Janis Reams Hudson is a long-time member of RWA.  She joined in the late 80s and has worked tirelessly at the state and national level almost from the start. 

A founding member of the state chapter, her service to OKRWA helped turn it into one of the most successful and well-respected chapters in RWA.  Janis’ contributions include helping write the by-laws, serving in multiple board positions including president, and creating the National Readers’ Choice Awards (NRCA) and helping to set up the first judges’ lists that have now expanded to nationwide judges from all fifty states.  Now in its 16th year, the NRCA is one of the most prized awards in the industry, and publishers have even used its logo on the covers of winning authors.  Members of OKRWA can also attest to the incredible mentoring Janis has provided over the years. Her sage advice on the writing life and the industry has helped many a new and aspiring author.

On the national level, Janis has served as a board member and president.  In 1999, she was honored by RWA with the Emma Merritt Award for national service. This award is “presented for the accumulated body of work a member has contributed as a volunteer to RWA. The award is not only for service to individual chapters, but is intended to honor major commitments of service to RWA” (from RWA’s web site).

As an author, Janis has received many acknowledgements of her skill as a writer. Some of her accomplishments include multiple finals in the RITA, winning the NRCA, and receiving multiple honors from RT. Since 1990, Janis has had over 35 titles published in romance.  She has devoted years of her life to the evolution and development of RWA as it stands today, and has many friends within t

he industry.

Now Janis needs our help. She has advanced, end-stage emphysema and is, at the present time, on a waiting list for a lung transplant.   Recently, she was in the hospital concerning the lung transplant. The medicine she was prescribed caused a serious reaction, and Janis almost died. She spent many days in ICU, but she held on and was eventually allowed to return home. However, since then, she has been back in the hospital again, trying to get oxygen levels at a point where she can be home and back on the portable ventilator, or her liquid oxygen system.  Her condition continues to worsen with each passing month.  Because of her condition and these extended stays in the hospital, her medical bills are skyrocketing.  This website is a conduit for getting donations to Janis’ medical expenses.  Below, you will find links to items generously donated by individuals and groups. People can place bids on the items.

We will add more as we receive them.

For more information about donating, please contact Peggy Beaty.

All funds go directly to Janis Reams Hudson for medical-related costs.  Though OKRWA members are volunteering their time to help raise funds for Janis, neither OKRWA nor these people are profiting in any way from this endeavor.