Kamy Smelser

Recently Published

FOX 2 •

Hear how one woman lost 200 pounds to save her heart

ST. LOUIS — February is American Heart Month and Patricia Brothers is spreading awareness about the #1 killer of women: heart disease. Due to her weight, Brothers was diagnosed with Afib, a type of abnormal heartbeat and high blood pressure. She was determined to make a change and lost 200 pounds to save her heart.

You too can help raise awareness and save lives against heart disease by visiting GoRedForWomen.org
FOX 2 •

Sudden cardiac arrest survivor shares her story and how two nurses saved her life

ST. LOUIS — Linda Dickson was dropping off her kids at school, thinking nothing of a small headache, until that headache quickly turned into a sudden cardiac arrest. Without the help of two nurses and their ability to perform CPR on Dickson, she would not be alive today.

The American Heart Association says bystander CPR can double or even triple the chances of survival during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Join Dickson and the American Heart Association during the month of February by raisi
FOX 2 •

Hear how one woman discovered she had heart disease

ST. LOUIS — Corvonne White experienced pain in her shoulder for two weeks. It wasn’t until her doctor told her to visit the emergency room that she realized she was having a heart attack.

As a woman who has survived heart disease, White is now helping raise awareness with the American Heart Association. You can help too by wearing red next Friday, February 2 and raising awareness about the number one killer of women.

FOX 2 and KPLR 11 are proud sponsors of Go Red for Women.
FOX 2 •

Over 5,000 children in need receive toys from The Salvation Army

From bikes to big box toys, the Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis passed out joy in St. Ann this week. They gave out donated gifts to thousands of local children and families in need at their Angel Tree distribution center.

“The Salvation Army has the simple mission of saving the world, but we realize that we can’t do that by ourselves, and today’s distribution is a perfect example of that. It’s because of the generosity and the giving spirit of our community that were able to meet these need
FOX 2 •

Over 35 Missouri high schools represented at All-Star Football Game

On Saturday, the sun was shining over Missouri Baptist University Spartan Field for the American Cancer Society All-Star Game.

Over 35 Missouri high schools were represented all coming together to raise money for the American Cancer Society and their efforts to support cancer patients and research.

“The money that is brought in from this event is going to help cancer patients not just for looking and finding a cure but also to help them in some of their immediate needs and helping them live lo
FOX 2 •

Sparkly shoes and a fairy costume: How one woman celebrates hope at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Meet Sara Gottman, a woman who lost her father to Alzheimer’s in 2017 and now walks in his memory at this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Gottman will lead the Edward Jones team in purple sparkly shoes and a fairy costume as she aims to spread joy throughout the event.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s takes place this Saturday, October 28th at the Chesterfield Amphitheater.

FOX 2 and KPLR 11 are proud sponsors of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
FOX 2 •

The fight against prostate cancer: Henry Robinson Jr. ‘s story

Meet Henry Robinson Jr. a prostate cancer survivor and member of The Empowerment Network, a local organization that supports men facing prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with this disease during their lifetime.

The Empowerment Network will partner with the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk this Saturday, September 30th to support men and their families fighting prostate cancer and honor the lives that were taken by this disease.

FOX 2 and KPLR
FOX 2 •

KTVI/KPLR helps NCJWSTL prepare for “Back to School Store”

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

While many students are on summer break, the National Council of Jewish Women is preparing for their “Back to School Store.” The store supports thousands of local students in need of school necessities from backpacks and books to winter coats and shoes.

In celebration of KTVI and KPLR parent company’s Nexstar 27th Annual Founder’s Day, stat

Unpublished Work

Magazine Writing Class •

Stuck in a hula hoop: How children's ballet schools reopened their doors for in-person classes

“Can you blow up your bubble for me?” Misha Woodward asks her two-year-old ballet students. “That's our special bubble; we don't want to pop our friends' bubbles. We've got to keep them extra safe.”

These ballet students dressed in their poofy tutus, perfect ballerina buns and face masks sit criss-crossed on their pink polka-dot taped to the floor that’s designed to keep them six feet from other students.

Ms. Misha, as her ballerinas call her, sits on the opposite side of the lavender and bubblegum pink colored room as she directs her students to stretch out as they prepare an imaginary pizza.
College Newspaper Workshop Class •

'We're surviving:' How parents of children with special needs adjusted to the initial shutdown

Chicago parent Ali Goodman was able to deftly juggle career and family responsibilities until the coronavirus outbreak thrust her into a situation requiring all of her attention and energy.

“We’re surviving,” said Goodman, mother of six-year-old Jackson who was diagnosed with autism at age three and two-year-old Jordan. “How are we more tired now than we were before? They require more brain power to keep them entertained all day.”

Goodman is one of a number of Chicago parents who were turned into homeschool teachers of their children with special needs by the pandemic. Tackling challenges such as adjusting to a new routine and juggling being a mom, remote working, now homeschool teacher and personal therapist.