The Official FOX 9 Newsroom Blog

So often our job in the news is to report the bad news - a tragic accident reminding drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts, a fatal stray bullet reminding us to work to clean up our streets and fight gang violence, a brutal inhumane act reminding us to protect ourselves and our loved ones.  While we hope lessons accompany our tragic reports, we live for the stories of human resilience, generosity, tenacity - the stories that show the trials and triumph of human spirit.  We live for stories like that of brother and sister Steve Urick and Lisa Edberg.

I had the honor of becoming a small part of Steve and Lisa's lives for the past month.  They invited me into their relationship, sharing childhood stories, laughs, and tears.  Just sitting with these two extraordinary people is enough to brigthen anyone's day, but how they've dealt with adversity is nothing short of inspirational.

10 years ago Steve was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that gradually attacks the liver until it can no longer function.  Steve and Lisa both knew he would need a transplant and that many don't survive waiting for an organ.   Instead of supporting him from the sidelines, Lisa donated over half of her own liver to her brother - giving him a new shot at life.  Knowing their relationship, Steve would have done the same in a heartbeat.

That kind of selflessness, that optimism and resilience is a breath of fresh air in this business of difficult news.  It reminds viewers that there are beautiful people in the world, and it inspires journalists like us to keep going.

-Cortney Dirks