Ron Would Have Loved It
Many of you knew my husband, Ron Smith, long-time WBAL-AM talk show host — “The Voice of Reason” — in person or as a member of his cherished radio audience.
Most readers of The Business Monthly probably know that Ron died of pancreatic cancer late last year. As his widow, I feel compelled to tell you that Mark Smith’s June front page article about the new test for the disease, which was invented by North County High School student Jack Andraka, was brilliantly written, as well as uplifting.
Since Ron’s passing, I’ve helped spearhead a group effort to raise money for pancreatic research while honoring his legacy. To date, The Friends of Ron Smith (www.FriendsofRonSmith.com) have raised $150,000 for the Ron Smith Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and we’re poised to proceed toward our goal of $1 million.
Ron would have eagerly invited Jack to be a guest on his show and would have been thrilled to discuss Jack’s startling accomplishments. Given that can’t happen, however, I’m running your article, in full, on our web site.
Our organization is also affiliated with Rep. Andy Harris, who is sponsoring H.R. 733, the Pancreatic Cancer Research Education Act, which is intended to direct more cancer research money toward finding a cure for the disease. He has written an article for the site, as well.
I’d also like to share that, on a recent Saturday evening in Washington, D.C., I was touched and thrilled to accept an Emmy Award that was posthumously awarded to Ron for his lifetime of achievements in broadcasting.
My journey without Ron has been difficult; however, our web site, our fundraising efforts and the delight that comes when Ron is saluted — or when I read an article like yours — give me comfort, encouragement and motivation.
If any of your readers would like to touch base, they should feel free. I’m at june@friendsofronsmith.com.
— June “Mrs. Reason” Smith, Shrewsbury, Pa.
