Be Happy Where You Are

Sherry Schumacher, Survivor 
Written by family friend, Mary Rekers

At the 2019 Pink Ribbon Run, Sherry Schumacher’s family shared Sherry’s story. These are Sherry’s words from 2016… “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2015. After discovering a lump, I went in for my (overdue) mammogram and then had a follow up biopsy at Waverly Health Center.

From there I was referred to the Mayo Clinic for chemotherapy and mastectomy and finished my treatments with 6 weeks of daily radiation at the Covenant Cancer Treatment Center. I plan to have reconstructive surgery later this year. My family has participated in the Pink Ribbon Run almost from the beginning…I have always wanted to support women going through cancer, but I never expected to be one of them!

This year’s Run will be quite a different one for me. In fact, one thought that kept me going during treatment was that I wanted to be able to run this race in October and start collecting my beads! I think the Pink Ribbon Run is great for the community because it shows the strength of so many women and those who have been their support systems as they go through their cancer experience. It also raises awareness of research being done and reminds women to get their checkups and screenings done.”

Sherry did collect her first strand of beads in 2016. In 2017, smiling brightly with 2 strands of beads, she was front and center in the Survivor’s photo holding a sign with the number 938, the years of survival represented that year. In March 2018, Sherry’s cancer returned…this time in her liver. At that time Sherry and her husband, Mark, contacted the Beyond Pink TEAM and received assistance for transportation costs back and forth to Mayo.

The fight was on again…but the outcome was quite different. Sherry lost her battle on April 11, 2018. She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, and friend and is missed every single day. Sherry’s faith was an important part of how she got through her cancer.

Her family would like to share two notes found in her Bible: The first next to Ecclesiastes 5:18 was “Be happy where you are.” The second next to Matthew 6:33-34 was “God will give us enough grace for today and fresh grace for tomorrow. Every day is a bonus!” This gives some insight into how Sherry lived her life and fought her fight.

She believed in promoting early detection and supporting those journeying through a cancer diagnosis. As a Team, we will continue to participate in the Pink Ribbon run and hold an annual fundraising garage sale as a tribute to Sherry’s memory. 

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