Laurence Gerrish Chooses Iredell Health for Cancer Care

Laurence Gerrish spent most of his life in the fast lane – until a cancer diagnosis slowed him down.

Gerrish began his Formula One racing career in his home country of England until the mid-70s when he came to the United States to work on an Indy car team. He went on to be the chief mechanic for Bobby Unser in the Indianapolis 500 race of 1981. Much like racing, a prostate cancer diagnosis came with much uncertainty. Gerrish knew one thing for certain.

“A couple of [radiation oncology offices] were put forward and I chose [Iredell Health System]. I’m glad I did,” he said.

Gerrish’s PSA test scores had crept up to 6.5 nanograms per liter. PSA tests, or Prostate Specific Antigen tests, measure the level of antigens in a man’s blood in nanograms per liter. His primary care physician recommended a PET (positron emission tomography) scan which indicated prostate cancer. He was then referred to Iredell’s radiation therapy center for treatment.

Walking into the J. Allen Knox Radiation Therapy Center after hearing this news was no easy feat, but Gerrish was extremely impressed with what he found.

“It was just a great experience. The machines in there are just fantastic. It’s incredible to think you’re being cured of cancer by this machine that is available in Statesville. You’re being cured just laying there for ten minutes. I was just totally impressed with everything,” he said.

A mechanical engineer by trade, Gerrish viewed the state-of-the-art equipment through an unusual lens during treatments.

“I was laying in those machines thinking about the inner workings like, ‘How is that big thing going around me? It’s got to weigh about ten tons.’ My mind was just clicking over, thinking,” said Gerrish.

The radiation therapy department at Iredell Health System has earned accreditations from the American College of Radiology and the American College of Surgeons. The health system follows the highest standards set forth by these organizations. They also do the little things like making it easy to access care with convenient parking close to the door.

Gerrish, a resident of Troutman, does not have any regrets choosing his local community hospital for his cancer care.

“I shop local, I spend local, I go to all the local restaurants – I don’t go to any corporate place. If I can find a small family run place, that’s where I go. I love Iredell Health System. Based on the experience I’ve had here with prostate cancer, I’ll tell anybody to come here,” he said.

Gerrish, having completed radiation therapy, is back to enjoying life to the fullest through his vintage car restoration work across the country. Even through his travels, he still manages to keep up with regularly scheduled follow-up appointments at Iredell

“I look forward to coming to the hospital for the first time in my life.”