At age 36 with the world at her fingertips, Cheryl McLaughlin was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in January 2008. She successfully completed surgery in February 2008 and is a cancer survivor.

At age 36 with the world at her fingertips, Cheryl McLaughlin was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in January 2008. She successfully completed surgery in February 2008 and is a cancer survivor. Throughout her battle with cancer, she has been inspired by other cancer survivor stories and even those who have lost the fight.

When she was first diagnosed, she reached out to the American Cancer Society and they helped her connect with a support group. The fellow survivors helped her deal with the surgery, the healing, and the emotional trauma. "This meant the world to me," Cheryl said, "Not only do these nonprofit organizations help us survive while fighting this disease, but they put the fire on the candle that is burning in each of our hearts called 'life'."

The California State Employee Charitable Campaign (CSECC) is dedicated to educating the employees on how beneficial nonprofit organizations are to lives of those in the community. Cheryl now works closely with CSECC, sharing the impact that these organizations can have on lives like hers.