Kolleen with Dr. Manahan
On Friday night, shortly after 9 p.m., we lost a friend and a champion. Kolleen Stacey was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997. Kolleen testified in front of Congress to get a bill passed called “Johanna’s Law,” designed to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, which passed into law in 2007. Surviving are her husband, Bill L. Stacey of New Palestine, children, Angie Stacey Cole (husband Scott) of Phoenix, AZ and Bill R. Stacey (wife Lynne) of New Palestine, brother, David Schriefer of Worthington, IN, and grandsons, Ethan and Colin Stacey. We send our condolences to the Stacey family.
Below are a few words that describe my thoughts about Kolleen.
Celebrating a True Friend
On Thursday, July 9, 2009 just past noon, I said good bye in person to a dear friend for the last time on this side of eternity. Kolleen Stacey, a champion, a survivor, an advocate, and most importantly a friend succumbed to her nearly 12 year battle with ovarian cancer.
As I drove away from the Stacey home with tears in my eyes, I recalled all the memories that Kolleen and I have made over the last nearly three years. The first time I met Kolleen was when she came to talk about Johanna’s Law to one of our first ever WORD events. She was in active chemo and was in the throws of nausea and exhaustion. I remember meeting her as her husband Bill helped her into the building. She came in and laid down on a bench and waited for her time to talk. When it was time, it was as if she had all the energy in the world. She spoke with passion, commitment, and energy about the need to raise awareness about a dreaded disease. Her delivery and her courage were inspiring. I knew I needed to know this lady more.
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