03/27/2024
Spread the love

By Erin Smith
A benefit dinner is planned for Joey Taylor on Wednesday, August 1, from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church. There will be a baked ziti dinner, and plates are $10 each. A silent auction is also planned for the event. Tickets for the fundraiser dinner may be purchased at Campbell Oil Company’s office located on Peanut Plant Road in Elizabethtown.

The friends of Joey Taylor want to assist him, and the proceeds from the benefit will go to Taylor to assist with medical expenses. Taylor said he was touched when he learned about the benefit.

“I was shocked when the girls here (Campbell Oil) at work approached me wanting to do a dinner,” said Taylor. “It makes me feel good.”

Taylor added it didn’t really surprise him, because of the generous nature of the people of Bladen County.

He remembers the day he learned he had cancer vividly. Taylor said he learned of his diagnosis on February 26, 2016.

“I consider myself so lucky to be here two years after being diagnosed,” said Taylor.

He recounted that fateful visit with Dr. Stephen Bridgers. Taylor said he had a routine physical the day before his birthday; they met to go over the results. Taylor said he had lost some weight since his last appointment and was feeling good about the accomplishment.

“He literally closed my chart and then he said ‘Wait a minute’ and pulled my chart back up,” said Taylor.

Among his test results, Dr. Bridgers noticed one set of tests that were abnormally high.

“Dr. Bridgers said we need to get this looked at, and I went to the hospital in Lumberton,” said Taylor.

After further testing, Taylor learned he had cancer.

“It was shocking for it to be cancer. Pancreatic Cancer was more shocking,” said Taylor of his
diagnosis.

He credits Dr. Bridgers with the fact he found the cancer so soon.

“Every time I see Dr. Bridgers, I know he gave me two years of life I would not have had otherwise,” said Taylor.

He said he has been able to take part in a clinical trial at Duke University Medical Center and has also undergone chemotherapy, radiation and had surgery. Taylor said he is now undergoing another round of chemotherapy.

Taylor is an Iran-Gulf War veteran and resides at White Lake though he is originally from Deep Run, NC. Taylor owned Geographic Solutions and Surveying Services from 2007 until 2015.

Taylor said he has also served in the United Coast Guard Reserve and worked with PWC in Fayetteville before beginning his own business and moving to Bladen County.

Taylor currently works with Campbell Oil as a Project Development Manager developing site plans for new stores and restaurants.

Tickets for the fundraiser dinner may be purchased at Campbell Oil Company’s office located on Peanut Plant Road in Elizabethtown.  Folks not able to attend the dinner may donate to the cause on the GoFundMe page made for Taylor.

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