TROUSDALE COUNTY, TENN., August 31, 2012 – Michael Young had no idea that an accident at work would later lead to a diagnosis that would change his life.

Young was forced to file for disability after being unable to return to work following a fall. Three weeks after his insurance from previous employment ran out, he was diagnosed with cancer. Young credits Leslie Durham of the Trousdale/Wilson County Health Departments for referring him to a doctor who agreed that the swollen knots in his hand and arm needed further inspection and perhaps a biopsy. He had surgery on his hand, followed by a biopsy, after which the diagnosis turned out to be t-cell lymphoma.

Young’s wife, Tammy, worked at Gallatin’s Head Start and he was unemployed. Without health insurance and in need of chemotherapy, Young’s bills were growing quickly. He had to travel from Hartsville to Centennial hospital for his treatments. Sherry’s Run was able to provide gas cards for medical transportation to these treatments, as well as grocery cards for immediate living expenses. Most of the income from Young’s wife was going toward housing payments.

He says, “I didn’t have anyone to turn to. So I didn’t have choice but to ask Sherry’s Run for help, and they were an absolute God-send.”

This summer Tammy lost her job. Sherry’s Run aided the Young family further by assisting with high summer electricity bills. After the stress of treatment and the loss of his wife’s job, Young suffered a heart attack in July which resulted in surgery at St. Thomas hospital where two stints were inserted to improve blood flow to his heart.

Young has since completed his sixth and final round of chemotherapy and he is in remission. His strength and finances are improving and he has been approved for disability.

“Don’t give up. There were a lot of days I just wanted to sit down and say ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ There were several days when I didn’t have a clue what we were going to have for dinner, but something always came through,” said Young. And his persistence and positive outlook with the help of his family, friends, doctors and Sherry’s Run certainly did come through.

Young and his wife Tammy are extremely grateful for everything that Sherry’s Run has done and they hope to give back and volunteer with current patients and recipients.
He and his wife plan to attend the upcoming Sherry’s Run. Please join them for the ninth annual Sherry’s Run is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. in Lebanon, beside the main office of Wilson Bank & Trust, 623 West Main Street.  Log on to www.SherrysRun.org to sign up.

The mission of Sherry’s Run:  Through faith and love create an environment for all those affected by cancer, which provides hope, knowledge, assistance, support and compassion.  To learn more about Sherry’s Run please call 615-925-2592 or to refer someone who might qualify for assistance please call 615-925-9932 or visit www.sherrysrun.org.