To the editor:

As I read the article of Bill Snead’s accomplished life, I was reminded of the Bill Snead I am honored to have known.

In 2004, my only child was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and tested positive for the cancer gene BRCA2. She underwent the traditional treatment as well as some cutting-edge treatment at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. During this time, she met and was befriended by a most remarkable woman, Dona Snead, a social worker in the oncology department.

In 2006, the Journal-World did a series following cancer survivors’ stories. We met with Bill for photos, a video and some hard discussions about life after cancer. Bill told interesting stories of his career, his travels all over the world, the famous and not-so-famous people he had photographed and the joy his work provided. But his focus at this time was Julie’s story. Her interview appeared Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006, story and photographs by Bill Snead.

I’m trying to say he was a very caring, compassionate, personable story teller. As he suffered form his cancer, he took the time to tell the stories of others’ struggle and get the word out, “You are not alone.” He was indeed a warrior in the fight.

My daughter lost her battle Oct. 15, 2012. Dona had been with us during the evening. Now both (Bill’s and Julie’s) stories have been told.