MCA Warrior Stories

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to thank Diana Evens-Hein for becoming our Advocate of the Month for May and sharing her story about her father's fight with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Diana’s statement of “one less breath is one too many” is a statement than can resonate with our community who have suffered loss from this cancer. Below is an interview with Diana about her experience and how she would like to help the mesothelioma community.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to thank Shirley White, the Advocate of the Month for April, for sharing her story about her husband’s fight against epithelial left lung mesothelioma. Shirley’s story is important to share with our community for support and especially during an important week like Asbestos Awareness Week. With our shared knowledge and support, our community can continue to spread awareness and hope for this disease.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to thank Shelia Philyaw, the Advocate of the Month for March. In an interview with Shelia, we learned how cancer has affected her family, with mesothelioma affecting her mother. As a nurse, Shelia has been a key caregiver for her family and wanted to share her story, knowledge and support with the MCA community.

Today we are very excited to welcome Jan Egerton to the MCA blog to share her incredible story. In catching up with Jan on Facebook, she graciously offered to answer some common questions that all of you in the community often ask. We are happy to share her answers full of strength and valuable information. To connect with Jan, read her blog at Jan's Journey.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Nayeli Baltazar, the Advocate of the Month for January. Nayeli has been an active member of our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to other people affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Nayeli on how Mesothelioma affected her and her family’s lives and why she continues to spread the message the of MCA.

Diana & Fred

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Diana Davey, the Advocate of the Month for December. Diana has been incredibly active and visible in our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Diana about how Mesothelioma affected her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to introduce you to an amazing and inspirational 19-year survivor, Sean Gee! Sean has shared his incredible story with us, and hopes to help all of those affected by mesothelioma. Please read his journey below.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Tina Melford, the Advocate of the Month for November. Tina has been incredibly active and visible in our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Tina about how Mesothelioma affected her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to introduce you to a wonderful woman and our advocate of the month for October – Susan Ralston. Susan kindly shared with us the story of how her life has been affected by mesothelioma. Read more about her family and inspirational stepfather, and watch for her throughout the month as she plans to be a big contributor to our social community!

Read the latest in our friend Rachel Shaneyfelt's journey as she shares her emotional transition in to the newest chapter of her life.

On July 2nd of this summer, I started my new job as a family nurse practitioner in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Univeristy of Alabama Birmingham - the only comprehensive cancer facility here in the state of Alabama. It’s the first full time job that I have held since the dreaded diagnosis of mesothelioma. This direction was an odd path that was chosen for me, as I didn’t want to work with cancer patients. I had cancer. I hate cancer. I’m sick of cancer. I don’t want to deal with cancer. I hate the word cancer. CANCER SUCKS!!! Now that that is out of my system-- where was I?

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Debra Cantalupo Cook, the Advocate of the Month for August. Debra has been incredibly active and visible in our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Debra about how Mesothelioma affected her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to introduce an amazing mesothelioma survivor - Rachel Shaneyfelt, our Advocate of the Month for July. Read below for Rachel's personal battle with mesothelioma and how it has changed her life. She is excited to offer hope and support to those facing similar challenges as our advocate and in the future as the newest addition to our community!

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to highlight Tammy Reed, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Advocate of the Month for June. Tammy plans to be big contributor on our social community by offering support and words of wisdom to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Tammy about how Mesothelioma affected and changed her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Laura Huff, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Advocate of the Month for May. Laura has been a big contributor on our social community by offering support and words of wisdom to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Laura about how Mesothelioma affected and changed her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

I’d like to take a moment to thank Rebecca Arnautovic, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance’s Advocate of the Month for April. Rebecca has been incredibly active and visible in our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to others affected by cancer. Beneath is an interview with Rebecca about her own experience with cancer and how that has shaped her way of life.

The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance would like to take a moment to thank Kelly Diaz De Leon, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Advocate of the Month for March. Kelly has been a big contributor on our social community by offering support and words of wisdom to others affected by cancer. Below is an interview with Kelly about how Mesothelioma affected and changed her way of life and why she continues to spread the message of MCA.

I’d like to take a moment to thank Jill Leavitt, the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance’s Advocate of the Month for February. Jill has been incredibly active and visible in our Facebook community and continues to help spread the message of the MCA, while lending her support and knowledge to others affected by cancer. Beneath is an interview with Jill about her own experience with cancer and how that has shaped her way of life.

The MCA is proud to introduce our very first Advocate of the Month, Noora Besharat. Noora caught our attention in July during our $50k to Cancer Twitter Campaign when she mobilized her twitter community to follow @canceralliance on the 3rd anniversary of her mother’s passing from cancer. Noora’s work created the social buzz that led to us raising over $21,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.