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grandchildren and are expecting their first great-grandchild in December. In 2016, Gail was diagnosed with stage 2 breast can- cer. Because of getting the diagnoses in the early stages, she is now cancer-free. Hankins attributes her wellness to the research, the surgery and radiation therapy and, most of all, the prayers. “Just by talking with other cancer patients and hearing their inspiring stories motivates me to give back my time, the love and effort that my wife and our family were shown,” he said. Don Hardegree Don Hardegree has been a resident of Montgomery for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Polly, cele- brated their 50th wedding anniver- sary back in No- vember. The Hardegrees have one son and two grandchildren. As an active part of the community, Hardegree has served on a few boards, in- cluding the Montgomery YMCA and Camp Smile-A-Mile. Camp Smile-A-Mile helps families with children with cancer as they navigate their journey. He is now retired after working as trainer and supervisor in the risk management di- vision of a major underground utility lo- cating company. In 2016 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery to re- move the cancer. Since surgery he has been cancer-free for more than three years. One of his best friends’ wife was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is cur- rently undergoing treatment. “I think re- search is the key to curing this awful dis- ease,” Hardegree said. “Research takes money. I want to help raise as much money as possible to help find a cure.” Darryl Hood Darryl Hood is a native of Los An- geles, California. He knew from a young age he wanted to be a broadcast journal- ist. He is the week- night news anchor for Alabama News Network on CBS 8 and ABC 32. Hood is an accomplished award-winning broadcast journalist with two decades of experience as a news anchor and reporter. A benefit of his career is he’s had the op- portunity to live in several cities across the country, including Las Vegas, Denver, Mem- phis, Columbia, South Carolina, andMont- gomery. Along the way he’s made lifelong friends in each of the cities he’s lived in. He has served the Montgomery viewing area since 2014. Since arriving, he has cov- ered stories on issues that matter to the people who call this area home. As a mem- ber of the River Region United Way mar- keting committee, he has met many people dedicated to serving others in the area. He enjoys discovering what the River Region offers and sharing these stories along the way. Hood has been fortunate to not have been directly affected by cancer himself or any of his family members. Even so, he knows that could change in the future. “Raising funds to help people who do need the American Cancer Society’s services is important,” he said. “Just because breast cancer has not affected anyone I know per- sonally, it affects millions of people, and that makes it all of our responsibility to help find a cure.” Reed Ingram Reed Ingram is the third-genera- tion auto dealer of his family, his grandfather hav- ing started Jack In- gram Motors a generation ago. He was born and raised in M o n t g o m e r y County, where he has spent most of his life, happily married to his wife, Karen, for 37 years. They have two sons and are expecting their first grandchild in September. At the age of 21 he started his first busi- ness, subsequently followed by four other successful enterprises. Today Ingram serves as president of Reed Ingram Motors. In 2004 his life took a sharp turn. He was elected to the Montgomery County Commission where he worked devotedly for 10 years. Discovering that politics pro- vides a wider area of service, in 2014 he was elected to represent District 75 in the Alabama House of Representatives, where he still tries to help solve problems. The Ingrams also manage SweetCreek Farm Market, selling local produce. As a farmer himself he devotes time and energy to persuade people to support what neigh- boring farmers are offering. Ingram’s connection to cancer comes through a sister-in-law who is a breast can- cer survivor. “I am not only excited but humbled that I have the opportunity to be involved in this campaign,” he said. “This is such a great cause and the awareness it brings is invaluable.” Michael Jernigan Jr. Michael Jerni- gan Jr. was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Montgomery to attend Alabama State University on a golf scholarship and earned a de- gree in Business Management. “While attending ASU, I met my beautiful wife of 14 years, Ruby,” he says. After college he joined the Fortune 100 company Coca-Cola in 2003, working in marketing and sales. Several years later he joined the management team at Sam’s Club, where he is employed now. The Jernigans are parents to two boys, Michael and Tyler. They attend True Divine Baptist Church and are very active mem- bers. In his spare time, he enjoys taking the boys hunting, fishing, playing golf and roller skating. Several years ago, he lost his favorite aunt, Andrea Young, to breast cancer. She fought the disease very courageously before losing the battle at the young age of 33. He was very close to his aunt, so losing her at an early age made a significant impact on him and his family. Since then, other members of his family and friends have been diag- nosed with cancer. “This is why this cause is so important to me,” he said. “Finding a cure is my ultimate goal in hopes that no one else will have to go through losing a favorite person in their life.” He continued, “I’m honored to be amongst this prestigious group of gentle- men to assist in increasing the awareness and raising money for a great cause.” 34 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com