For five years, Tommy Wilson has faced prostate cancer with faith, determination and the support of his wife, Sherry. Today, the Virginia church elder and avid bass fisherman is helping others find hope—and a path to care—through City of Hope Atlanta. When Tommy Wilson talks about his cancer journey, he rarely says "I." Instead, he says "we." "We've been on this journey together," Tommy says, glancing toward his wife of nearly 53 years, Sherry.
"It's always been we." That simple word captures the spirit of Tommy's story. At 71 years old, the Ridgeway, Virginia, resident has faced heart disease, cancer, multiple surgeries and years of treatment. Through it all, he has relied on his faith, his family and the care team at City of Hope Atlanta. Today, Tommy is a five-year cancer survivor, a 2025 Celebrate Life honoree and one of Walk for Hope's most passionate ambassadors.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Tommy's journey began in 2019 when routine bloodwork showed his PSA levels continuing to climb. A biopsy confirmed prostate cancer. Because of a previous triple bypass surgery and other health complications, his treatment options were limited. He underwent 40 rounds of radiation close to home, but his PSA continued to rise.
"We knew something wasn't right," Tommy recalls. Then came what he describes as a sign. Tommy and Sherry repeatedly saw commercials for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, now City of Hope. While Philadelphia was hundreds of miles away, they decided it was time to step outside their comfort zone and seek another opinion. Within a week, they were on their way. Additional testing revealed that Tommy's cancer had not been fully addressed by his initial treatment. It was a turning point that ultimately changed the course of his care.
"It was the best decision we ever made," Tommy says of seeking care beyond his local community. In December 2020, Tommy underwent a salvage prostatectomy. While the road that followed included complications, additional procedures and ongoing monitoring, Tommy never lost sight of what mattered most. "Every morning I wake up and thank God for another day," he says. "I tell Him, 'I'm not going to have a bad day. My body might, but I'm not going to have a bad day.'"
Following Faith Beyond His Comfort Zone
For Tommy, the decision to seek care beyond his hometown wasn't just a medical choice—it was an act of faith. Living in a small Virginia town near the North Carolina border, Tommy and Sherry were accustomed to staying close to home. But when his treatment wasn't producing the results they hoped for, they felt called to take a different path. That path eventually led them to City of Hope Atlanta, where Tommy found a team he trusted. Today, the couple makes the sevenhour drive from Virginia to Georgia every three months for follow-up appointments.
"We wanted the best," Tommy says.
"And when we got there, we found more than great doctors. We found people who cared." Over the years, Tommy has developed relationships throughout the cancer center. He knows staff members by name, stops to visit departments throughout the hospital and often strikes up conversations with patients who may be facing their first visit. "The doctors, the nurses, the people at the front desk, even the cafeteria staff—they're all part of the journey," he says.
A Journey Built on "We"
Tommy credits much of his strength to the person who has been by his side every step of the way. "It's never been me," he says.
"It's always been we." That philosophy was reinforced during one of their first visits, when a patient advocate pointed out that Tommy never spoke about his diagnosis as an individual experience.
"He told us, 'You always say we,'" Tommy recalls.
"And that's because she's dealing with it, too." Whether it's navigating treatment decisions, making long trips to Atlanta or celebrating milestones together, Tommy and Sherry have approached cancer as partners. The couple married as teenagers and will celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary this year. Together, they have raised two sons, welcomed four grandchildren and built a life rooted in faith, family and service to others. For Tommy, caregivers deserve just as much recognition as patients. "They're carrying the burden, too," he says.
Helping Others Find Their Way
Tommy believes his cancer journey has a purpose beyond his own treatment.
"I really believe God has given me this cancer not for me, but to help others." As an elder at his church, he has become a trusted source of encouragement for others facing cancer diagnoses. Over the years, Tommy and Sherry have helped connect multiple friends, church members and neighbors to City of Hope Atlanta. Sometimes that means answering questions. Sometimes it means sharing their story. Sometimes it means meeting someone in the hospital cafeteria and helping ease their fears. One woman from Tommy's church was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. During one of his visits, Tommy surprised her while she was receiving treatment and helped introduce her to the City of Hope community. For newly diagnosed patients, Tommy offers the same message he gives everyone: "Don't be scared. God's got it."
Walking Beside Those Still Fighting
Tommy participated in his first Walk for Hope in 2025 and immediately knew he wanted to return. For him, the event was about much more than completing a route. It was about standing alongside people who understand the cancer journey. It was about honoring loved ones lost to the disease. And it was about creating hope for those who are still fighting. Shortly after losing his brother to cancer, Tommy dedicated his walk to his memory. He shared his story with family, friends and fellow anglers in the bass fishing community, raising funds to support City of Hope's mission. One of the most meaningful moments came when Tommy invited the woman from his church—the same woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer—to walk alongside him. Despite receiving chemotherapy the day before, she showed up.
"I told her I'd be honored to walk with her," Tommy says.
"And she did." Together, they completed the walk. "Every person out there is walking for somebody," he says. "It's not just a walk. It's a walk with a purpose."
Leading with Hope Every Day
Today, Tommy continues to fish competitive bass tournaments, spend time with his grandchildren and serve his church community. His days are filled with family, faith and gratitude. He and Sherry are still adjusting to the loss of Bandit, their beloved 16-year-old dog who accompanied them on many of their trips to City of Hope. They continue to cherish time with their grandchildren, including dance recitals, soccer, baseball, softball, family gatherings and everyday moments that might once have been taken for granted. Through it all, Tommy remains focused on the future. While his doctors continue to monitor his condition, he chooses not to dwell on uncertainty. Instead, he chooses hope. "When you go through something like cancer, you realize how precious every day is," he says. And as he prepares for another Walk for Hope, his motivation remains unchanged.
"If sharing my story helps one person get treatment sooner, helps one family find hope or helps move us one step closer to ending cancer, then it's worth it." For Tommy Wilson, that's what leading with hope looks like.