Sisters Create Monthly Magazine to Serve Social-Profit Community

“Wake up!” “Amy, wake up!” It was 3am in August 1992. I slowly opened my eyes; the panic and fear on my father’s face immediately brought me fully awake. He was trying to be quiet because my little sister was sleeping in the bunk above me.  “I need you to drive, something is wrong with mom, we have to go to the hospital, right now!”

I threw on my shoes, still in my pajamas, and ran to help get my mother to the car.  She was sobbing from the pain.  I held my mother in the back seat, praying and hoping she would be OK.  We lived an hour from any hospital, the drive seemed like an eternity.

She had been sick for a long time, but no one had any answers. When the doctors came back they said that her blood count was at only four and they were amazed that she was even walking around, and yet she had been working by our father’s side every day.  They told us she had to have surgery immediately but warned us she might have a stroke or heart attack.   By now the entire family had shown up, and one by one each of us went in to say goodbye. I wasn’t ready to let her go. I was too young to be without her, we all were.

In a six-hour surgery they removed a tumor the size of her fist along with half of her colon. My mind flew to when I was 12 and we lost my grandmother DeVera to metastasized bladder cancer; she only lived three weeks after the diagnosis.  I couldn’t bear the thought of losing BOTH of the most important women in my life. We never knew what to do, where to turn or how to find help. I vowed to one day keep this from happening to anyone else. I wanted to create a way to inform, show support and create awareness.

Happily, Mom made it through her surgery, survived that first frightening week, and is a survivor to this day.

Amy and Cara Michael present award to Rhiannon Edwards, Children's Miracle Network, at their first anniversary party

Years later I began my own company and named it dvLaRue Design Print and Development, after my Mother Sharon LaRue and my Grandmother DeVera LaRue.  I wanted to remember to run my company with their qualities of strength and determination, to treat my clients with kindness, and to make each and every client feel like they are my only client.

The concept for Springfield Cares magazine began in the anger and frustration I felt long ago when my mother was sick. I wanted a place that shares information and guidance, where people can learn the signs to look for, find help and information, and learn about volunteer opportunities. I hope this effort will help reduce pain, suffering and loss of life. I recruited my sister and a few close friends to help me get started.

Cara and I have dedicated our lives to this project. With the financial support of dvLaRue we launched the first issue of Springfield CARES Magazine in June 2010. Since then it has been a labor of love. We deeply believe this magazine has a key spot in this caring community. We thank our supporters and the countless ways this community proves that Springfield Really CARES.