Betsy Warren, MesotheliomaHelp.net essay scholarship contest grand prize winnner.
When Betsy Warren saw the announcement for the 2012 mesothelioma essay scholarship contest sponsored by MesotheliomaHelp.net, the deadline was just a few days away. With no time to waste, Betsy spent several late nights, writing through her tears, as she poured her heart into the story about the impact her father's mesothelioma diagnosis had on her and her family.
Her effort paid off. Betsy's story, "The Ugly Elephant," captured the grand prize and earned her $5,000 to apply towards tuition as she returns to school to pursue a degree in nursing at Rhode Island College. The prize money was both financially and emotionally rewarding to Betsy and her family.
"The money allowed me to put off taking out any student loans for this term, and possibly even the next," said Betsy. "It has also allowed us to keep saving for our boys' college education. I am so thankful for this opportunity."
The contest gave Betsy an opportunity to tell her bittersweet story and to offer a warning about the dangers of asbestos. Betsy told of the sorrow of her father not living to see his first grandchild, but of the joy and peace she felt when she delivered her son after her father's passing. She also talked about her father developing mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in the "Navy and in factories he visited for his career in wood products."
"Writing my father's story was so therapeutic," said Betsy "My entire family is so incredibly proud, and it has also helped me remember to get to talking about my dad more."
Betsy said that when her father was diagnosed with mesothelioma, she didn't really know what it was, but she knew the treatment options were limited and the prognosis was poor. Betsy believes that in the years that have passed since her father's diagnosis and death, the prognosis has improved for mesothelioma patients and new options are available to make a difference for mesothelioma patients.
Since her father's battle with mesothelioma, Betsy has met many other families who have endured the same struggles. "To other families out there, I'd tell them to hang on to hope," says Betsy. "You are not alone. Sadly, as time goes by, more and more people are suffering. Yet more and more is being learned about fighting this particular cancer."
"Cancer is never a diagnosis you'd like to hear, yet this one seemed much uglier than others," says Betsy. "But," she adds, "hearing about other people who are winning the fight makes me, and would make my dad, smile."
You can read Betsy's winning essay here.
More articles by Nancy Meredith
Nancy Meredith is a blog and web content writer with more than 20 years of professional experience in the Information Technology industry. She has been writing about Mesothelioma for 4 years. Follow Nancy on Google+
