Sodexho Dining Services has catered to the students and faculty of UTM for the past 17 years. Of those 17 years, Mike Munkel has been the general manager of food services for 14 years. He has had an impact on so many lives at UTM and, recently, he has been fighting for his own.

Munkel was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. Doctors spotted the cancer during a cardiac exam. According to an e-mail sent by Munkel last week to the UTM faculty and staff, he was told he had cirrhosis of the liver, a tumor in the upper lobe near the lung and an elevated alpha-feta protein level that indicates the presence of cancer.

Treatments for liver cancer vary according to the individual and are often complicated. Some possible treatments are surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy and radiation.

Munkel traveled to Houston, Texas, a few weeks ago to consult with doctors about a plan of action concerning his condition. Munkel also wrote in his e-mail that doctors do not believe that his body will be able to survive heavy doses of chemotherapy, and they are giving him six to eight months to live.

When word of Munkel’s condition began to spread, Dr. Bill Austin of the Mathematics Department sent out an e-mail to the faculty, urging them to keep Munkel in their thoughts and prayers. He also listed many things that Munkel has done for the community, such as organizing Toys for Tots and rallying the campus to support a little girl who was hospitalized after being burned.

“Please keep Mike and his family in your prayers and send a note of encouragement,” Austin wrote.

In his e-mail, Munkel also discussed his progress. He explained that he had to undergo some tests at Regional Hospital of Jackson and he hoped to be able to attend some of the Homecoming activities and be at Sunday Brunch. He also expressed his gratitude to the faculty and staff on campus.

“I just want you to know that I truly cannot express enough thanks to you all. The many cards and kind words, the gifts, the offers of help and especially all your prayers for healing and strength are deeply appreciated,” Munkel wrote. “I ask that you continue your prayers and please say a special one for my wife, Pat. This is very hard on her, but with your help she will get through it. I do accept that whatever happens is God’s will, but I am not ready to give up my fight.”

Even though Munkel is going through such a difficult situation, he still had the time to think of UTM. He ended his e-mail by saying, “Y’all are the best. Please take a moment today to reflect on how fortunate we are to live and work in this community at UTM and Martin as a whole. “As you may have heard me say a time or two, it was a company that moved me to Tennessee, but it was the grace of God that took me to Martin ... I love you all.”