20-Year Cancer Survivor Praises WVU Care Team and Donor-Funded Meal Program

Judy McNair credits the WVU Cancer Institute's support and a donor-backed meal service for helping her through over two decades of treatment.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Judy McNair has spent more than 20 years battling cancer, including breast cancer in 2003 and lymphoma twice. She now believes she is cancer-free and credits the care team at the WVU Cancer Institute's Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, as well as a donor-funded meal program called Soup for the Soul, for supporting her throughout her lengthy treatment.

Why it matters

McNair's story highlights the importance of comprehensive cancer care that goes beyond just medical treatment, including emotional support and practical assistance like meal delivery for patients who spend long hours in infusion and chemotherapy. The Soup for the Soul program, funded by donations, demonstrates how community support can make a real difference in the lives of those fighting cancer.

The details

During her regular infusion visits, McNair receives a bag lunch delivered by volunteers. These meals are provided through the Soup for the Soul Fund, a donor-supported program that has delivered over 10,000 meals to patients at the WVU Cancer Institute since 2015. The lunches typically include a sandwich, fruit, chips, and a drink, helping to sustain patients who may not have someone with them to get food during their lengthy treatments.

  • McNair was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.
  • She later underwent treatment for lymphoma twice.
  • In 2023, she received CAR-T cell therapy, an immunotherapy that trains the body's immune cells to target cancer.
  • The Soup for the Soul Fund was established in 2015.

The players

Judy McNair

A patient at the WVU Cancer Institute who has spent more than 20 years in treatment for breast cancer and lymphoma, and now believes she is cancer-free.

WVU Cancer Institute

The cancer care center at West Virginia University that has provided treatment and support to McNair over the past two decades.

Soup for the Soul Fund

A donor-supported program that has provided over 10,000 meals to infusion and chemotherapy patients at the WVU Cancer Institute since 2015.

Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D.

The executive chair and director of the WVU Cancer Institute, who spoke about how programs like Soup for the Soul support patients throughout their treatment.

WVU Foundation

The organization that uses donations to provide meals and assist patients through the Soup for the Soul Fund.

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What they’re saying

“Programs like Soup for the Soul support patients throughout their treatment.”

— Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., Executive Chair and Director, WVU Cancer Institute (wtrf.com)

“The lunches help patients who spend many hours in treatment and may not have someone with them to get food.”

— Judy McNair (wtrf.com)

What’s next

The WVU Cancer Institute continues to provide comprehensive care and support programs like Soup for the Soul to assist patients throughout their treatment.

The takeaway

Judy McNair's story demonstrates the importance of holistic cancer care that goes beyond just medical treatment, with the support of the care team and community-funded programs like the Soup for the Soul meal service making a real difference in the lives of patients like her.