Widow Works to Make Life Better for Prostrate Cancer Families

By Jim Lisk, The Stanly News & Press, Albemarle, N.C.

Aug. 4–After losing her husband, Kenny, to prostate cancer three years ago today, Sherrie Ellenburg is on a crusade to make life better for wives whose husbands are waging the same battle.

Beginning September 2006, Sherrie began working with the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina to try and alleviate many of the frustration and difficult days that she and Kenny had experienced during his illness.

“There were times we didn’t even know how we would pay our house payment,” Sherrie, a Stanly County resident, says.

“The mortgage company was less than sympathetic as were other bill collectors and I knew that I needed to do something to make a difference. The last thing a man should worry about after being diagnosed with prostate cancer is how to keep a roof over his head or how to keep food on his table.

“Men are typically the breadwinners and very prideful. Prostate cancer has already taken so much away. Why should they have to worry about caring for their family, too? These are very real issues that we faced.”

Diagnosed with prostate cancer on Nov. 24, 2003, Kenny had no income until February 2005 when his disability was finally approved.

During that time, Sherrie was also dealing with her own undiagnosed ovarian cancer and her income ended in June 2004 when she became too sick to work.

For almost a year neither had any income and to make matters worse, the couple did not qualify for assistance because they did not have children.

“This is what has prompted me to help other families. I don’t want another wife to be told to she doesn’t qualify or ‘if your situation changes please call’ when you tell them you have no children,” Sherrie said.

“Government agencies do the best they can with what they are given. There are programs available out there that I hope to find for people in my situation.”

When presented the chance to go to Baton Rouge, La., Sherrie jumped at the chance and became part of a national organization — Women Against Prostate Cancer.

Launched on Dec. 6, 2007, the group has identified several projects, the first being the development of a directory of resources which will be accessible via the Web site www.womenagainstprostatecancer.org.

The directory will aid newly-diagnosed patients and their families and will give them information on the disease as well as direct them to agencies that can assist.

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