MLB, SU2C & Mastercard give cancer survivors VIP Speedway experience

“We’re best friends.”

Wayne and Sherri Begley have been through a lot together. And by “a lot,” we mean matters of life and death. So when Sherri expressed how close she is to her husband, it came from a deep well of love that has persevered through deep trials.

Each of them is a cancer survivor -- Wayne is a three-year survivor after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, and Sherri is a four-year survivor after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021.

The two have been by each other’s side through it all. Wayne, for example, drove Sherri to Nashville -- a four-hour trip by car from their home in Kingsport, Tenn. -- and back each week for appointments. He saw her through three surgeries all while taking care of the family and household -- and working full-time.

The couple’s story is special, and it embodies the courage, determination and strength of millions of people around the world who are battling cancer. So MLB, Mastercard and Stand Up To Cancer teamed up to give Wayne and Sherri an unforgettable VIP experience prior to and during this past weekend’s first-ever MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“It’s awesome, it’s incredible,” Wayne said about how the speedway looked after it was transformed into a ballpark. “Turned a race track into a baseball field.”

The couple was treated to a VIP batting practice experience on the field, as well as a meet-and-greet with Hall of Famer and Braves legend Chipper Jones (an extra-special experience for Wayne, who is a Braves fan) and country music star Tim McGraw. They were also interviewed by MLB Network’s Lauren Shehadi and Mark DeRosa, sharing their inspirational story.

And inspirational might be an understatement. When talking about how she Stands Up To Cancer, Sherri had some words of encouragement for those battling cancer out there. And given what she and Wayne have been through, their wisdom carries great weight.

“I kept a positive attitude through this whole thing,” Sherri said. “And I think [a positive attitude] is what helped us both. We never let it get us down, we kept going. And so if anybody is going through that, the most positive you can be, I think, kept us going and we are standing here.”

MLB, Mastercard and Stand Up To Cancer had the honor of providing the Begleys with a VIP experience they’ll never forget. But as DeRosa told the couple, the true gift actually came from the Begleys themselves.

“I’m proud to be a part of this,” DeRosa said. “This is special. So I want you guys to have the best time, and enjoy it.”

Stand Up To Cancer is a leading cancer research organization that has raised over $800 million and funded more than 120 collaborative research teams since its founding in 2008. For other Stand Up To Cancer moments across baseball, click here.