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In Conversation: Shenel Rimando, Affiliate Chair, San Antonio Affiliate
Editor’s Note: May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity to commemorate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. San Antonio Affiliate Chair Shenel Rimando spoke with Community Engagement Senior Specialist Paula Mukherjee about her dedication to PanCAN’s mission, her commitment to community leadership and the celebration of Filipino American culture. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Paula: How have you been affected by pancreatic cancer?
Shenel: My sister passed away from pancreatic cancer in August 2019. We didn't have a family history, and I didn't know about pancreatic cancer before her diagnosis.
She got misdiagnosed three times. The doctors told her that her symptoms were all stress-induced. They said it was all in her head and that she needed to see a therapist instead.
They ran tests and found nothing; everything was clear. She didn’t get a CT scan.
She would call me crying and say, “I know my body. I know there’s something wrong, but they’re not finding it. I know I’m not crazy.”
I told my ex-husband about my sister’s symptoms. His mother had battled breast cancer twice. He thought that my sister may have cancer and would need to advocate for herself to get more testing to find it.
It wasn’t until my sister advocated for herself that she got a CT scan. That’s when they found the tumor. The cancer had already spread to her liver. She did not qualify for surgery and went through chemotherapy.
I flew back and forth between San Antonio and my sister’s home in Chicago to be a caregiver for her. We were lucky to have her for a year and half until she passed away.
She was able to plan her funeral the way she wanted. She even planned the lunch after the service down to the menu. She chose her casket and outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was to her liking.
Not a lot of people can properly go the way they want. I’m truly grateful that she could.
Paula: What inspired you to begin volunteering with PanCAN?
Shenel: After my sister’s passing, I kept seeing ads on Facebook for PanCAN PurpleStride San Antonio. I joined as an affiliate volunteer that year and became Affiliate Chair last year.
I started volunteering with PanCAN because I don't want other people to have to go through the same experience I did. If other patients with pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed earlier and receive treatment, then they may survive. I want to help in any capacity I can.
Hearing survivor stories is the reason why I advocate for patients. For instance, the husband of our Survivor Outreach Chair was given 30 days to live. He’s now been in remission for five years. Stories like that push me forward to say that it is possible to survive and thrive.
Last year, I served as a panelist for PanCAN’s PRIDE in Cancer Care discussion on the unique challenges and triumphs faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in cancer care. It was great to assist with that opportunity as well.
I'm also one of the directors and membership chair for the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) – Greater San Antonio. A lot of members are in health care, and one connected me to doctors at the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. Now we’ve built a connection there.
Particularly with the recent cuts in federal research funding for pancreatic cancer, it’s good for us to build connections with researchers and encourage them to continue working on early detection and treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Paula: What message would you share with others who have lost loved ones to pancreatic cancer?
You’re not alone, and every day is an opportunity to honor their memories.
Paula: What are your focus areas for the rest of 2025?
Shenel: Empowering other volunteers within the affiliate to take on more responsibilities. It takes a team to raise awareness. Bringing engagement back to pre-Covid levels and sharing information about PanCAN’s research initiatives.
We as volunteers can let the community know that there are resources like PanCAN Patient Services available and more opportunities to be advocates. We must work as a team and strengthen the community to move forward.
Paula: How do you structure affiliate meetings?
Shenel: The territory for the San Antonio Affiliate is big; in addition to San Antonio, it encompasses Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and the surrounding areas. We have a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. We usually hold in-person meetings on the weekends because people are driving to San Antonio from Laredo and Austin. We have virtual meetings too, but the energy is different when you’re in person!
Paula: What do you do for work?
Shenel: I’m a project manager for a commercial sign company that works with commercial theaters, fast-food restaurants, hotels and more across the nation. I've been in the construction industry for 10 years now. I’ve been with my current company for four years. Previously, I worked as a sales coordinator for manufacturing companies selling metal roofs and wall panels.
Paula: Have you drawn on your project management skills as Affiliate Chair?
Shenel: Absolutely!
I work on site plans and make sure that we meet deadlines, preferably before the customers expect the projects to be done and under budget. I have 60 to 80 work orders a month and projects from Alaska to Florida.
Logistics is something I live and breathe every day! I'm able to maximize my resources and see how I can accomplish more with a limited budget in a short amount of time.
I’m able to identify the skills of people in my network and use them to amplify their businesses and support PanCAN. At PurpleStride, we have people like our caricaturist and photographer who I met through my role at the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. They give their services as in-kind donations.
Paula: You are heavily involved in your community. What are your other favorite causes?
Shenel: On top of my day job, PanCAN volunteer work, and role at the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, I speak at multiple charitable events. I’ve had a lot of leadership experience, so I want to share my stories and motivate the next generation.
I speak at mentoring events hosted by Girls, Inc. I discuss my career and everything I do in the construction industry. There are not many women, particularly Asian American women, in my field. While volunteering with PanCAN, I was also the President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio Chapter from 2021-2023.
In addition, I'm in massage school at night. I'm massaging 20 hours a week. When I was caring for my sister, I gave her massages. Learning different types of massage, including oncology, pre-natal, wellness, deep tissue and more, at my school has been fulfilling because I’m able to help alleviate the suffering of those in pain.
Paula: Why is educating others about Filipino American culture important to you?
Shenel: Not many Americans know about our culture and the impact that we make. Not enough people share our history. That's why I advocate for us and why I'm part of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. I'm also in a documentary about Filipino food titled Authentic or Not: The Filipino Food Revolution.
Many people don’t know that Tagalog is the third most spoken language in San Antonio and the fourth most spoken language in the United States. In California and Nevada, it's the second most spoken language. Not a lot of people know that the Philippines was colonized by Spain for 333 years – longer than Mexico was under Spanish rule – and then by the U.S. for almost 50 years.
I’m helping to plan a fundraiser, Filipino BBQ Throwdown Street Food Fest, on June 15 in San Antonio. It’s a celebration of Filipino culture, cuisine and community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the PACC Texas Foundation, which provides critical aid to disaster-affected communities in the Philippines and the United States.
Paula: What are your tips for our volunteers on how to manage a busy schedule?
Shenel: You must use your calendar. If it's not on the calendar, it's not happening. I plan everything down to the minute.
Always put yourself first, because you are the greatest tool that you have. If you are not sharpening the saw, you will not be good for other people. Sleeping, eating healthily, having your mind, body and soul aligned – if you don't have that right, you will not be the best version of yourself. Try to give what’s best of you instead of what’s left of you.
Paula: Thank you for everything you're doing for PanCAN, Shenel!
Please feel free to contact Shenel Rimando (srimando@pancanvolunteer.org) or Paula Mukherjee (pmukherjee@pancan.org) with any questions.
Paula: How have you been affected by pancreatic cancer?
Shenel: My sister passed away from pancreatic cancer in August 2019. We didn't have a family history, and I didn't know about pancreatic cancer before her diagnosis.
She got misdiagnosed three times. The doctors told her that her symptoms were all stress-induced. They said it was all in her head and that she needed to see a therapist instead.
They ran tests and found nothing; everything was clear. She didn’t get a CT scan.
She would call me crying and say, “I know my body. I know there’s something wrong, but they’re not finding it. I know I’m not crazy.”
I told my ex-husband about my sister’s symptoms. His mother had battled breast cancer twice. He thought that my sister may have cancer and would need to advocate for herself to get more testing to find it.
It wasn’t until my sister advocated for herself that she got a CT scan. That’s when they found the tumor. The cancer had already spread to her liver. She did not qualify for surgery and went through chemotherapy.
I flew back and forth between San Antonio and my sister’s home in Chicago to be a caregiver for her. We were lucky to have her for a year and half until she passed away.
She was able to plan her funeral the way she wanted. She even planned the lunch after the service down to the menu. She chose her casket and outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was to her liking.
Not a lot of people can properly go the way they want. I’m truly grateful that she could.
Paula: What inspired you to begin volunteering with PanCAN?
Shenel: After my sister’s passing, I kept seeing ads on Facebook for PanCAN PurpleStride San Antonio. I joined as an affiliate volunteer that year and became Affiliate Chair last year.
I started volunteering with PanCAN because I don't want other people to have to go through the same experience I did. If other patients with pancreatic cancer can be diagnosed earlier and receive treatment, then they may survive. I want to help in any capacity I can.
Hearing survivor stories is the reason why I advocate for patients. For instance, the husband of our Survivor Outreach Chair was given 30 days to live. He’s now been in remission for five years. Stories like that push me forward to say that it is possible to survive and thrive.
Last year, I served as a panelist for PanCAN’s PRIDE in Cancer Care discussion on the unique challenges and triumphs faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in cancer care. It was great to assist with that opportunity as well.
I'm also one of the directors and membership chair for the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) – Greater San Antonio. A lot of members are in health care, and one connected me to doctors at the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. Now we’ve built a connection there.
Particularly with the recent cuts in federal research funding for pancreatic cancer, it’s good for us to build connections with researchers and encourage them to continue working on early detection and treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Paula: What message would you share with others who have lost loved ones to pancreatic cancer?
You’re not alone, and every day is an opportunity to honor their memories.
Paula: What are your focus areas for the rest of 2025?
Shenel: Empowering other volunteers within the affiliate to take on more responsibilities. It takes a team to raise awareness. Bringing engagement back to pre-Covid levels and sharing information about PanCAN’s research initiatives.
We as volunteers can let the community know that there are resources like PanCAN Patient Services available and more opportunities to be advocates. We must work as a team and strengthen the community to move forward.
Paula: How do you structure affiliate meetings?
Shenel: The territory for the San Antonio Affiliate is big; in addition to San Antonio, it encompasses Austin, Corpus Christi, Laredo, and the surrounding areas. We have a mix of in-person and virtual meetings. We usually hold in-person meetings on the weekends because people are driving to San Antonio from Laredo and Austin. We have virtual meetings too, but the energy is different when you’re in person!
Paula: What do you do for work?
Shenel: I’m a project manager for a commercial sign company that works with commercial theaters, fast-food restaurants, hotels and more across the nation. I've been in the construction industry for 10 years now. I’ve been with my current company for four years. Previously, I worked as a sales coordinator for manufacturing companies selling metal roofs and wall panels.
Paula: Have you drawn on your project management skills as Affiliate Chair?
Shenel: Absolutely!
I work on site plans and make sure that we meet deadlines, preferably before the customers expect the projects to be done and under budget. I have 60 to 80 work orders a month and projects from Alaska to Florida.
Logistics is something I live and breathe every day! I'm able to maximize my resources and see how I can accomplish more with a limited budget in a short amount of time.
I’m able to identify the skills of people in my network and use them to amplify their businesses and support PanCAN. At PurpleStride, we have people like our caricaturist and photographer who I met through my role at the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. They give their services as in-kind donations.
Paula: You are heavily involved in your community. What are your other favorite causes?
Shenel: On top of my day job, PanCAN volunteer work, and role at the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, I speak at multiple charitable events. I’ve had a lot of leadership experience, so I want to share my stories and motivate the next generation.
I speak at mentoring events hosted by Girls, Inc. I discuss my career and everything I do in the construction industry. There are not many women, particularly Asian American women, in my field. While volunteering with PanCAN, I was also the President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio Chapter from 2021-2023.
In addition, I'm in massage school at night. I'm massaging 20 hours a week. When I was caring for my sister, I gave her massages. Learning different types of massage, including oncology, pre-natal, wellness, deep tissue and more, at my school has been fulfilling because I’m able to help alleviate the suffering of those in pain.
Paula: Why is educating others about Filipino American culture important to you?
Shenel: Not many Americans know about our culture and the impact that we make. Not enough people share our history. That's why I advocate for us and why I'm part of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce. I'm also in a documentary about Filipino food titled Authentic or Not: The Filipino Food Revolution.
Many people don’t know that Tagalog is the third most spoken language in San Antonio and the fourth most spoken language in the United States. In California and Nevada, it's the second most spoken language. Not a lot of people know that the Philippines was colonized by Spain for 333 years – longer than Mexico was under Spanish rule – and then by the U.S. for almost 50 years.
I’m helping to plan a fundraiser, Filipino BBQ Throwdown Street Food Fest, on June 15 in San Antonio. It’s a celebration of Filipino culture, cuisine and community. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the PACC Texas Foundation, which provides critical aid to disaster-affected communities in the Philippines and the United States.
Paula: What are your tips for our volunteers on how to manage a busy schedule?
Shenel: You must use your calendar. If it's not on the calendar, it's not happening. I plan everything down to the minute.
Always put yourself first, because you are the greatest tool that you have. If you are not sharpening the saw, you will not be good for other people. Sleeping, eating healthily, having your mind, body and soul aligned – if you don't have that right, you will not be the best version of yourself. Try to give what’s best of you instead of what’s left of you.
Paula: Thank you for everything you're doing for PanCAN, Shenel!
Please feel free to contact Shenel Rimando (srimando@pancanvolunteer.org) or Paula Mukherjee (pmukherjee@pancan.org) with any questions.
