Our speaker on July 22 is Billy Sorochak CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire
Billy Sorochak may have started his career engineering aerospace components. Still, he found his true calling in a far more grounded mission- building homes full of hope, comfort, and compassion for families with critically ill children. Today, as the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire, Billy brings more than 26 years of nonprofit leadership experience to an organization that has become a lifeline for thousands of families navigating medical crises.
A proud graduate of the University of Connecticut (yes, he bleeds Husky blue), Billy's first professional life was in the high-flying world of aerospace sales with Kamatics Corporation. But when his then-two-year-old daughter Anna tugged at his heartstrings, he made a bold pivot- into the Girl Scout Cookie world. That leap into nonprofit work 30 years ago launched a second, purpose-driven career, including leadership roles at the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Susan G. Komen.
But his heart found its home with Ronald McDonald House. For the past 14+ years in Savannah, and a quarter-century with RMHC overall, Billy has stewarded a mission that serves children of every age and diagnosis, from newborns to young adults, while keeping every dollar raised right here in our Coastal Empire community. Under his leadership, RMH Coastal Empire remained one of only 10 Houses worldwide (out of 292) to keep its doors open every single day during the COVID-19 pandemic- delivering over 14,538 nights of care when families needed it most. In 2025 alone, the House and its programs, including two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and the beloved Hospitality Cart ("a cart with heart") supported 5,190 families.
At home, Billy is married to Angel Carter Sorochak, an Augusta native and fellow nonprofit warrior. Together, they're striving to become Savannah’s ultimate power couple for good on purpose. They’re the proud parents of three wildly talented children: Anna, a Belmont grad and business manager at Champagne Breakfast Music in Nashville; Nick, a 26-year-old Navy veteran and now Gamecock on the G.I. Bill; and Addison, a Georgia Southern grad who just completed her first teaching year in Georgia History at Ebenezer Middle School. Rounding out the family is Willow, an Australian Labradoodle with an important day job as the House’s official therapy dog.
Billy’s favorite pastimes? Cheering on his Huskies, swinging a golf club, and, above all, sharing the RMHC story with anyone who’ll listen. Because for Billy, this isn’t just a job, it’s a mission fueled by heart, humanity, and one very full House of love.
At our meeting on July 15 two-time prostate cancer survivor Doug Magill talked about his health journey and managing Men's Health.
He discussed how his initial proton radiation treatment at Loma Linda University in 2003 damaged his internal organs which made later treatment problematic. Something the hospital did not inform him of, leading him to caution the members that there are always side effects to any treatment, and those need to be understood.
When his rising PSA in 2024 led to a second cancer diagnosis his research led to cryoablation therapy at the Scionti Prostate Cancer Center. The cancer was eradicated, as his PSA is now <.04, but because of his damaged internal organs there was a resulting abscess in both sides of his prostate. The abscess let to several life-threatening infections and hospitalizations.
His local urologist had great difficulty in draining one side of his prostate in an emergency surgery in 2025, and the other side had to be treated via Interventional Radiology at Beaufort Memorial leaving him with a wound drain for a month. Continuing infections and hospitalizations led to the discovery of a fistula in his bladder that was infecting his pelvis as well as a broken bone there as well.
In trying to understand what was happening and to determine next steps it was vital to have an advocate, which he had in his wife, Karen. She was relentless in researching, questioning, and developing understanding of what the issues were and what options remained. She also was unswerving in her dedication not letting medical jargon get in the way of understanding, and that there was hope for a long-term solution.
After PET scans, MRI's and other tests, it was determined that the damaged bladder would not heal and that it had to be removed. That was accomplished the day before Thanksgiving, along with debridement of the pelvis to deal with the infection. Healing since then has been rapid with accompanying weight gain and increased energy.
Another learning that is vital to men as they age is developing a relationship with your doctor. It takes time, and is difficult today with the way some medical practices are run. It is vital, though, as an MD that knows you will be ahead of issues that are to be found with older men.
Finally, he said that an MD with a holistic practice that understands his patients will run extensive blood tests and recommend supplements to boost the immune system and prevent cancer from spreading.
Regardless of issue, please let us know if something is going on to prevent you from attending our meetings. We have many members who can help, pray, or just call to lift your spirits.
Club Dues Invoices - please submit payment at your earliest convenience. Several Rotarians have outstanding balances from prior invoices - if you are unsure of who you are, please reach out to Don Kensey, Rotary Club of Bluffton Treasurer.
Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? We do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we must find one. Finding a cure starts with you. Every year the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund gives research grants focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Have you given to the CART Fund this year? The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the CART Fund is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer’s disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. These projects should be distinct from those designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless they intend to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.
If you would you like to donate to the C.A.R.T. fund, please scan the code below:
The Bluffton Rotary Club has a YouTube Channel! You will find previous guest speakers and other fun videos, so be on the lookout for more content in the future. All you have to do is create a YouTube account and subscribe...with 80+ current members, we can do better than eight subscriber's!! Link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TYzr9_xUE8Jfy-lniTt1A
Did you know ClubRunner is now available on your mobile device app store for FREE?!? Once downloaded, use your ClubRunner log-in. This will give you instant access to our member directory, events, news and other important information. Here is a video that highlights some of the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLu08meAHI&t=12s
