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ANGELS IN OUR MIDST

Joe Strothers has been his wife's caregiver for years.

She is confined to a wheelchair.

When Mr. Strothers was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, church members and friends did what they could for as long as they could.

Then it was the Angels who took over and got him farther down the road to recovery.

Voice of Judy Platt; I started about four years ago when they first started the program. My husband had cancer and I, being around the patients, I know the importance of treatment.

Judy Platt is a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

Knock. Ready to go? Ready to go. All right.

Joe Strothers is fighting advanced stage colorectal cancer. After surgery, he requires chemotherapy three days a week and radiation five days a week. He lives in Milton, his treatment is in Pensacola.

Voice of Joe Strothers; It was an extreme hardship and especially financially as far as the gas is concerned.

Judy, Debbie and Buddy... When they came into my life, I was down.

Judy, Buddy and Debbie are "Road To Recovery" volunteer drivers. They reassured Joe and his family that they would take turns getting him to where he needs to go...Every day.

Joe Strothers, Cancer Patient; We're here to take you to and from. We realize that it's going to be hours, whatever. When you finish your treatment, we'll be there and we'll take you home.

Sometimes, it's three, four hours, or longer and then, of course, there's the gas for the 32-mile round trip.

Judy; I read. I bring books. I'll run over to the mall, or over to Sam's or Wal Mart. I never considered the cost factor or the time factor. It was more the patient factor.

For most of the patients, the chats on the trips to and from are just as much a part of their treatment as the doctor's visits.

Joe; We just became family, to where, I'm so relaxed, we can talk about anything.

Judy; A lot of them don't want to talk to their family because they don't want to upset their family. So, we're a good buffer for them.

Joe Strothers has had some big bumps and detours on his road to recovery. But, every mile of the way, his Angels are committed to being there.

No treatment, no hope.

Joe; Thank you, thank you, thank you. 'Cause I was never alone.Angels In Our Midst (Judy Platt)

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