People who know Sherry Heart know her warm smile and her loud, room-filling laugh.  They know her generosity and her sense of humor.  And, they know that she is a diet and exercise fanatic, to say the least.  She exercises regularly and she is the person people come to when they want advice about vitamins or supplements – which makes this request both ironic and difficult. 

It was a complete shock when doctors recently found a tumor in Sherry’s colon and diagnosed her with colon cancer.  At the time of the diagnosis, the tumor was localized, and Sherry hoped that her healthy lifestyle, combined with medical treatment, would prevent the disease from spreading.  Nonetheless, recent tests revealed that the cancer has spread.  The tumor, located in Sherry’s sigmoid colon, is now the size of large plum.  Additionally, the cancer has spread into the local lymph nodes near the tumor.  According to the doctors, the cancer is at stage 3 or 4.  Sherry is now at the point where she must have surgery. 

Sherry is scheduled for surgery in mid-April at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  Dr. Julio Garcia-Aguilar and his team will perform a robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery in which they plan to remove approximately one foot of her colon and reattach the remaining ends.  But the surgery is only part of the long struggle ahead.

Sherry lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works as a freelance hairdresser in film and television.  As a freelancer, she moves from project to project and does not have regular employment.  If a freelancer is unable to work, she does not get paid.  
 
As a result of medical costs thus far, Sherry’s savings are depleted.  Additionally, we anticipate that she will not be able to work for several months following the surgery while she heals and undergoes further treatments.  While we are confident that her attitude and health knowledge will lead her to a full recovery, she needs time to rest and heal and this means time away from work. 

We are seeking financial donations so that Sherry can pay for rent, utilities, food and further medical costs while she is recovering after surgery.  Knowing that her bills are paid and that she is not in danger of losing her apartment will be a big weight off of her mind and will allow her to focus her energy on healing.  The decision to make this request was not made easily, but it is necessary at this point.  

Sherry thanks you, deeply, for any support you can offer. 

Sherry’s health care proxy is her ex-husband, Jason Eldridge.  You can reach Jason at [phone redacted] or [email redacted].  He will be in contact with the doctors during and after the surgery.  Alesha Oak will also be helping out and fielding emails.  Her email address is [email redacted].