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Dear Moonlight & Magnolias Contributors, Supporters and friends,
I had heard it before…sort of. It was 1991 and my father’s doctor, Bubba McElhaney, walked down the hall, looked at my Mom and me and said, “He’s got cancer.” What a total punch in the gut. I remember the doctor saying he needed to tell my Dad and I said that I would. I’m not sure why I said I would, because I really did not want to. I did not want him to have it, but he did. Daddy looked at me, smiled and said, “Sarge, let’s go beat this thing.”
 I do not know if it is ironic or fitting that I write this letter on what would have been my father’s 92nd birthday. You see, he did not beat it, but he sure did fight it. My sister and two uncles have fought and won. My father’s sister fought and lost but battled like my Dad. I guess growing up on a mill village, having strong faith in God and just generally being a Bishop gives you a strong desire to battle and win!
So, last year when my doctor walked in and said those words you never want to hear, “you’ve got cancer”, I knew it was time to fight. Prostate cancer at 51. Wow! Not ready to hear that! After the initial shock, then some fear, anger and confusion…it was time to fight! A skilled surgeon, who is a friend, helped us start the fight by removing my cancerous prostate. Treatments may follow, but for now I am cancer free.
Your browser may not support display of this image. This blessing has helped me evaluate my faith, family and friends as well as myself. However, wouldn’t it be great, fantastic, wonderful, marvelous ( too many words could fit here), if no other person ever has to hear those words…”You’ve got cancer.” What if no one ever had to fight this disease again? By working with The American Cancer Society, hopefully we can raise the money to fund research, educate, offer screenings, give patient care and support and one day maybe wipe out cancer.
My beautiful bride Beth and I are humbled to serve as Honorary Chairpersons for the 2010 Moonlight and Magnolias Gala to benefit The American Cancer Society. Together maybe we can eliminate those few awful words…”You’ve got cancer.”
Sincerely,
Bill and Beth Bishop
2010 Honorary Chairpersons
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