In this episode of “I Am Lakeland,” host Don Burns is joined by Katie Rader, author of You Don’t Need Headlights to Shine, and Patricia Uiterwyk, a local business owner and board chair for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida (BCFCF). The conversation is a deeply personal and inspiring look at the reality of a breast cancer diagnosis and the vital importance of local community support.
Katie shares her journey from being a lifelong Plant City resident and veteran hair stylist to becoming an author. After her diagnosis in 2022, Katie began journaling her experiences in her phone’s notes app to keep her friends updated. Those raw, honest entries eventually caught the attention of a publisher, leading to her book which offers a day-by-day account of her fight, her faith, and the lessons she learned along the way.
Whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, or someone looking to make a tangible difference in the Lakeland area, this episode highlights how transparency, integrity, and local action can transform lives. 122
