Billy (Eddie) Rose fight against cancer

Hi, my name is Theresa Hensley, and I’m Eddie’s next door neighbor.

In June, Eddie unexpectedly lost his wife to a sudden illness. Just six weeks later, Eddie became ill and was found to have a stage 4 lung cancer with metastasis to the throat and back. This most likely due to exposure to pesticides with a previous job as he’s never been a smoker.

Eddie is fairly new to his job with the Marion County Road Dept and was fortunate enough to fall just within eligibility for long term disability. However, those benefits don’t last as long as one would think and he will be expected to continue to pay his benefits while out of work.

Eddie and Sherri (his late wife) had no children and no family here. He wasn’t able to give Sherri a funeral. His family is his neighbors. They were a paycheck to paycheck family like most are. Not only has he lost his spouses income but most of his own as well. He has a long road ahead. He has already started his radiation therapy and soon to start extensive chemotherapy and some surgeries. His biggest worry is losing his home. We are aiming initially to keep his mortgage payments going with utilities.

Our hearts are heavy. Eddie and Sherri would do anything for anyone in need and have always been such wonderful neighbors over the years. We just want to alleviate some of the tremendous stress he is under so he can focus on fighting this illness.