Sharon's Fight Against Cancer

In February 2023, our mom, Sharon Harrison-Rankin, was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The doctors said it had also spread to her bladder, but they were optimistic it was still treatable. She didn’t tell any of us until April. She knew her children and grandchildren had birthdays and spring travel plans on the horizon so, despite her excruciating pain, she chose to keep it a secret as long as she could. Though we wish she had told us right away, keeping it to herself was not at all surprising for our mom. Even on her worst days she’s still consumed with her concern for others, especially her family.

After months of doctor visits and endless tests, she had surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Then it was on to her first round of chemo and radiation treatments in early June. These are tough on anyone, but during the time she had been waiting for treatment to begin, she was basically unable to eat and had become extremely frail and weak. A few days after treatment she knew something was very wrong and went into the hospital. She spent 4 nights there and was treated for low sodium. The morning after she was released, she experienced major breathing issues and was rushed back to the hospital by ambulance.

She spent 4 nights in the ICU, where she received a blood transfusion and treatment for fluid on her lungs, which was caused by a minor heart attack she had suffered. She is currently stable, but extremely weak and working to gain the strength she needs to resume additional treatments for the cancer.

During this battle, our dad, David Rankin, has had to stop working to stay by mom’s side. Even with insurance, the medical bills and cost of care has become overwhelming.

Our parents have spent their lives, including 52 years of marriage, doing what they can to give back to their community and those in need. Our dad–better known as “Coach Rankin” by thousands of young athletes–has devoted 50 years of his life to coaching. From little league baseball in New Waterford to High School Baseball at Crestview; from Little Rebel Football to High School Football at Crestview, Springfield, East Palestine, and Lisbon, he had a passion for helping kids become better athletes and better people.

Now, after a lifetime of taking care of others, our mom needs her family to take care of her. We are extremely grateful for any small contribution to help her fight this battle.