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Kathy Piper: Choosing Joy in the Journey

A woman of faith, grandmother of six, and cancer survivor, Kathy Piper uses her story to encourage others any chance she gets. In 2022, Kathy discovered a lump on her stomach. While at the doctor to get a Covid test, she asked the doctor to look at the lump. What was first thought to be a benign cyst turned out to be a volleyball-sized tumor weighing 2.5 pounds. Kathy was soon diagnosed with a fast-growing, aggressive form of ovarian cancer, “That prognosis was earth-shattering,” she said. She realized her life was about to change forever.

Kathy went through surgery two weeks after the diagnosis and then received six rounds of chemotherapy treatments, experiencing horrible side effects from the chemo. Not only was Kathy physically fighting cancer, internally she was battling with something harder to see from the outside looking in. “No one talks about what you go through emotionally. I was so angry and did not understand why the life I loved so much was crashing down around me.” Kathy bravely shared the truth that so many people feel, but do not always share. She continued, “God gave us emotions. All of them. The anger, the fear, the confusion and the questions that are difficult to find answers to. We should not feel guilty about having them or feeling them. They are real and an integral part of our humanity. What God wants us to do with these emotions is to lay them at His feet and let Him turn them into something good!” Because she wrestled with her emotions, she now strives to live a life to encourage others who are going through a similar process.

Even as she wrestled with her emotions, Kathy relied solely on her faith in God through the whole process. Kathy explained, “There would have been no process if I didn’t have my faith.” She shared that when first diagnosed she asked God for three specific things throughout her journey. One of them being, that she wanted to fight with grace and dignity while having opportunities to share her story in such a way that would lift others up and display God’s love and compassion. Kathy chose a verse to cling to through her journey, often repeating Joshua 1:9 to herself as she started each day. “Be Strong, Be Brave. Do not be afraid. For the Lord our God is with you wherever you go,” with those words like a banner over her, Kathy finished her last round of chemo on July 7th, 2022 and is now cancer-free.

Kathy lives in awe of how her journey has given her just what she asked for- so many opportunities! She explained how she has been able to share her story with complete strangers countless times. Before her cancer diagnosis, Kathy could be found for many years at Sherry’s Run taking photos of teams getting ready to run in memory and honor of loved ones affected by cancer. And then, in 2022, she had a team in her honor at Sherry’s Run. Sporting shirts that said, “KP’s Prayer Warriors,” the team was formed by people in her life who sent cards and texts, brought food and prayed fervently for her. The next year, in 2023- Kathy walked by herself. Or, so she thought. Her friends and family were not able to make it to Sherry’s Run due to prior obligations, but Kathy decided she still wanted to walk. As she began the race she prayed, “God, help me to choose joy in this moment,” It wasn’t very long into her walk that she noticed a lady who seemed to be struggling and walking on her own. Kathy wrapped her arm around the lady’s shoulder and began to encourage her. They walked the whole SK together, sharing the highs and lows of their journeys. As they approached the finish line, they noticed another woman leaning on the last portion of the fence that seemed to be in pain. Kathy signaled the on-site paramedics who came to assist. This second lady shared that she really wanted to complete the race as she was so close to the finish line. With the medical team nearby and big smiles all around, Kathy and her new friend assisted the woman across the finish line.

Kathy’s journey impacted her in such a way that continues to impact everyone she meets. This year on September 14th, the community will rally together for the 21st Annual Sherry’s Run SK Run/Walk to benefit Sherry’s Hope which will be held in honor of Kathy Piper. To register for Sherry’s Run, click here. We hope that you will join us as we rally together to make a difference in the lives of families who are battling cancer in our community!


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. In addition, Sherry’s Hope works to spread colon health awareness by distributing free colon cancer screening tests and providing colonoscopy assistance.

To learn more about the Sherry’s Run SK event, visit www.sherrysrun.org, call 615-925- 2592, or email info@sherryshope.org. To learn more about Sherry’s Hope programs and services, click here, call 615-925-9932, or email help@sherryshope.org. To donate to Sherry’s Hope, visit www.sherryshope.org, or mail donations to Sherry’s Hope, P.O. Box 8, Lebanon, TN 37088-0008.