Luck of the Draw

Isn't interesting how the world has it's moments that just have us wondering: Why? Why me? One Saint Paul, MN woman knows exactly what I'm talking about. KARE 11 in Minneapolis covered a story about a singer with a shocking story. Just before Molly Maher's band would be booked for Rock The Cure, a concert dedicated to fight breast cancer, Maher received news she has breast cancer.

• Maher works at a guitar store in Saint Paul, Willie's American Guitars. 
• She's 39-years-old and never expected cancer to be in the cards. 
• No one in her family has a history of any cancer. 
• Maher found a lump in her breast. 
• Doctors diagnosed her in February. 

In the article, she claims to be healthy, eat right and exercise, but luck gets in the way." Not the kind of luck you wish for.


The founder of Rock The Cure, Angie Hanzel-Palomo, wanted Mahler's band to be the opening band for this year's breast cancer fundraiser. Maher and Hanzel-Palomo go years back as Molly has helped Willie's donate guitars to Rock The Cure.  These are guitars signed by musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Melissa Etheridge.

Photo Courtesy: KARE 11

Moller Maher and Her Disbelievers would be a part of the concert this time. Maher's already has a connection with the fund's benefits. The Susan Komen fund, Rock The Cure's breast cancer fund, offers free breast exams through the SAGE women's clinic. Maher's had these free exams.

• This year's concert will be the ninth annual Rock The Cure. It's raised a whopping $120,000 for breast cancer already. 

Maher's had a few months to fight her own battle while preparing for the performance.

• The rocking and rolling takes place May 1 at 8 p.m. 

I like the way Kare 11's Renee Tessman writes this story. She includes facts, great, emotional quotes and background into the character leading into the story. The story has a good flow.

I was confused whether or not Hanzel-Palomo had sent the email before or after Maher's diagnosis. Tessman quotes Hanzel-Palomo saying she had the invite email to Maher in her drafts email.

• The reporter never clarifies when she sent the invite and the reaction Hanzel-Palomo gets. I think this is important to make clear to readers. 

It makes us assume what we want. We shouldn't have to assume anything. That kind of irritated me.

I like that there are a few links embedded in the story. It's easy to navigate and find any additional information right in the body of the story.

• I wish we used our links that way at KOMU. I think it would be easier for viewers to have the option to go to the links and numbers section and/or click on links directly in the story. 

The photos have plenty of depth to it. I was jealous of the fantastic photography.

• I want to improve my videography to take shots that compel viewers like Maher's photos do. The depth allows you to feel emotions through the photos. 

It's a simple story with a deeper meaning. Although Maher has bad news, she gets to experience it in a good way.

• Performing to help others while fighting her own battle. 

That's made me feel very bittersweet.

The reporter demonstrates this idea very well with the structure of the story. Like I said before, it has a nice flow. That is the most important thing for a story, I believe.

The story made me want to close my eyes and listen because the audio was very enticing. At the same time, I kept wanting to watch the smooth flow of shots of Maher and others playing. I felt at ease with this story. The flow showed in words and through broadcast. That is a tough thing to accomplish; one I'm striving for every day.