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.
MCA: Has cancer affected you in some way? If so, in what way? Tell us about your experience.
Diana Evens-Hein: Cancer has affected me in every single aspect of my life. My father Randy Evens was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in September 2011. He lost his battle on August 2, 2012. My father was a healthy, strong, hard working individual who never took sick days and was always working on the house, in the yard, or on his automobiles.
MCA: How has this shaped you as the person you are today?
Diana Evens-Hein: Since the passing of my father is still so recent, I’m still trying to deal with adjusting to life without him.
MCA: What was your motivation to become the MCA Advocate of the Month?
Diana Evens-Hein: My motivation for becoming the MCA advocate for May comes deep within my soul. I’m a no-nonsense individual. I believe in everyone being held accountable for their actions.
MCA: If you could say one thing to the world about cancer or mesothelioma specifically, what would it be?
Diana Evens-Hein: Cancer is a horrible disease that changes lives forever. It pains me to no end to know that money, power, and greed are to blame for asbestos-related diseases. While my father earned an honest living providing for our family, the asbestos companies did nothing to protect it’s consumers from the products they manufactured, produced, and sold to consumers all over the world.
MCA: Is there anything else you would like to say to the MCA community?
Diana Evens-Hein: One less breath equals one too many. I have become part of the mesothelioma community to fight for justice and speak on behalf of those who no longer have voices.
