With A Little Help From My Friends

Earlier this year, Wilhelmina Bell-Taylor, the Founder and President of the company I work for (BETAH Associates, Inc.), passed away. While I didn't have the chance to meet her, I have since learned that Wilhelmina was truly an extraordinary person. She faced numerous problems with her health, with being diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease when she was 19, then experiencing congestive heart failure, then developing lung cancer in 2004, which ultimately took her life. Wilhelmina was never a smoker, so the fact that she died from lung cancer is terribly tragic. Through all of these troubles, Wilhemina still managed to raise a daughter as a single mother, finish her education, start her career, and ultimately start the business that would become BETAH in her home.

While Wilhelmina could never be replaced, her daugher, Michelle Taylor, has taken on the role of President and CEO of the company. Michelle is truly an example of how to take tragedy and turn it into a positive situation. She is now taking on the role of 5K race organizer.

This is where you all come in. Michelle is putting on a 5K Run/Walk for Lung Life next April. The actual name hasn't been decided yet, but the race will be held in honor and memory of Wilhelmina. It will also serve as a vehicle to raise awareness on lung cancer. She has enlisted a number of us with race planning and running experience to help her get this off the ground. But you don't have to be a runner to help set something like this up. We need people with experience in budget development, fundraising, securing sponsorship, graphics, media relations, marketing and promotion.

I think this is a great opportunity to not only bring a new race to the streets of Mongtomery County, but honor the life and memory of a great woman.

If anyone is interested in serving on a committee to help plan, let me know and I'll give you the info you need. If you want to just be kept in mind to volunteer on race day, that's great! Just let me know.