Mike Beaudin lost his wife 3-1/2 years ago after her year-long struggle with lung cancer. He was her 24/7 caregiver. “I was fortunate to be able to be there for my wife,” he said, “through both the good times and the difficult.”

Today, Beaudin has been appointed as the first cancer lay navigator, a volunteer position, at the Danny Talbott Cancer Center, located on the Nash UNC Health Care campus. He said, “I was there for my wife all the time, but I realize that some people may not have the resources – the family support, good insurance, reliable transportation to and from appointments – and becoming a lay navigator was my best opportunity to help.”