Ask Billie

What are the three most important words in your vocabulary? Think about it. You have probably been told that "I Love You" can make a difference in a life. "God Loves You" brings the most comfort.

Now let's reverse that thought. What are the three most feared words in our vocabulary? I feel confident they would be "You have cancer."

Is there a person you know who has not had their lives changed because of those dreaded words? I doubt it. It is something that impacts whole families and individuals in a way that is impossible to describe. It is a disease that one day life is great and the next day life has turned upside down.

The good news is that much is being learned each day through research. The goal is to find a cure during our lifetime. It cannot be done without the help of each person - you and me. We have opportunities right now and right here.

The East Wharton County Unit of the American Cancer Society places a "Tree of Hope" each year at South Texas Medical Clinic. The tree is decorated with Christmas balls honoring or in memory of someone we care about. The number of decorations is up to each of us. If the decorations are sparse it means we did not get involved.

I believe it will be weighted down this year because we care and because our dollars will go to fight cancer. Some of the funds go for research and some stay in Wharton County to help those fighting cancer. Christmas balls may be placed on the tree for a donation of $10, $25, $50 or $100. They will have the names you choose and if not given as a memorial, it would make a perfect gift.

For more information call Carolyn Cotton, Kathryn Adam or Billie Sweeney and thank you in advance for being a generous community for these causes that touch each of us.

It does seem we are thinking a lot about cancer this week, because there is another cause that benefits the American Cancer Society and is great fun. Remember the Christmas Home Tour? This year, 2007, is going to be different for Wharton County because all the homes are in East Bernard and the date is Sunday, Dec. 9 from 2 until 5 p.m. Clear your calendars for the date, invite family and friends and spend a Sunday afternoon sharing the Christmas spirit. There is another cause Wharton Rotarians would like to share with you. We are collecting toiletries such as shampoo, tooth brushes and paste, lotion or any of the small sample size items found in hotels. These articles will go to the Rotary House in the Houston Medical Center and to Texas Children's Hospital.

Many of us as parents have had a sick child that had to be rushed to the emergency room of a hospital. There is no time to think of the personal needs of the parents. This is the reason for the collection.

While traveling during the holidays remember the Rotarians' project. Also, check that basket in the bathroom that collects those items. Give a Rotarian a call.