It's easy to ignore cancer unless you've been touched by it. Fact is, the next diagnosis could be you, a parent, sibling, close friend, or your child. Are you going to wish you had done more to find a cure? Act now! You'll have no reason to say "I wish I'd done more" later.
Sherry Anne Warner (Guthrie), The Woman Behind the Team
Even though Sherry is no longer physically with us, she is the driving force of the Relay For Life Team Sherry's Hope For Others. Through her life, illness, and even departure from our lives, she has taught, mentored, and molded us through her own behaviors.
Although she complained about the pain and physical symptoms, we never heard her complain about having cancer. What you would hear her say was "I'm glad it's me and not you." and "I wish they'd find a cure for this so others wouldn't have to suffer this way."
Sherry participated in the Relay For Life Laclede County Missouri Group long before her diagnosis. The Relay events and support she provided were very important to her. She donated both monetarily and physically as long as her cancer allowed her to do so.
In her memory, and because of the lessons learned from her, we have created this team. So that "others wouldn't have to suffer this way".
We are Sherry's Hope For Others Relay For Life Team and we are Continuing Mom's Tradition.
Telina Bohannon, 1st Daughter of Sherry Warner.
I watched my 58 year old mother go from a healthy, active, vibrant woman to a bed-ridden skeleton who couldn't stand the slightest touch. She died 4 months before her 60th birthday.
I watched her lose her dignity one set back at a time. I watched her go from walking on her own, to using a wlker, to a wheelchair she could barely stand to sit in, to having to be lifted to and from her bed, to having to be turned in bed because she couldn't do it for herself.
She went from a very stylish, well dressed, prim and proper woman to being forced to wear diapers and t-shirts.
Cancer took her life. Cancer took her dignity. Cancer took everything from her except her faith and her will to live.
Cancer took my Mother. Cancer took my daughter's Grandmother. Cancer took away the family Christmas's, the shopping trips, the get-togethers. Cancer took the very heart of our family.
After seeing first-hand what my brave, strong Mother went through, and knowing that my sisters and I, and our children, have a very real possibility of suffering that same fate, I have to DO something.
I can never forget watching my Mother suffer and I cannot bare the thought that my daughter will someday go through what my Mother did.
Something has to be done, and I need your help. Our team needs your help. Your loved ones need your help. Let's work together to stop the suffering!
Lissa Uder, 2nd Daughter of Sherry Warner. If you listen to conversation, every where you go you'll hear someone talk about somebody they know with cancer. Maybe even themselves.
When I was doing clinicals as a nursing student, I didn't understand why my instructors kept assigning me this one particular patient that was dying from the disease. On the day of graduation, it was explained to me that I not only had a way with the dying patient, but with her husband and young children.
Throughout my career as a nurse, the trend continued. My assignments always included a terminally ill patient, usually due to cancer. One by one, I kept them comfortable as I watched their families suffer along side of them. Each day I went home, knowing I should feel satisfied that I had done everything I could to help these people. But in reality, I knew there was something more. I just didn't know what. When the endless suffering became too much for me to handle, I left the field of nursing.
It was just over a year later when Mom was diagnosed. It was during her battle that I began to truly understand what this disease does to the victim and their family. For the patient, it destroys not only your body, but your dreams. It robs you of your life and your dignity. It shreds every bit of your hopes and feeling of self worth.
Somehow, this disease has to be stopped. We have to find a cure and end the suffering. So...For my mother (Sherry Warner), my late mother-in-law (Patricia Bolling-Deceased), Granny (Juanita Uder-Survivor), Aunt (Darlene Ritchie-Deceased), every patient I've cared for, everyone touched by these people, those I don't even know, and the future of our children, I'm joining the fight against cancer.
We will help find a cure. We will help end the pain. Even if it's a penny at at time.
Stefanie Sexton, 3rd Daughter of Sherry Warner.
“Good Morning Sunshine!” Momma’s voice chirped from the other end of the phone.
“Good Morning Momma,” I mumbled with tired eyes with a cup of coffee in hand. We chat about the prior day’s events, mischievous things my children had done, and what the new day shall hold. My hope for a sunny day has been washed away with the falling rain.
“It’ll all be okay,” she encourages me. “I love you, hon..”
I joined Sherry’s Hope for Others in HOPEs that our FIGHT AGAINST CANCER will lead to one less person loosing a loved one, one less person (and family) going through the physical and emotional pain that Cancer brings, one less person being unaware of the signs of illness.
The impact of Momma’s lost battle made me realize that I have sat idly by, whining about things of no importance and wasting time doing nothing. In the moments of her sickness there were times that I could not erase her pain, make her smile, or even have the strength to look into her eyes knowing her weakening body was about to fail…. There is one thing that I can do! I can focus my idle time and energy on helping find THE CURE! WILL YOU JOIN ME?
Buck Bohannon, Husband of Telina Bohannon
Being a member of this team is my small way of helping others who are dealing with cancer.
Michael Uder, Husband of Lissa Uder
It's difficult to watch as anybody fights the battle of cancer. My Granny went through it a few years ago and it was pretty rough. For her, things turned out okay.
I started dating my wife around the same time her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was hard to see what the cancer did to such an active woman and the people that love her. Sherry was one of the unlucky ones. One of the victims that suffered beyond any torture you could imagine.
When out in public, you see someone with cancer and most people just hang their head to avoid eye contact. You feel bad for them but don't know what to say or do. So you do nothing. I know, because until I had the opportunity to join Sherry's Hope For Others, that is exactly what I did.
I can't imagine my wife, my mother, my sisters, or daughter going through what Sherry went through. This is my way of helping to find a cure before it's too late.
Ciera Bohannon, Daughter of Telina, 4th Grandchild of Sherry Warner.
I am taking part in the Relay For Life because my Grandmother passed away from breast cancer. And I am doing it in her honor & memory. And also to help people everywhere who are stgruggling with cancer.
Alissa "Nikki" Bolling, Daughter of Lissa, 2nd Grandchild of Sherry Warner.
I joined Sherry's Hope For Others Relay For Life Team because many people I love have or have had cancer. Some I have lost and some I am lucky to still have.
I would not only like to help the ones in my life who have cancer, but also other people who can't help the ones they love who suffer every day as well as all the people who have cancer in general.
I know how it feels to have lost someone you care about to cancer and I would like to try and prevent as many people as I can from having to feel that.
"Nikki" Booker, Sister of Alissa & Family of Sherry's Hope For Others.
I joined this team because although we may not be blood family, I want to be there for everyone. This family has been there for me any time I need them, whether it be emotionally or allowing me to live with them.
I am very thankful for all of them and would do anything to support each member. I saw how hard it was for them when Sherry was suffering and how hard it still is today. I don't want to see this kind of pain again and am proud to help them fight for a cure.
Tate Henson, Son of Stefanie, 3rd Grandchild of Sherry Warner.
I am PROUD TO WEAR PINK to support the cause! Guy’s, MEN ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HAVING BREAST CANCER TOO!
I am joining team Sherry’s Hope For Others so I can carry on NaNa’s Fight against Cancer. NaNa may have lost her personal fight against Breast Cancer, but hopefully our team can help make a difference!
Bree Anne Sexton, Daughter of Stefanie, 5th Grandchild of Sherry Warner.
My name is Bree Sexton, and I am going to be a member of team “Sherry’s Hope For Others” because of my Grandma Sherry. She always helped out with the Relay for Life sponsored by her workplace. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on August 21, 2007, on her Birthday. She was a hard worker, and that’s what motivates me. She was a fighter till the end.
I still believe she is with us every step of the way. She put up one heck of a fight, and I believe that with support, others could be strong to fight, or even overcome their battle.
I've had my own issues in life, and I know how hard things can be. I am fourteen years old and this problem I have makes me feel terrible, and I'm scared of what it could lead to when I am older. Cancer may not happen to me, or to you, but what about a loved one? A friend?
We only have one life to live, and it's getting a lot harder as the years pass. Just don't give up hope. Even if you don't know the person, give them hope. And also, have hope for others...For a Cure!
Tara Brake, Daughter of Stefanie, Youngest Grandchild of Sherry Warner.
I joined the Relay For Life team because my Grandma died from Breast Cancer. And so we can raise money for a cure. And to help everybody who has cancer.
