In June of 2019, John and Danielle Imbaratto’s lives changed as John was diagnosed with stage 3C testicular cancer. It all began with discomfort and noticeable swelling, which was first brushed off but persisted to a level that could not be ignored. John’s wife, Danielle, encouraged him to get examined, and coincidentally, John already had a routine physical scheduled. Before his physical exam, John took his daughter to soccer practice as usual, but things started to unravel when his truck broke down on the way to the doctor. Still, he made it to the appointment, unaware of just how significant the visit would become. After John mentioned the discomfort, the doctor immediately sent him to get an ultrasound. John noticed the quietness of the room during the ultrasound, but assumed that it was normal. He left the office and waited for results. But when the doctor called, he didn’t give the news over the phone, instead, he asked John to come in to talk.

When John and Danielle arrived, the doctor’s office was already closed for the day, so they were brought in through the back door. “We believe you have cancer,” the doctor revealed the news. And just like that, with one sentence, their world was turned upside down. “We were in shock,” John explained, “everything happened so quickly after that.” John was 39 years old at the time and the typical age range for the type of cancer he was diagnosed with is 18-40. The next day, he met with a urologist who delivered more urgent news, surgery would need to happen the very next day. The cancer was aggressive, one of the fastest-growing in men.

In the chaos of scheduling surgeries and processing the diagnosis, John and Danielle faced the emotional weight of telling their five children and loved ones what was happening. Though the diagnosis changed their lives, it didn’t stop them. John continued to work through most of his treatment, enduring four months of chemotherapy and a blood transfusion. And through it all, their community rallied behind them. John shared, “Friends brought meals, loved ones and even strangers came together to organize a benefit for us, and we truly felt wrapped in the arms of our community.”

As their journey continued, John and Danielle found out about Sherry’s Hope through some local friends. “The Patient Assistance Director, Alisa, could not have been kinder to us as we navigated the most difficult time in our lives,” Danielle reflected. “The assistance we received from Sherry’s Hope with medical bills meant so much to us.” John and Danielle were private at first about talking about John’s diagnosis, however in a tight-knit community, that is hard to do. John explained, “We didn’t really share a lot with people because we didn’t want them feeling sorry for us, but God took over and showed us that people genuinely just wanted to help.” The love and support from the community continued as many joined John and Danielle at Sherry’s Run 5K Run/Walk, sporting t-shirts picturing a walnut with the hashtag #CheckYourNuts. Danielle shared, “Over 100 people bought shirts to show their support! Many of them were worn at Sherry’s Run, and some of them made it all the way to another race in Boston. People just kept showing us that even though it was so hard, we were not in it alone!”

While John was going through treatments, he began to notice how deeply it also impacted his wife, “Caretakers are going through a very similar process as the cancer patient. My wife felt all the same things I did emotionally, I was just the one who physically had the disease.” After successfully completing four months of chemotherapy, John was scheduled to get scans every three months to monitor any signs of cancer. In December of 2024, John received the news that he and his wife had been hoping and praying for: there was no active cancer present. Now, John only has to get scans once a year! “I was excited and relieved,” John remarked. “I want to encourage anyone who may hear my story to get checked out if you feel like something is wrong! Don’t be embarrassed- there is nothing to be embarrassed about.” After receiving the big news, John and Danielle joined the people who had walked with them every step of the way for a celebration at Town Square Social, right in the heart of the community that had loved them through the storm!

            Today, John and Danielle are busy pouring the love they received back into the community! Danielle stated, “We knew that once we recovered from this hardship, we wanted to give back to Sherry’s Hope!” John and Danielle have attended The Sherry’s Hope Gala by sponsoring through Danielle’s business, Cedar City Title, for a few years now- donating funds back to the organization that was there when they needed help and offering encouragement to those who are facing similar circumstances. When asked what message she would like to give to other caregivers, Danielle shared, “Sometimes you need to draw the line and don’t be afraid to set boundaries, people will understand. Take the necessary steps to protect your mental health and the patient’s, but also know when it’s time to reach out for help.”

This June marks six years since John’s diagnosis and is a powerful reminder during Cancer Survivor Month that no one has to face cancer alone. At Sherry’s Hope, we are honored to be a part of John and Danielle’s journey, a story of courage and the incredible strength of community. As John so often says, “God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.”

If you are currently walking through your own cancer journey, Sherry’s Hope is here so you do not have to do it alone. Sherry’s Hope is a Christian, non-profit organization that works throughout the year to provide hope to families battling cancer in Wilson County and surrounding communities by offering emotional encouragement and financial assistance. To learn more about Sherry’s Hope, please call 615-925-2592. To refer someone for assistance, please call 615-925-9932 or email help@sherryshope.org. To make a donation to Sherry’s Hope, click here or mail donations to Sherry’s Hope, P.O. Box 8, Lebanon, TN 37088-0008.