Sherrill Cooke Collins Sherrill Cooke Collins is devoted to making the public aware of skin cancer. She is committed to raising funds for research of the deadly disease. She is passionate about informing us of the pervasive cancer and challenges us to take precautions to combat its effects. Six years ago, Cooke founded The Bob Cooke Memorial Trek Against Skin Cancer to engage support for her cause. Her father, Robert N. Cooke, died in 2003 after a 20-year battle against skin cancer and the trek is to honor him and help others fighting the disease. Recently the Trek evolved into The Bob Cooke Skin Cancer Foundation, Inc. As the Foundation continues to grow, she remains event director and manages a corps of 80 volunteers, a board of directors, an advisory council of 20 members and two co-chairs.

The Bob Cooke Trek has raised thousands of dollars for skin cancer education/research through the Bob Cooke Skin Cancer Foundation, Inc. With its success, Cooke works to achieve her goal of making the Trek a national fundraiser. That goal was realized with a beach run/walk in Jacksonville, Florida on March 31, 2007.

“Sherrill’s number one trait is her passion, We need to make people recognize that we need to preserve our health, and Sherrill’s beliefs in prevention and protection send this message.”
- Dr. Jason Jenkins, a Milford, CT chiropractor and nutritionist, and the 2006 Trek chairman.


“When she puts her mind to something, amazing things happen as a result,”
- Dr. Sharon Mallon, a Clinton, CT psychologist. Mallon serves on the Trek advisory council.

Along with her passion, Cooke’s background assists her in leading her Trek team. She has a degree in Communications and Marketing from Jacksonville University and has held positions including: presentations director of Sessions Modeling Studio, Jacksonville, FL, accounts manager for radio stations WEJZ in Jacksonville and WNNX in Atlanta, and director of events and public relations at Lady Sportslife in Atlanta. In each job she generated new accounts, exceeded sales goals and trained or managed other executives. At Premiere Radio Networks in Atlanta, Cooke quadrupled her sales budget of $5,000,000 increasing it to $20,000,000. She also introduced Auto Zone to network radio where they still remain the biggest radio advertiser.

As a specialist for Dale Carnegie Training in Atlanta, Cooke held orientation sessions for Fortune 500 executives and selected candidates for training. At present, she is president and owner of Cooke Consulting in Milford.

Throughout her career Cooke has developed the skills and contacts to organize a force capable of generating sponsors, participants, and media coverage and has accumulated several awards. She is the recipient of the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking and Human Relations Awards, “Best Personal Service Award”, Woman of Substance Award from the Connecticut Post newspaper, XXVI Mother Mary Augustine Claven Award, Presidential Point of Light Honoree, News 12 Hometown Hero and Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Finalist.

Cooke is an example to other volunteers through her dedication to community service. In addition to promoting the Bob Cooke Skin Cancer Foundation, Inc., she serves on the Steering Commitee of the Claven Award, is a pet therapy volunteer with the Connecticut Humane Society and serves on the State Animal Response Team. She also spends time in schools, including her own alma mater Lauralton Hall in Milford, teaching students sun safety and about the dangers of tanning beds.