From the editor

May 2007

As I write this message in the greening of spring, new life is popping up everywhere—and so goes the cycle of life. Bouncing baby goats fill the fields across the state. It’s definitely springtime, and raising goats in Georgia is a growing industry—and we’re not “Just kidding …”.

Babies and springtime always represent new life and rebirth. On a serious note, the cycle of life, death and new life is most poignantly told in our story on organ donation, “Hearts entwined.” Read this tragic story with a happy ending—new life and new friends.

Nationwide, more than 93,000 people need a life-saving transplant, but each day, 17 people on waiting lists die because the organ they need does not become available. Please consider checking “organ donor” on your driver’s license or making your wishes known to family members.

Enjoy,

Ann Orowski
Editor

A tribute to Ty Harvey

I’d like to dedicate this issue to one of GEORGIA Magazine’s own, Ty Harvey, who lost his battle with cancer on April 5 at age 34. Ty was the magazine’s marketing coordinator for five years, and, during that time, was instrumental in advancing awareness of the publication and of the electric cooperative industry.

After he left us in 2004, he followed his heart—even while battling various cancers—to raise funds for schools in India for underprivileged children. He followed that with the creation of a faith-based, international support network for cancer victims and their families, “Light in the Darkness,” an organization for “celebrating and appreciating life in a brand new way,” according to Ty. Its Web site, www.cancerprayer.org reached people almost everywhere! And, between the treatments and trips to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, Ty was a leader on the Cobb County Relay For Life team, “Friends for LIFE.”

Ty “rejoiced in hope” and always gave God the praise. We will all miss his bright smile and constant loving attitude. He reminds us all: “Sometimes there is only one chance to say something—to tell someone your heart.”

ON THE COVER THIS MONTH:

Heart donor Evan Sheffield's mother, Cathy Willis Spraetz, and heart recipient Richard Wilcoxson share their stories of loss and life. (Photo by Parker C. Smith.)