Each year the Marthasville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Boone Area Ecumenical Prayer breakfast to benefit the Washington Medical and Dental Mission in Honduras.Dr. Tim Long founded the mission nearly 30 years ago and reported two teams will head to Honduras this year. The teams are comprised of physicians, dentists, eye doctors, pharmacists and volunteers from all walks of life. The first team of 15 members is currently in Honduras. Another group of 35 will travel there mid-March.“I’m a voice to remind us how fortunate we are to live in this great country,” said Dr. Long. “At least we have a net to catch us when we get sick. These people don’t have that.”More than $700 was raised during the prayer breakfast held Tuesday, Feb. 26, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Marthasville.Guest SpeakerDavid Reed, of Foristell, was the guest speaker at the event. In 2012, Reed was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Histiocytic Sarcoma. Doctors told him he only had months to live. Not only did Reed successfully beat this cancer, but again in 2016 when he was diagnosed with another stage 4 cancer, B Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.“We had plans,” said Reed. “We would work, save money, retire, maybe have a side job. Boy, did we plan! But we didn’t plan for this.”Reed’s wife, Dena, accompanied him to the event, along with several faithful friends who supported him during his battle with both cancers, including three bone marrow transplants.In January 2018, Reed was struggling to cope with his new limitations caused by cancer treatments.“God still wasn’t finished with me,” he said. “A vision was born. I believe I was spared to share my story and experiences of real hope for real people.”Reed formed a ministry called “It’s What You CAN Do.” He refers to his story as “a regular guy, a rare cancer, and a remarkable recovery.”He often speaks to church organizations and other faith groups, sharing his message of hope and healing. He partners with others struggling with cancer. He talks about how making decisions out of fear is difficult.Friends from his men’s small group Bible study became his “cord of many strands,” lifting him up through the process of fighting cancer. One of them made sure Reed would fulfill his dream of seeing the Grand Canyon, even financing it if he would beat the cancer.“We don’t love with words, we love with actions,” said Reed. “That is what he saw from his circle of friends.”To contact Reed email davidreed@itswhatyoucando.com, call 636-896-5758 or visit www.itswhatyoucando.com.

David Reed, center, along with wife Dena and his support team attended the Boone Area Ecumenical Prayer breakfast Tuesday, Feb. 26, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Reed, the guest speaker for the event, shared his story of beating stage 4 cancer twice. He has founded “It’s What You Can Do,” an inspirational ministry to help others with their fights with cancer by providing inspirational messages, prayer and partnering. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Seventh- and eighth-grade students from St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School, Marthasville, reported for duty early Tuesday, Feb. 28, to serve those attending the Boone Area Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Marthasville. 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden