Free Mesothelioma Guide
Learn everything you need to know about mesothelioma, from diagnosis to treatment options.
Get Yours Now
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com
5/5
A + Rating
Our Patient Advocates
Our Patient Advocates help mesothelioma patients and their loved ones navigate the health care system to find the best doctors, treatment centers, clinical trials, financial aid and support groups at no cost to the patient.
Based on 150+ Google reviews
The Mesothelioma Center Google Reviews
BBB Accredited Business
-
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.
Kim Madril: Would you recommend Asbestos.com to other mesothelioma patients and family members?
Jeanette Mednicoff: Testimonial by a mesothelioma caregiver
Carla Fasolo: Testimonial by a mesothelioma survivor
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.
Danielle DiPietro
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Karen Selby, RN
Registered Nurse and Patient Advocate
Snehal Smart, M.D.
Medical Doctor and Patient Advocate
Vanessa Blanco
Patient Advocate and Oncology Patient Navigator
Amy Pelegrin
Hospice Care Director
Aaron Munz
Director of Veterans Department
Karen Selby, Asbestos.com
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & Registered Nurse
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & Registered Nurse
patient advocate Spotlight
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.
Aaron Munz
Patient Advocate | VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Danielle DiPietro
Patient Advocate | VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Danielle DiPietro, Asbestos.com
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Board-Certified Patient Advocate & VA-Accredited Claims Agent
patient advocate Spotlight
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.
Exclusive Content
The Mesothelioma Center’s Medical Outreach Team
Missy Miller
Medical Outreach Director
José Ortiz
Medical Outreach Liaison
Dr. Catherine Perrault
Medical Officer and Board-Certified Family Physician
Resources Our Advocates Can Help With
Access Treatment
Get matched with a top specialist near you, including help with scheduling appointments quickly and easily.
Find a Doctor
Financial Options
Discover what financial assistance you may qualify for, including trust funds, VA benefits and legal compensation.
Get Yours Now
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.
3:06
Exclusive Content
| Jeanette Mednicoff: How did Asbestos.com help you after Kim’s diagnosis?
More Videos:
Read What Others Say About Us
5.0 rating | 150+ reviews
Dr. Smart has been understanding, very informative and an excellent resource
My thanks to Dr. Smart and the team at the Mesothelioma Center. They have been phenomenal in providing resources and support to help our family understand the challenges we will be facing as my dad battles with this disease. Dr. Smart has been understanding, very informative and an excellent resource, especially in understanding treatment options and how to work with our local doctors to develop a good relationship and be informed. There is comfort knowing we have an independent ally that can help provide perspective along the way.
I have found Karen Selby at mesothelioma organization to be extremely helpful
I have found Karen Selby at [The Mesothelioma Center] to be extremely helpful and supportive in helping me navigate treatment for my husband who has mesothelioma. She is a wealth of information and confirmed we were on the path to getting the right doctors. I highly recommend anyone with a friend or loved one with mesothelioma that they reach out to them. The information was on my doorstep in a day. Getting information from research is much better than googling for information. Highly recommend!
I am forever grateful to have had this help when I needed it most.
Amy Pelegrin and Karen Selby responded immediately, sent information that I received the next day and helped me navigate the healthcare system to find the best available care in my city. They facilitated making appointments and followed up with all the information necessary. Dealing with a serious illness is a frightening and daunting experience. I am forever grateful to have had this help when I needed it most.
Dr. Smart has been understanding, very informative and an excellent resource
My thanks to Dr. Smart and the team at the Mesothelioma Center. They have been phenomenal in providing resources and support to help our family understand the challenges we will be facing as my dad battles with this disease. Dr. Smart has been understanding, very informative and an excellent resource, especially in understanding treatment options and how to work with our local doctors to develop a good relationship and be informed. There is comfort knowing we have an independent ally that can help provide perspective along the way.
Myles B.
I have found Karen Selby at mesothelioma organization to be extremely helpful
I have found Karen Selby at [The Mesothelioma Center] to be extremely helpful and supportive in helping me navigate treatment for my husband who has mesothelioma. She is a wealth of information and confirmed we were on the path to getting the right doctors. I highly recommend anyone with a friend or loved one with mesothelioma that they reach out to them. The information was on my doorstep in a day. Getting information from research is much better than googling for information. Highly recommend!
Margie H.
I am forever grateful to have had this help when I needed it most.
Amy Pelegrin and Karen Selby responded immediately, sent information that I received the next day and helped me navigate the healthcare system to find the best available care in my city. They facilitated making appointments and followed up with all the information necessary. Dealing with a serious illness is a frightening and daunting experience. I am forever grateful to have had this help when I needed it most.
Linda G.
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.
