American stock car racer Martin Truex Jr. first gained public attention after he emerged as the champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2004. He subsequently boosted his popularity by taking the same trophy home once again in 2005 and later winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2017. One notable person that stood behind him as he became a race car sensation is his wife Sherry Pollex.
While Ms. Pollex was previously only known to the public as Martin Truex’s wife, her recent survival of stage three ovarian cancer has brought her media attention, as people generally want to know what steps she took in battling the deadly disease. Read on to find out what we have been able to discover.
Who Is Sherry Pollex?
Sherry Pollex is a Sports Marketer/Promoter by profession. She was born on the 10th day of May 1979 in Marshall, Michigan, U.S.A. Her parents; Julia and Greg Pollex, raised her in Brighton, Michigan alongside her sister, Jill Pollex. Her family, however, later moved to Florida when she was in middle school.
As a child, Sherry developed a passion for sports, especially auto racing. This was because her father Greg owned a racing company – PPC Racing. She subsequently studied Sports Marketing at the Florida State University, earning her degree in 2006. Following her graduation, she started working as a public relations representative for NASCAR.
Things, however, took a dramatic turn in Pollex’s life after she was diagnosed with Stage IIIC primary peritoneal cancer in August 2014. At the time of diagnosis, Sherry already had almost fifty tumors between her pelvic bones and diaphragm. A six-hour surgery saw the tumors removed, followed by a radical hysterectomy. She also underwent chemotherapy for a year and a half followed by a year and three months of remission.
Unfortunately, Pollex had a recurrence in her liver and spleen soon after, prompting her to undergo another surgery for the removal of the cancer tumors. She completed six-month-long chemo for this second hit in February 2018 and has since gone into remission.
Sherry Pollex and Martin Truex Relationship
Sherry Pollex met Martin Truex Jr. while she was working with NASCAR and he was a driver. The duo began dating and soon got engaged in 2005, however, they are yet to tie the knot.
Sherry once mentioned in an interview that they are probably never going to marry; and that they are OK that way. Their relationship has outlasted many marriages, with the couple maintaining a very close marital-like bond devoid of controversies or rumors of separation.
Due to her relationship with Martin, Sherry has become a very prominent guest of NASCAR tournaments, being present at almost all of his races. Martin on his own part missed the qualifying race for the Michigan International Speedway on August 15, 2014, to enable him to be by Sherry’s bedside.
While the pair have no kids, Sherry once hinted in an interview that she and her husband were trying to have a child before she was diagnosed with cancer.
6 Important Things You Should Know About Martin Truex Jr’s Wife
1. She Established a Cancer Foundation Before She Was Diagnosed
Sherry alongside her partner established the Martin Truex Jr Foundation in 2007 to fight pediatric cancer. How would it have crossed her mind that she would someday turn out a cancer patient herself; that the chronic disease would come knocking at her own doors? That was exactly what happened. But that didn’t put her off as she managed to turn her problem into a blessing. Referring to her cancer as a gift, Sherry believes that by going through the disease herself, she would now be able to relate better with others, especially kids who are battling the same condition.
2. Sherry is Very Positive Despite Her Condition
Sherry Pollex is a highly positive woman. She recalled in a recent interview how she went through the “why me” stage of grief when she heard that she had cancer for the first time. But that, according to the lovely lady, lasted only a second. Recalling that even children have battled the lethal disease, her thoughts had immediately turned to “why not me at 35”.
From thenceforth, Sherry decided to turn her condition to a lifetime inspiration – and that attitude remains her greatest instrument of survival. She has also granted a number of insightful and inspiring interviews on how to live a positive life amidst all odds.
3. Philanthropy Remains Her No. 1 Passion
Long before her cancer diagnosis, Sherry Pollex has been deeply involved in charity. Her condition further makes her more engrossed in her passion. She has since dedicated her life to cancer activism, setting up various causes to that effect. Some of them include the Special Needs Fund at Levine Children’s Hospital, Charlotte, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation Pediatric Emergency Department at Novant hospital, Huntersville, and the Sherry Strong Integrative Oncology Clinic, with the latter two still under construction as of August, 2019.
4. She Has an Intrest in Fashion
Besides philanthropy, another thing that ranks high for Pollex is fashion. Owing to her passion for fashion, Sherry established Lavender Boutique which sells a variety of women wears, especially denim. The store is located in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Interestingly, Sherry also uses her flair for fashion to do charity. In 2009, she raised $7,000 through a fashion show she hosted at a country club. More interestingly, that was how she started the “Catwalk for a Cause”, an annual fundraiser which celebrated its 10th anniversary on May 15, 2019.
5. She has Zero Pregnancy Probability
To get rid of her cancer tumors, Sherry Pollex had her major reproductive organs removed – her two ovaries and Fallopian tubes. This development has ruled out her chances of ever getting pregnant. In addition, doctors subsequently got rid of her appendix, spleen and some part of her stomach in the fight against cancer.
6. Sherry is Doing Fine at the Moment
Despite having not been declared cancer-free, Sherry Pollex is in a fairly good condition at the moment. In a recent interview granted to Rare Country, the brave cancer hero revealed that her drugs have been working so far. She has since gone back to normal life, engaging in a variety of activities to raise awareness for her condition. She, however, still lives on drug inhibitors alongside other maintenance treatments; exercise and diet. Ultimately, Sherry is committed to using every bit of her healthy opportunity to enjoy life and support others.