LEBANON, TENN. – November 14, 2014 – When making our list of blessings to be thankful for this year, good health probably is close to the top for most of us. For Bill Huber, the list is a bit different. Bill is thankful for the opportunities that cancer has given him to renew his faith and share it with those around him.

Bill has always been a very healthy and active person. Until just a few years ago, he played tennis, lifted weights and ran almost daily. So, when he began to lose weight and have difficulty swallowing, he immediately went to his doctor. In the process of being treated for reflux, the doctors discovered that Bill had stage 3 esophageal cancer.

Bill was raised in a Christian home and has always been a believer. “I have lived my life with one foot in the church and one foot in the world,” says Bill. “When I heard I had cancer, I decided it was time to put both feet in and totally trust God with my life.” Since his diagnosis, Bill has dedicated himself to sharing his faith and using his journey as an opportunity to show God’s mercy, grace and love.

Bill immediately began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Throughout the treatments, Bill was very ill. He found himself in the hospital frequently, but no one could seem to tell him why the treatments were making him this sick. While having a scan of his esophagus, the x-ray technician just happened to notice a spot at the base of Bill’s brain. They ordered further testing and discovered that he had a brain tumor that had been developing for several years.

Bill had the tumor removed and recovered quickly. In fact, his nurses were shocked at how quickly he was up and moving. Bill wasn’t surprised and gives God the glory for all of it. “I know it was because of all the prayers being said across the country on my behalf,” says Bill.

Bill’s employers, Wilson County Motors, were very supportive of him throughout the process. He worked when he was able, but because of his illness, they had mostly become dependent on his wife’s income. Bill’s boss, Mitchel Bone, told him about an organization called Sherry’s Run. Bill immediately contacted Tonyia, the Director of Patient Assistance, and began receiving gas and grocery cards. “It was just what we needed,” says Bill. “Tonyia was so concerned and supportive.”

In January, Bill was pronounced cancer free, but in March it resurfaced as stage 4. Bill is back in treatment, but still remains thankful and positive saying, “I believe God has a purpose for me. I plan on being here for a long time, but if God decides to take me, I know where I am going.”

Bill showed his thankfulness by giving back. The week of the Sherry’s Run 5K walk/run, Bill came out and volunteered his time to make the event successful. “The people at Sherry’s Run are so loving, caring and concerned,” says Bill. “It is a wonderful organization and I just want to help anyway that I can.”

“Bill has been an inspiration to me since I first met him,” says Tonyia. “I am so thankful that Sherry’s Run has had the opportunity to serve him.”

During this Thanksgiving season, Sherry’s Run encourages you to be thankful for good health and for the opportunity that each of us has to serve our neighbors who are battling cancer.

Your support allows us to assist cancer patients 52 weeks a year with gas, groceries, utility bills, housing payments, prescription assistance, health insurance premiums, medical bills, and colonoscopy assistance.

To learn more about Sherry’s Run, please call 615-925-2592. To refer someone who might qualify for assistance, please call 615-925-9932 or visit www.sherrysrun.org.