Sherry’s Story

Unshakeable faith.  The courage to smile in the face of an uncertain future.  An ongoing desire to serve,comfort and help.  These are some of the qualities that caused a 44-year-old wife and mother of two to touch the lives of people in her community, and they continue to motivate others to finish a race that she began.

In February 2003, Sharon “Sherry” Patterson Whitaker began to experience discomfort in her side.  With no real sense of urgency, she visited a nurse practitioner several weeks later, at the encouragement of a friend.  She was hospitalized immediately.  A few days later, on a Friday, the diagnosis was made. Sherry had a deadly form of colon cancer known as adenocarcenoma.

Sherry and her husband, Gary, discussed their options with physicians, and she began an aggressive treatment plan that included surgery and three rounds of chemotherapy. She would not listen to the discouraging reports and trusted her husband to make the decisions surrounding her treatment. In spite of valiant efforts and a positive outlook, Sherry Whitaker lost her battle on May 12, 2004.

There was an outpouring of love and appreciation by those who know Sherry. A few weeks after her passing, a close friend approached Gary with an idea about honoring her friend that could also help fight the deadly disease that took her life. He talked the idea over with their sons, Tyler and Matthew, and with Sherry’s parents. The desire of the family and close friends to take action led to a 5K Run/Walk to benefit the research and treatment of colon cancer, and Sherry’s Run was born.

Over the years that one-time, grassroots 5K event grew into a Christ centered, non-profit organization called Sherry’s Hope; operating year-round to offer financial assistance to families in Wilson County (TN) and the surrounding communities who are fighting cancer.

If you would like to learn more about Sherry’s Hope, please contact our office. For Patient Assistance, please call 615-925-9932 or email: help@sherryshope.org. For general information, event information, or event sponsorship information, please call 615-925-9932 or email: info@sherryshope.org.

If you would like to support our mission as we strive to share the Hope of Christ and serve our community, click here to donate online. Donations can also be mailed to: Sherry’s Hope, P.O. Box 8, Lebanon, TN 37088.

Sherry’s Hope is a 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Donations are tax deductible under section 170 of the code. 

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In Memory of Sharon “Sherry” Patterson Whitaker

Husband – Gary Whitaker & 2 sons Matthew & Tyler Whitaker

Born: September 12 1959

Died: May 12, 2004

Her battle lasted 12 months & 12 days.

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