

Our Patient Advocates
The Mesothelioma Center Google Reviews
85nikki96
I have a complicated case in regard to DIC. Have been very stressed; distressed and overwhelmed. I found Aaron Munz online, thank God, and he is wonderful. Informative, knowledgeable, and the best part: patient and kind. Many complicated things going on at once in my head were simplified by him into somethihg I can handle. I was nervous but he was calm. He cares and is very willing to help. He sincerely wants the best for us. The VA should feel very fortunate to have him.
Joshua Zebley
Aaron Munz is a wealth of information. It is amazing the great work this organization is doing to assist Veterans exposed to asbestos. If you are a Veteran that was exposed to asbestos or a Veterans Service Organization assisting a Veteran I highly recommend reaching out to The Mesothelioma Center.
Marion Moses
Aaron is highly knowledgeable and an amazing presenter. I appreciate his passion and compassion for Veterans and his support of the Veteran community. We are so fortunate to have him in our midst.
Tamara Lemons
Words can not express how grateful and thankful we are to the Mesothelioma Center and their employees. My fiancee who is a 46 year old United States Marine Corp Veteran was diagnosed with Epithelialoid Mesothelioma back on October 2, 2024. To say his diagnosis was a shock would be an understatement. I reached out to the center and reached a message back almost immediately by an amazing woman named Karen. She is there every step of the way with any questions or support that we need. Placing in count with our team has been a God send. Putting us in contact with Aaron and also with Curtis was nothing short of a miracle. Karen and Curtis will always respond to my text messages. We have attempted to go through Veteran Affairs, but we have gotten no help and no response or waiting to speak to someone and being in hold for hours. My fiancee has been fighting the VA for years, only to be given the run around. My fiancees primary job was 6093 Aircraft Metalsmith you would think that the VA would be the ones to give our Veterans the respect they have earned and deserve, however they give them nothing. Karen and her team have been there for us since we originally reached out. To the Families of Mesothelioma Patients and Mesothelioma Patients; I know the confusion, pain, dental,anger, guilt and sadness you are all facing. If you need someone to talk to, someone who cares about you and your life, seeking justice for all of you for what your diagnosis has done to you on all levels. Reach out to the Mesothelioma Center, we are our loved ones biggest advocate as well as our own reach out for help and support to this amazing group of people. The information they share is beyond helpful and something I was told by Curtis. No small amount of asbestos is too small. The changes your life from the first day of your exposure. If you worked your ass off or served your country and you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma.. Call this center, and speak to someone who is only a text message away. Thank you Karen you have no idea the impact you have made to Dennis and I. Thank you for being there for us, for that you have already done and for what you continue to do. You are so appreciated
J G
I had a Veteran come in with a positive diagnosis of mesothelioma. This was confirmed through pathology. This may appear as a slam dunk with the VA, but nothing with the VA ever is. I made a call to The Mesothelioma Center and they walked me through the necessary steps to ensure I had the proper information to help my Veteran. When everything was completed, my Veteran was rated at 100% Permanent and Total. The claim was completed much more quickly because of the help and information provided by The Mesothelioma Center. If you are a Veteran, a Veteran Service Officer, or anyone with any asbestos related lung conditions, this should be your FIRST CALL!!!! This is the only thing The Mesothelioma Center handles. They are amazing!
Get in Touch with a Patient Advocate
Have questions about your diagnosis, treatment options, or support resources? Our Patient Advocates are here to help — for free and with compassion. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or loved one, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
- Top mesothelioma doctors and treatment centers
- Financial assistance and legal support
- Clinical trials and new treatment options
- Emotional support and caregiver resources
-
19 Years
of serving victims of asbestos exposure
-
50% of Patients
diagnosed in the US each year turn to us for help
-
103 Years
combined experience in our Patient Advocate team
-
Watch: Here’s how we can help you
About Us
How Our Patient Advocates Can Help
Our team of Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center, the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource, provides free exclusive services, unique forms of support, medical resources and assistance navigating the health care system. Testimonials from people we’ve helped show our Patient Advocates are compassionate listeners who truly care about patients and their families.
Benefits to Working With a Patient Advocate
Help getting compensation for lost wages, treatment costs and more
Assistance with palliative care and end-of-life resources
Assistance filing VA benefits claims
Help finding top mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers near you
Access to caregiver resources and patient and family support groups
Help navigating insurance and Medicare processes

Meet the Team
Our Patient Advocate team features registered nurses, a medical officer, a medical doctor, an oncology patient navigator, military veterans, a hospice expert and health service administrators.
They help people find the best mesothelioma doctors at top-notch cancer centers, assist veterans in applying for VA benefits and connect families to supportive services. Our Patient Advocates are available 7 days a week to offer assistance and support.
Patient Advocates at the Mesothelioma Center
Patient Advocates

Danielle DiPietro
Danielle DiPietro is a certified Patient Advocate and VA-accredited claims agent. She uses her expertise to help patients access treatment, manage financial burdens and apply for veterans benefits.
- Expert financial guidance: Danielle helps families plan for treatment costs, including travel, copays and insurance.
- Certified financial advocate: Danielle completed the ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp course, which focuses on eliminating cost barriers for cancer patients.
- Veterans support specialist: Danielle has helped hundreds of veterans and their families access VA health care and compensation.

Karen Selby, RN
Karen Selby is a registered nurse with a background in oncology and general, vascular and thoracic surgery.
- Experienced RN: Karen draws on decades of surgical and cancer care experience to support patients.
- Treatment resource guide: She helps families evaluate doctors, hospitals and therapies.
- Medical translator: Karen explains complex procedures and test results in easy-to-understand terms.

Snehal Smart, M.D
Snehal Smart is a medical doctor with a background in teaching and mentoring. She uses that experience to educate patients about mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment.
- Medical expertise: Snehal refers patients to top mesothelioma specialists and helps them search for clinical trials recruiting patients.
- Patient education: She guides patients through the types of testing they may undergo and how to interpret the results.
- Symptom management: Snehal assists patients looking for complementary therapies and other ways to manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.

Vanessa Blanco
Vanessa Blanco is a certified Oncology Patient Navigator. She expertly guides patients through treatment, insurance coverage, financial support, transportation and scheduling.
- Expert financial guidance: Vanessa helps families find various ways to lower the cost of treatment and other expenses.
- Certified advocate: Her Oncology Patient Navigator certification is through the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
- Resource navigation: Vanessa connects patients with supportive services, including complementary therapies, emotional support and caregiver services.

Amy Pelegrin
Amy Pelegrin serves as the hospice care director at The Mesothelioma Center, where she connects patients and their families with hospice and palliative care services nationwide.
- Hospice coordination: Amy guides families to the best local hospice and palliative care providers in their area.
- End-of-life support: Amy is a compassionate listener with experience helping families understand how hospice can serve them.
- Resource navigation: She provides information on available support services and care options.

Aaron Munz
Aaron Munz is a Bronze Star recipient and former U.S. Army Captain who leads the Veterans Department at The Mesothelioma Center. As a VA-accredited claims agent, he helps veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma file claims for military service benefits.
- Veterans advocacy: Aaron guides veterans through the VA claims process for mesothelioma-related benefits and services.
- Military exposure expertise: Aaron understands the impact of mesothelioma on veterans and has the expertise to answer questions about their diagnosis.
- Benefits navigation: Aaron helps veterans access health care services and compensation through the VA.
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & Registered Nurse

Karen Selby supports mesothelioma families with compassion, clarity and decades of clinical experience
In the chaos of a diagnosis, Karen is often the first person to bring calm. Her years as a surgical nurse allow her to explain procedures and treatment options in a way that eases fear and restores confidence. Mesothelioma survivor Carla Fasolo shared, “Karen Selby helped so, so much, knowing that everybody was there for me.”
- Clinical background in oncology, thoracic and vascular surgery.
- Known for helping patients feel less afraid before scans, biopsies or surgery.
- Trusted by survivors for her steady, compassionate guidance.
Veterans Support Advocates
The Veterans Outreach team has built a network of cancer specialists and VA treatment centers that can provide you with the best treatments for mesothelioma. Aaron Munz and Danielle DiPietro work directly with veterans across the country, helping patients and families navigate VA disability claims for military asbestos exposure.

Patient Advocate | VA-Accredited Claims Agent

Patient Advocate | VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & VA-Accredited Claims Agent

Danielle DiPietro guides patients, veterans and their loved ones through the legal and financial challenges of mesothelioma
For veterans and their families, a mesothelioma diagnosis brings more than medical questions — it brings financial uncertainty and complex paperwork. Danielle helps ease that burden. As a VA-Accredited Claims Agent, she guides veterans through the process of securing VA benefits, compensation and legal support with clarity and care. Mesothelioma patient George C. shared, “Danielle was wonderful to talk to. She helped me understand what I needed to do, and I felt like someone was finally in my corner.”
- Works directly with veterans to file VA claims, appeals and asbestos exposure documentation.
- Provides clear guidance on legal options, working with the nation’s top mesothelioma attorneys.
- Helps patients access financial support through VA benefits, asbestos trust funds and other compensation resources.
Medical Outreach
The Mesothelioma Center has built long-lasting relationships with cancer specialists and nationally recognized cancer centers across the U.S. thanks to our Medical Outreach team. In addition to the Doctor Match program, which can connect you to local specialists and clinical trials, Medical Outreach provides resources for travel, financial assistance and more.

Medical Outreach Director

Medical Outreach Liaison

Medical Officer and Board-Certified Family Physician
Resources Our Advocates Can Help With



Lives Our Team Has Improved
Every year, our Patient Advocate team helps thousands of patients and families find the support they need. Their stories are a testament to the compassion and expertise our team provides.

Exclusive Content
Jeanette Mednicoff: How did Asbestos.com help you after Kim’s diagnosis?
Read What Others Say About Us
5.0 rating | 150+ reviews


Get in Touch With Our Team
Do you have a question for one of our Patient Advocates? Fill out our short questionnaire, and we will connect you with an advocate who can provide personalized support.