Before Earla Marshall’s two-time diagnoses of breast cancer, she played the role of caregiver for her mother and father and following her own second diagnosis, to her sister, all who battled some form of cancer. Somehow she conjured up extraordinary strength to cope and endure the pain that ensued. She came out of those situations a stronger person, which incidentally, may have prepared her to battle breast cancer twice. This devastating family history of cancer has led to one positive outcome - a family history of philanthropy.
Earla’s experience at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC not only encompassed being a patient, but a caregiver when her mother, Theressa Felix was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, her sister, Elizabeth Swick was diagnosed with breast cancer twice, and Earla’s father, Earland, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. She became well versed in the cancer arena long before she was diagnosed.
Her sister’s perseverance prevailed as she battled breast cancer and won and is a Magee patient. On the other hand, her mother, also a Magee patient, lost her battle to ovarian cancer and passed away in 1994 and her father passed away from prostate cancer in 1989. Recently, Earla discovered something she had forgotten about her mother – she included Magee-Womens Foundation (MWF) in her obituary, thus pushing the family’s tradition of giving to Magee back further than originally thought.
The same day someone from MWF contacted Earla about sharing her Magee story she was helping her aunt, her mother’s sister, pack up for her move to California. As Earla was leaving, her aunt handed her an envelope and said, “Here, take these pictures and news clippings.” Before Earla went to bed that night, she sifted through the stack. Toward the end of the pile was her mother’s obituary. At the end of the obituary it was suggested that memorial contributions go to MWF.
Earla Marshall has supported MWF on two different occasions, in 2003 and 2008. Her gifts supported the General Fund, where donations can be designated to support any hospital program. Recently, Earla’s son, David, lent financial support in her honor through his high school graduation senior project in which he organized a hockey tournament as a fundraiser in support of breast cancer research at Magee-Womens Research Institute.
Earla believes we are all on life’s journey together and that it takes us through different twists and turns. She also feels that we all have a moral obligation to help each other when and however we can. After being a caregiver for her family, she battled breast cancer twice and persevered.
Today, she owns her own company called EFM Image Consultants and enjoys spending time with her family, including two children, David and Allison, 18 and 15, respectively, and her husband, Harold.
“We are fortunate to have world-class care in our region,” states Earla. “I encourage everyone to lend their support to Magee not only for your own possible needs, but also the needs of the sisterhood of women around you. Because as we all know, life works in mysterious ways and unfortunately, not everyone has the means to be properly treated for their illnesses. No matter the amount of your donation, you have the potential to help someone in need.”
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