Radiate (44 page)

To my agent, Deidre Knight, for your wisdom, support, and continued belief in me.

To my wonderful editor, Julia Richardson, for helping me pay it forward and share this story with the world. To the amazing team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for their hard work on behalf of my characters and me. I am
the
luckiest author.

To my sister, Jennifer Keller, and my brother, Jeffrey Harbuck—who are nothing like the siblings in this book—thank you for being there for me during the rough patch... and beyond.

To Ellen Dunn Davies, who brought me cheer, laughter, and extraordinary baked goods during my hospital stay. Also, thanks for sending the Homewood High School cheerleaders to cheer me up. My thanks to them, as well. I know not your names, but your kindness and overwhelming spirit got me up out of my hospital bed, and I’ll remember you always.

To my uncle, Dr. David E. Marley, Jr., for diagnosing my cancer, researching doctors, and getting me to the right team of experts to fix the situation. To the staff at UAB Medical Center, particularly Dr. Dunham and Dr. Meyer. Good work. ’Nuff said.

To my best friend from high school, Lee Outlaw, who never treated me differently and made me laugh every day. You were a key to my positive attitude toward everything. And to my cheerleading partner, Laura Ross Hixon, for keeping me motivated and cheering me on.

Oddly enough, to Rick Springfield, rock star turned actor who played Dr. Noah Drake on ABC’s
General Hospital
when it was at its peak. Although I was going through my own daytime drama, my teenage crush on you and the need not to miss a moment of you on the small screen kept my mind off all the tests, surgeries, and treatments. Your music continues to inspire me even today, and I dare say I’m your biggest fan. Rock on!

To my critique partners, Wendy Toliver and Jenn Echols, for who you are and all you do. To the Buzz girls for friendship, camaraderie, and support.

To the real Radiate Foundation, which I hope brings much hope and many cheers to young adults undergoing cancer treatment. www.radiatefoundation.org.

A jumbled thanks to Mark and Debby Constantino for letting me write a good chunk of this book while parked in your driveway; Penny Georgoudis for the bracelet that became the theme to my life; my “interns,” Hilary Scales and Vanessa Guttry Noble; and to my texting partner in crime, Rachel Heggaton. And to my little fur baby love muffins, Madison and Boo, who slept soundly next to Mommy as she wrote. It’s amazing how much joy and happiness you’ve brought into my life.

And finally, to my heart, my love, and my true-life hero, Patrick Burns, who listened to my tale of overcoming cancer and proudly said to me, “I love that cheerleading saved your life.”

Well, sweetie,
so did you.

***

The Radiate Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on bringing cheer to young adults (13–25) currently undergoing cancer treatment. The foundation works with local cheerleading teams to bring baskets of cheer, as well as smiles, joy, and hope to those battling cancer. With your help and support, The Radiate Foundation will help spread cheer during times of struggle and provide that shining light pointing to the end of the tunnel. The Radiate Foundation—lifting your spirits.

For more information or to donate, visit www.radiatefoundation.org.

Marley Gibson’s popular young adult series Ghost Huntress contains the books
The Awakening, The Guidance, The Reason, The Counseling,
and
The Discovery.
She is also the author of non-fiction books such as
The Other Side: A Teen’s Guide to Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal,
coauthored with her fiancé, Patrick Burns of TruTV’s
Haunting Evidence,
as well as
Christmas Miracles
and
The Spirit of Christmas,
coauthored with the
New York Times
best-selling author of
90 Minutes in Heaven,
Cecil Murphey. As a teenager, Gibson fought her own battle with cancer while a high school cheerleader and approached her treatment and healing with humor, lots of prayer, and a positive attitude. A certified SCUBA diver, a closet gourmet chef, and an avid traveler, Marley lives full-time on the road with her fiancé and two rescue kitties, Madi and Boo, in an RV they lovingly call Midge. Follow their travels at www.haunted-highways.com. She can also be found online at www.marleygibson.com, www.facebook.com/marley.h.gibson, or at her blog www.booksboysbuzz.com.