At first glance, Bob Fecho does not look like your “typical cardiac patient.” He is 59 years old and looks ten years younger. He follows a healthy diet, at times eating strictly vegan, and he exercises on a regular basis.
...“Both of my parents suffered heart attacks in their sixties, so the family history is there,”

On Jan. 2, 2011, Doris Cleghorn was looking forward to going to Gainesville with her daughter for an appointment her daughter had there. True, she felt a little tired and short of breath as they left Athens, but she figured she had simply over-exerted herself during the holidays.

Carol Schimmel’s personality radiates through a room. After just one short chat over a cup of tea you walk away with a hug and a new friend. Her positivity is positively refreshing.

At 80 years old, Jeri Graves is active and independent. The matriarch of her family, Jeri spent over 30 years in management with BellSouth, then went on to have second and even third careers post-retirement. Jeri is not one to settle down.

When Jack Bauerle isn’t poolside coaching the University of Georgia swim squad, chances are you’ll find him on the tennis court, planning his next big surfing trip, or playing half-court basketball with his buddies.

On Jan. 3, 2010, 12th grade English teacher Sally Baker and her husband, Brad, learned they were expecting a baby. Happily envisioning their family of three, Sally and Brad started hunting for baby names.

At 73 years old, Del Hicks considers himself to be medically fortunate. He enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle. He takes his grandchildren to school each morning and always has a fishing trip to look forward to or housework to be done.

Jill and Jackson Michael have a beautiful family. Their triplets – Jack, Gabriel and Isabella – celebrated their first birthday this spring. It’s hard to imagine, looking at their family, that becoming parents wasn’t easy for the Michaels.

It had been a routine night for St. Mary’s telephone operator Jeremiah Wiggs, but now something was wrong. He almost never had headaches, but he had developed a terrible one.

When Jack Tweedell of Buckhead came home after his second stroke, his life was looking pretty bleak. His doctor was suggesting assisted living. For a man who loved independence and the outdoors, it was a difficult time.

Visa Thompson of Monticello knows that the world doesn't stop when the doctor says, "You have breast cancer." The horses still have to be fed, the mortgage still has to be paid, you still want your children to go to college.

Madison County resident Donna West was certain she did not have breast cancer. Yes, there was a painful lump in her breast. Yes, her fiancé had been urging her to get it checked out. But she was strong, active, had no family history of cancer.

For Athenian Janie Bush, being inactive is not an option. So, as a grandmother who loves to garden and exercise, the disabling hip pain that was limiting her life quickly became intolerable.

Joy McCauley of Royston has tears in her eyes as she recalls seeing her husband walk again for the first time. She didn't know it would be possible.

James Lakeman of Greensboro puts it bluntly: “For a diabetic, a bag of fast food ought to have a skull and crossbones on it.” Tough words, but he ought to know: his father died from complications of diabetes and in May 2007.