Cheryl Cook Gill Resource Center
Unveiled at Tanner Breast Health

Through a naming gift to Tanner Medical Foundation, the Gill family has dedicated the Cheryl Cook Gill Resource Center at Tanner Breast Health in her honor, in appreciation for Cheryl’s care and treatment. The dedication was unveiled as Tanner Health System celebrated the spring opening of Tanner Breast Health in Carrollton.

On an ordinary day in 2002, Cheryl Gill went for her annual mammogram at Tanner Women’s Center. She had just visited her gynecologist and had her annual breast exam. Everything appeared fine, as usual.

Several days later, she received a call that she needed additional testing. This was not alarming to her as she had been called back for this type of recheck before. This time, however, there was a little lump. She was still not alarmed. It was probably a cyst. She just wanted it taken care of so she could get back to her family and, of course, playing tennis.

But, this small lump, almost undetectable, had a huge impact. A biopsy showed it was malignant, and it was aggressive. When she heard the news, the words just seemed to pass over Cheryl. Surely, they were not talking to her. She couldn’t have breast cancer. This must be a bad dream.

Given her medical background and training, Cheryl knew all too well the reality of the situation, however. She was previously a specialist in hematology, a registered medical technologist and supervisor for the lab for the Army at Fort Benning, Ga. She also taught hematology for six years as an assistant professor at Columbus State University. She knew what she had to do to determine if she would live or die.

She began researching her disease, discussing options, and determining a treatment plan with her doctors. After having a sentinel node biopsy, she underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments at the Roy Richards, Sr. Cancer Center. During that time, she got to know the staff members who cared for her. In fact, they became good friends. Also greatly important to Cheryl, she was able to stay close to home for her treatment.

Today, Cheryl is cancer free. Everyday, her family is thankful to the doctors and nurses at Tanner who helped her through what could have been a life-ending disease. In appreciation for her care and treatment, the Gill family has dedicated the Cheryl Gill Resource Center at Tanner Breast Health in her honor.

Research was a big part of Cheryl’s successful treatment plan. It gave her hope. Hence, it is the Gill family’s desire that others will benefit from the cancer educational resources now available at Tanner Breast Health.

Denise Taylor, President/CEO of Tanner Medical Foundation believes the tribute chosen by the Gill family is very appropriate for Cheryl. “She is a phenomenal woman who does so much for other people. Through her experience with breast cancer, she learned how beneficial researching and learning can be for a cancer patient. Through this tribute gift, her experience will now be a blessing to others.”

CTA
For more information about Tanner Breast Health, located in the West Georgia Specialty Center, 157 Clinic Avenue, Carrollton, please call 770.836.9721. For more information about naming gift opportunities, please call Tanner Medical Foundation at 770.836.9871.