Shenel Rimando volunteers with PanCAN in honor of her sister who handed away from pancreatic most cancers.
Editor’s Word: Could is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a possibility to commemorate the wealthy and various cultures, traditions and accomplishments of Asian Individuals and Pacific Islanders. San Antonio Affiliate Chair Shenel Rimando spoke with Neighborhood Engagement Senior Specialist Paula Mukherjee about her dedication to PanCAN’s mission, her dedication to group management and the celebration of Filipino American tradition. This interview has been edited for readability and size.
Paula: How have you ever been affected by pancreatic most cancers?
Shenel: My sister handed away from pancreatic most cancers in August 2019. We didn’t have a household historical past, and I didn’t learn about pancreatic most cancers earlier than her diagnosis.
She acquired misdiagnosed 3 times. The docs instructed her that her symptoms have been all stress-induced. They stated it was all in her head and that she wanted to see a therapist as a substitute.
They ran checks and located nothing; every little thing was clear. She didn’t get a CT scan.
She would name me crying and say, “I do know my physique. I do know there’s one thing unsuitable, however they’re not discovering it. I do know I’m not loopy.”
I instructed my ex-husband about my sister’s signs. His mom had battled breast most cancers twice. He thought that my sister might have most cancers and would wish to advocate for herself to get extra testing to seek out it.
It wasn’t till my sister advocated for herself that she acquired a CT scan. That’s after they discovered the tumor. The most cancers had already unfold to her liver. She didn’t qualify for surgical procedure and went via chemotherapy.
I flew forwards and backwards between San Antonio and my sister’s residence in Chicago to be a caregiver for her. We have been fortunate to have her for a yr and half till she handed away.
She was capable of plan her funeral the best way she wished. She even deliberate the lunch after the service all the way down to the menu. She selected her casket and outfit she wished to be buried in. Every thing was to her liking.
Not lots of people can correctly go the best way they need. I’m really grateful that she may.
Paula: What impressed you to start volunteering with PanCAN?
Shenel: After my sister’s passing, I saved seeing advertisements on Fb for PanCAN PurpleStride San Antonio. I joined as an affiliate volunteer that yr and have become Affiliate Chair final yr.
I began volunteering with PanCAN as a result of I don’t need different folks to need to undergo the identical expertise I did. If different sufferers with pancreatic most cancers might be identified earlier and obtain therapy, then they could survive. I wish to assist in any capability I can.
Listening to survivor tales is the rationale why I advocate for sufferers. For example, the husband of our Survivor Outreach Chair was given 30 days to dwell. He’s now been in remission for 5 years. Tales like that push me ahead to say that it’s attainable to outlive and thrive.
Final yr, I served as a panelist for PanCAN’s PRIDE in Most cancers Care dialogue on the unique challenges and triumphs confronted by LGBTQIA+ people in most cancers care. It was nice to help with that chance as nicely.
I’m additionally one of many administrators and membership chair for the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) – Greater San Antonio. Numerous members are in well being care, and one linked me to docs on the Mays Cancer Center, residence to UT Well being San Antonio MD Anderson Most cancers Middle. Now we’ve constructed a connection there.
Significantly with the recent cuts in federal research funding for pancreatic cancer, it’s good for us to construct connections with researchers and encourage them to proceed engaged on early detection and treatments for pancreatic most cancers.
Shenel shares her tradition with fellow PanCAN volunteers.
Paula: What message would you share with others who’ve misplaced family members to pancreatic most cancers?
Shenel: You’re not alone, and day by day is a chance to honor their recollections.
Paula: What are your focus areas for the remainder of 2025?
Shenel: Empowering different volunteers throughout the affiliate to tackle extra duties. It takes a group to lift consciousness. Bringing engagement again to pre-Covid ranges and sharing details about PanCAN’s research initiatives.
We as volunteers can let the group know that there are sources like PanCAN Patient Services accessible and extra alternatives to be advocates. We should work as a group and strengthen the group to maneuver ahead.
Paula: How do you construction affiliate conferences?
Shenel: The territory for the San Antonio Affiliate is large; along with San Antonio, it encompasses Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and the encompassing areas. We’ve got a mixture of in-person and digital conferences. We normally maintain in-person conferences on the weekends as a result of individuals are driving to San Antonio from Laredo and Austin. We’ve got digital conferences too, however the vitality is completely different if you’re in particular person!
Paula: What do you do for work?
Shenel: I’m a challenge supervisor for a industrial signal firm that works with industrial theaters, fast-food eating places, lodges and extra throughout the nation. I’ve been within the building trade for 10 years now. I’ve been with my present firm for 4 years. Beforehand, I labored as a gross sales coordinator for manufacturing corporations promoting metallic roofs and wall panels.
Paula: Have you ever drawn in your challenge administration expertise as Affiliate Chair?
Shenel: Completely!
I work on web site plans and ensure that we meet deadlines, ideally earlier than the purchasers anticipate the initiatives to be executed and below funds. I’ve 60 to 80 work orders a month and initiatives from Alaska to Florida.
Logistics is one thing I dwell and breathe day by day! I’m capable of maximize my sources and see how I can accomplish extra with a restricted funds in a brief period of time.
I’m capable of establish the abilities of individuals in my community and use them to amplify their companies and assist PanCAN. At PurpleStride, we now have folks like our caricaturist and photographer who I met via my position on the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. They offer their providers as in-kind donations.
Paula: You’re closely concerned in your group. What are your different favourite causes?
Shenel on the information selling PanCAN PurpleStride.
Shenel: On prime of my day job, PanCAN volunteer work, and position on the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, I converse at a number of charitable occasions. I’ve had quite a lot of management expertise, so I wish to share my tales and inspire the following technology.
I converse at mentoring occasions hosted by Girls, Inc. I talk about my profession and every little thing I do within the building trade. There are usually not many ladies, notably Asian American girls, in my subject. Whereas volunteering with PanCAN, I used to be additionally the President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio Chapter from 2021-2023.
As well as, I’m in therapeutic massage college at evening. I’m massaging 20 hours every week. Once I was caring for my sister, I gave her massages. Studying several types of therapeutic massage, together with oncology, pre-natal, wellness, deep tissue and extra, at my college has been fulfilling as a result of I’m capable of assist alleviate the struggling of these in ache.
Paula: Why is educating others about Filipino American tradition vital to you?
Shenel: Not many Individuals learn about our tradition and the affect that we make. Not sufficient folks share our historical past. That’s why I advocate for us and why I’m a part of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. I’m additionally in a documentary about Filipino meals titled Authentic or Not: The Filipino Food Revolution.
Many individuals don’t know that Tagalog is the third most spoken language in San Antonio and the fourth most spoken language in america. In California and Nevada, it’s the second most spoken language. Not lots of people know that the Philippines was colonized by Spain for 333 years – longer than Mexico was below Spanish rule – after which by the U.S. for nearly 50 years.
I’m serving to to plan a fundraiser, Filipino BBQ Throwdown Street Food Fest, on June 15 in San Antonio. It’s a celebration of Filipino tradition, delicacies and group. A portion of the proceeds will profit the PACC Texas Foundation, which supplies crucial help to disaster-affected communities within the Philippines and america.
Paula: What are your ideas for our volunteers on methods to handle a busy schedule?
Shenel: You should use your calendar. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not occurring. I plan every little thing all the way down to the minute.
At all times put your self first, as a result of you’re the biggest instrument that you’ve. If you’re not sharpening the noticed, you’ll not be good for different folks. Sleeping, consuming healthily, having your thoughts, physique and soul aligned – when you don’t have that proper, you’ll not be the very best model of your self. Attempt to give what’s better of you rather than what’s left of you.
Paula: Thanks for every little thing you’re doing for PanCAN, Shenel!
