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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Forever Grateful
Hoover Woman Stunned by Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis, Beats Disease By Anne Ruisi
T Journal photo by Maury Wald
wo years of mysterious symptoms that began with stomach pain eluded diagnosis until November 2022, when Kathy Polk’s doctors figured out the cause of her illness: stage 3 pancreatic cancer. The Hoover resident and her family were stunned as they hadn’t recognized the symptoms of the often-deadly disease, such as persistent bloat, pain in the upper abdomen and back, sudden weight loss and jaundice of the skin and whites of the eyes. “Pancreatic cancer is extremely difficult to find. If you have vague symptoms, you need to pursue it,” she said. “Early detection affords the best opportunity for a cure.” A year later – following a physically punishing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and a nine-hour surgery but with tremendous support from her family, friends and even
See GRATEFUL, page 10
Josh Galloway, center and his mother Michelle Galloway, right, join Bitty & Beau’s co-founder Ben Wright at the grand opening of the coffee shop’s new location in Homewood. Josh, a participant at The Exceptional Foundation, will be working part time there.
A Cup of Opportunity By Anne Ruisi
I
t seems only natural that a man who loves coffee as much as Josh Galloway would get a part-time job as a barista at the new Homewood coffee shop, Bitty & Beau’s. “He’s our coffee connoisseur,” Josh’s mom, Michelle Galloway, said of her 25-year-old son. Josh Galloway, a participant at The Exceptional Foundation, was
excited to start work. Bitty & Beau’s, which opened Nov. 11 at 1625 Oxmoor Road, is no ordinary spot to enjoy a cup of java. It’s staffed by workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many of them participants at The Exceptional Foundation, which is just across the street. Inspired by Amy and Ben Wrights’ two youngest children, who have Down syndrome, the brand was born in 2016 under
the family’s leadership in Wilmington, North Carolina. Since its founding, Bitty & Beau’s has been dedicated to reshaping perceptions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly in the workplace, according to a company news release. “Eighty percent of people with disabilities don’t have jobs – and we’re out to change that, not just by providing employSee COFFEE, page 9
Cancer survivor Kathy Polk and her husband Don are working to increase pancreatic cancer awareness. World Pancreatic Cancer Day is Nov. 16.
INSIDE
LOUD SIGNAL TO SLOW DOWN ROAR to honor local business leader at 13th Annual Gala PAGE 4
TOP TOYS OTM toy experts talk about the year’s best bets. Plus our annual OTM Christmas Gife Guide. PAGE 22 WASHINGTON UPDATE Britt calls for Hamas to be ‘Eradicated’ in speech to chambers PAGE 8
FLYING ON SOLID GROUND Homewood witches ride for cancer research PAGE 12
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Disabled Employees Staff New Homewood Coffee Shop