Teresa Smith has been an agent with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners (in Buford) since 2002. This past September, Teresa reached out to help a friend and fellow agent in her office - Lesli.
Lesli is a beautiful woman inside and out. If you did not know Lesli and met her, you would want her to be your life-long friend. She and her husband Jay have two lovely daughters, age 9 and 14.
In March of 2007, Lesli was surprised and distraught by a diagnosis of stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). After receiving chemo treatment at M D Anderson and flying back and forth from Atlanta every week, she had a mastectomy in December 2007. Within 10 days, she was given the amazing news that she was cancer free! She came home in March of 2008 after 6 weeks of radiation treatments and began the long process of trying to return to a normal life.
In September 2008, Lesli went for her 6-month check up. She was unhappy and had a constant sinus infection, as well as debilitating headaches. Upon her arrival in Houston, she was immediately rushed to the emergency room because her headache was so severe. They discovered that her cancer had moved to her brain. She had just grown her beautiful hair long enough to quit wearing her wig.... Lesli had to have brain surgery.
With their family struggling financially from her medical bills, and their business had dropped out of their control, Teresa Smith stepped in. She just could not stand on the sidelines and watch her friend and their family struggle, without trying to help.
In only a few weeks, Teresa convinced Aqualand Marina to host a fundraiser for Lesli's family. Even though she is a very busy realtor, Teresa worked day and night to gather over 15 food vendors and people to rent over 30 booths to sell their crafts, jewelry, services, etc, with half of all proceeds going to Lesli's fund. Businesses gave gift certificates for raffles, local bands entertained for free, more than 40 donations were given for a Silent Auction, and a Cake Walk was held. Hall Of Fame Pitcher, Phil Niekro (former Atlanta Braves player) autographed pictures and donated all the proceeds. There was face painting, pumpkin painting, moonwalk jumping and paintball activities for the kids. People came from everywhere to make this event a success for Lesli.
Teresa’s goal was to hopefully raise $10,000, but more than $22,000 was raised for Lesli and her family through Teresa’s extraordinary efforts. Lesli's husband J said "It was unbelievable and humbling to watch Teresa make this happen. Words are not enough; she is a god-send, sent to us straight from heaven."
Weather reports called for a cold, rainy Saturday for the day of the event, but when morning came, the skies miraculously cleared and the sun shone down on this event and our special, quiet hero, Teresa Smith.
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Holly and Teresa, who seem otherwise to be unassuming and unpretentious individuals, rose to the occasion and demonstrated remarkable acts of kindness and love for others with no thoughts for themselves. This unselfish, exceptional concern for others is what “Quiet Heroes” seems to me to be all about. Congratulations on two outstanding stories! We’re looking forward to many more!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and appropriate way to honor Teresa. Teresa's efforts were indeed heroic and her impact on J and Lesli's lives was magnificent. To have so selflessly put her efforts into this event while trying to maintain her successful real estate business certainly makes Teresa a hero in my eyes and in others.
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