"In a letter to Congress addressing the challenges to North Carolina brought on by PFAS, Sargent wrote that her brother was "just one of potentially thousands more that have died or will die from diseases that our government could be protecting us from, by simply ensuring that polluting corporations are not treated with more respect and consideration than people like Grant, who served our country as a U.S. Marine and who saved lives as a Chicago firefighter." Thanks to Finya Swai, Medill News Service for this piece (fb)

A Message from our Executive Director, Dana Sargent Dear Cape Fear River Watch community, It is with a heart made heavy with gratitude that I share with you that next Friday, May 23 will be my last day serving as executive director of Cape Fear River Watch. I have accepted a position with Audubon as their director of community building, starting May 27. Cape Fear River Watch remains steady and strong, and a transition is in-the-works, guided by your trusted CFRW leadership, and I'll be here to help. This decision did not come easily or hastily for me. CFRW will always hold my heart, and I will forever be grateful for the growth and opportunities, both professionally and personally, that CFRW has graced me with. This is bittersweet as heck. This new role, I think, will allow me the privilege of focusing most of my time on the aspect of environmental protection that my time with CFRW has taught me is the most meaningful to me – working with the community. I know I would never have gained this knowledge, or the experience necessary to land this new adventure, without the help of the inspiring, fearless, loving, spirited and humbling community in and surrounding CFRW since I walked through the door – full of nerves as I recall – 12+ years ago to join the advocacy committee. While working myself ragged does come with a badge of honor to some extent, I have come to realize that I want more time for peace with loved ones in this short life of ours. I am hoping this shift brings that peace, while still fulfilling me through a new purpose in protecting our environment – for the birds! (I have so much to learn and I’m so dang excited about that!!) To my colleagues and community members in “PFAS land” – I am not giving up and I’ll be in touch. And I am nothing but grateful. Thank you to the amazing team members I’ve had the privilege of knowing, learning from, and I hope, guiding with grace over the past 7 years. Thank you to the community members who inspired me beyond my wildest imagination. Thank you to the badass advocates I have had the privilege of working with in this role and I look forward to continued professional collaboration and if not, continued friendship and connection. In the end, that’s what really matters. And to Kemp: thank you for being my best friend and anchor through the many shifts in the currents over all these years. A wise friend told me that if I am not sad about leaving something, that means it wasn’t meaningful. I am so very sad to go, and I’m happy that I’m sad – in recognition of how dang meaningful this time has been in my life. I will remain in town and will remain faithfully involved and supportive of CFRW. I’ll see y’all around! Gratefully, Dana (fb)