did a mammogram and an ultrasound and...
Ashley Patterson connects community with ways to fight back against cancer Story by Samantha Pogue For more than a decade, Ashley Patterson worked in the sports industry for various gyms and health and fitness centers in St. Louis and California the state. However after moving back to her native...
Story by Samantha Pogue Jeremy Hart got a phone call in mid-June and received news he could barely keep to himself. “He just can’t keep secrets,” his fiance Heather Ellis said with a laugh. “He texted me and in all caps said, ‘I HAVE REALLY EXCITING NEWS!’” “But then I said, ‘You...
Creativity, dedication and perseverance make award-winning JCPS teacher Jeni DeFeo a real life super hero Story by Samantha Pogue • Photos by Julie Smith As a child of the ‘80s, Jeni DeFeo absorbed herself in pop culture. The sweet, fruity aroma from her Strawberry Shortcake collection often...
