A labor of love and pride is its own reward, but the staff of Quest is also fueled year-round by a steady supply of positive feedback from those were serving — our readers. Its also gratifying to hear from people aoutside of MDA that our magazine is making an impression. Im very pleased to announce that this spring Quest received three awards in national competitions that recognize the best in publications across the country.

A story in Quests February 2002 issue, called "Learning at Home," received a first-place award in the 50th annual Unity Awards in Media competition held by Lincoln University in Missouri. The article, by MDA Senior Writer Christina Medvescek, described the pros and cons of home schooling for children with neuromuscular diseases. It was honored in the education category of the competitions Print for Minority Audiences Division.

Other winning entries in the competition came from Newsweek, Time, The Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe and National Public Radio. Im extremely proud to see Quest take its place in such exalted company.

Just on the heels of that awards announcement, we learned that the entire February 2002 issue had earned a Crystal Award of Excellence designation in the Communicator Awards competition. This honor, the competitions highest award, puts Quest in the company of such other large-scale communicators as the American Cancer Society, the American Legion, Disneyland, Federal Express, the Journal of the American Medical Association, MasterCard International and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Another Medvescek article, "When Family Doesnt Understand," from the April 2002 issue, received a Communicator Award of Distinction in the same competition. This article explored how families of children with neuromuscular diseases deal with the attitudes of extended family members. It included a first-person sidebar by psychologist Al Freedman, father of a boy with SMA.

If you recall those articles and that outstanding issue (with a portrait of MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek on the cover), youll agree with the competition judges that they fully deserve such kudos. But Id argue that every issue of Quest is a winner. Your communications to us indicate Quests articles and ads help you solve problems, find products, make decisions, prepare for the future, keep hope alive and communicate with others.

I know you join me in congratulating the writers, editors, designers, artists, advertising sales staff and others who work on Quest, including those who maintain our mailing lists and put Quest online. You deserve only the best from your magazine and your association. Please keep the feedback — good and bad —coming our way, so we can keep important stories going out to you.

Robert Ross President & CEO