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Local man starts non-profit to raise awareness of testicular cancer

The non-profit is called "Rest in Peace Testicles."

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Shortly after Michael Massengill was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer, he realized something.

“There was nothing out there. I couldn't find anything for testicular cancer. Nobody wanted to talk about it," he said.

After six rounds of chemo, Massengill entered remission. While he was cancer-free, he wanted to make sure others had a better outlet to discuss their testicular cancer than he felt he did. That inspired him to start "Rest in Peace Testicles," a non-profit raising awareness of testicular cancer.

"Honestly, I was joking around with one of my nurses, she came up with one name and we started joking about it," he said. "So I came up with 'Rest in Peace Testicles.'"

He and his friends designed t-shirts and those sales went on to fund the non-profit. Now that the organization is up and running, Massengill is planning fundraising events. The first is a clay shooting tournament organized with Central Flats and Taps.

"Michael’s got a family," said Wade Collinger, who runs the bar and restaurant. “We want to help him... To make sure he stays on his feet for him and his family.”

The clay event is on July 14 at Chilhowee Sportsman's Club. To sign up for the fundraising event, click here.

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