Photo: Getty Images
Cole Swindell shared a tribute to his late friend, philanthropist Sherry Pollex, who died after a nearly decade-long battle with ovarian cancer over the weekend. She was 44.
Swindell posted two photos with Pollex on Instagram on Thursday (September 21), including one as he wore a t-shirt that reads “Sherry Strong.” The award-winning country star penned a heartfelt message as a tribute to Pollex,and anticipated an emotional performance of his heartbreaking song “You Should Be Here” at his next show.
“I know i’m just one of many that misses you so much..I haven’t been able to bring myself to post anything because i don’t want it to be reality,” Swindell wrote in his caption on Instagram. “I knew the minute I met you it was for a reason. You’ve done things for me and my family I could never repay..I promise you I’ll always be there for yours. Gonna be tough getting through You Should Be Here tonight but I hope you hear it up there. I bet you’d say the same thing to us down here because I know we’re the ones missing out. Love You 🙏”
Pollex, a three-time ovarian cancer survivor, launched SherryStrong to help “advocate for and empower women, educate them on the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and provide a focus on holistic and integrative approaches to wellness in an effort to help millions of women worldwide,” reads SherryStrong. Pollex also raised funds to build the Sherry Strong Integrative Medicine Oncology Clinic at Novant Health’s new Weisinger Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“It is with great sorrow that our HERO, Sherry, quietly passed away on the morning of Sunday, September 17th,” reads a statement on Pollex’ Instagram account earlier this week, including Psalm 23:4 and requesting privacy for her family. “Although there are no words to express our sadness, we take solace in the fact that Sherry is no longer suffering and has been taken back in the arms of the Lord. As we all know, Sherry lived her life to the fullest, as she influenced thousands, if not millions of people through her own personal journey. Her love for her family, Catwalk kids who she adored, and her friends will last forever. Please join our family in thanking God for giving us Sherry, as she is such an incredible expression of love that will live on. We will continue her legacy of love and caring for those in need, as she will always be alive in our hearts.”
Pollex is survived by “her precious furbabies,” her parents, siblings and their spouses, nephews, stepmom, cousins and close friends, per SherryStrong, which states, “in lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor by visiting SherryStrong.org.”