Sheila McGlown is a mother, wife and 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force.
While at work in the fall of 2009, Sheila sneezed and experienced a burning sensation near her breast. She went to her military doctor who, after performing a breast exam, ordered a mammogram. In December, after a mammogram and subsequent ultrasound, Sheila was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer (mBC) at the age of 43. De novo mBC means the breast cancer is metastatic at initial diagnosis. In the U.S., approximately six percent of women are diagnosed with de novo mBC.
For Sheila, the fight against breast cancer goes beyond her personal battle with the disease: her mother passed away from mBC in 2004 and Sheila now says, "My life is never about me anymore, it's all about who I can help." Since her diagnosis, Sheila has retired from the military and has become active within the breast cancer community. One of the main goals of her advocacy work is to raise awareness of the disease and make sure others know that mBC can affect anyone, regardless of their race or age.
In 2013, Sheila joined Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Youth Advocate Volunteer outreach program. This program provides resources and training to help young women use their personal experience living with breast cancer to make a difference in their communities by raising awareness, educating about the disease and advocating for support. Sheila was recognized by Living Beyond Breast Cancer with their 2017 Hear My Voice Award for the advocacy work she has done supporting people living with mBC.
Sheila says she never thought she would find love with mBC but was happily surprised when she met her husband after she was diagnosed. The two have been married since 2016. In addition to her husband, Sheila has a strong support network that helps her through her mBC journey, including her best friends, sisters, aunts and the many people she has met through her advocacy work – including Story Half Told Founding Member, Beth Fairchild.
Photographed by Esther Havens
Sheila McGlown is a mother, wife and 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force.
While at work in the fall of 2009, Sheila sneezed and experienced a burning sensation near her breast. She went to her military doctor who, after performing a breast exam, ordered a mammogram. In December, after a mammogram and subsequent ultrasound, Sheila was diagnosed with de novo metastatic breast cancer (mBC) at the age of 43.
