Carrying Their Legacy Forward

My first introduction to TOUCH, Inc. was a 2011 conversation... with long time family friend and TOUCH Co-founder, Reverend Phil Hoy. He mentioned that he was working on a fundraiser/memorial ceremony for cancer victims called “Twilight On The River” in Newburgh. Although I couldn’t attend the event, I made a donation in memory of Ann Schmidt Walker, dearest lifelong friend and mother of my Godson. Annie was an incredibly compassionate, multi-talented lady who excelled at friendship. She sadly succumbed in 2011 to metastatic melanoma at the age of 57 after a valiant fight full of grace and dignity.

Fast forward to 2016 when my husband and I attended the TOUCH, Inc. Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Following inspirational stories from Director Sandy Feltz, Board Members and a survivor, I felt compelled to complete the volunteer application form that very night. I introduced myself to Director Sandy, explained that my motivation was to volunteer “…in memory of Ann, my friend in Indy, who died of melanoma in 2011.” Sandy stopped me and exclaimed she knew Ann and that she and her husband had been helped by Ann several years prior…the usual “1 degree of separation” in the small world called Evansville!

After mentioning my prior volunteer background, Sandy said she wanted me to join the TOUCH Advisory Committee. Since that night, it has continued to be a fulfilling and inspirational journey full of poignant survivor stories, touching memorials to those we helped but lost their battles and a bonus has been the friendship and connections with amazing Board members and volunteers. I hope to continue honoring Ann and Dr Karl Lamb, another dear friend lost to cancer, by volunteering for TOUCH as long as they will have me.