Alicia McLaughlin: A Journey of Resilience Through Brain and Breast Cancer
Alicia McLaughlin’s story of surviving both brain and breast cancer is one of hope and determination. A Greenville native and Wofford College graduate, Alicia’s life reflects resilience and faith. This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, her journey aligns with the Cancer Survivor’s Park mission: celebrating survivors and fostering hope.
Alicia’s cancer journey began at 16, in the summer of 1996. She noticed a small bump on her head while washing her hair. At first, she thought it was just a natural ridge in her scalp. However, a CT scan showed asymmetrical temporal lobes, and an MRI confirmed a right temporal lesion. She also had headaches and temporary left visual impairment. The discovery led to a resection that same year. Pathology identified a low-grade oligodendroglioma, a benign brain tumor. “I was just about to start my senior year of high school,” Alicia recalls. “It was overwhelming, but I leaned on my family and faith to keep moving forward.”
The tumor’s shadow lingered. In 2003, an MRI showed new enhancement in the surgical cavity, prompting a biopsy and resection at Duke University. The pathology remained low-grade oligodendroglioma, but the procedure severed her optic tract, resulting in partial vision loss. “I had to relearn how to read and walk,” Alicia shares. “There were days my mom and I just cried together, wondering how to face this new normal.” With therapy and determination, she adapted, showing the body’s remarkable ability to adjust.
To preserve her dream of motherhood, Alicia underwent Lupron injections to suppress her ovaries before and after a year of Temodar chemotherapy. “I always wanted to be a mom,” she says. “That hope kept me focused.” For the next decade, her condition stayed stable and was monitored by regular scans. In November 2016, however, an MRI revealed a small area of nodular enhancement—anaplastic oligodendroglioma, an aggressive cancer. Specialists at the Cleveland Clinic decided surgery was too risky because of the tumor’s location. Instead, Alicia underwent Gamma Knife radiation and chemotherapy. “The radiation involved a helmet bolted to my head—it was intense,” she says. “But the treatment was successful. My scans have shown no enhancement since, and I celebrate each clear MRI.”
Alicia’s breast cancer journey began with her mother’s history as a two-time survivor. Genetic testing revealed that both carried the PALB2 gene, heightening Alicia’s risk. “Knowing this, I alternated yearly mammograms and breast MRIs,” she explains. In September 2018, just two years after her brain cancer diagnosis, Alicia learned she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). “It was terrifying, especially after everything with my brain,” Alicia admits. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. Her medical team’s belief in early detection proved well-founded; for seven years, her scans have remained clear. This underscores the power of proactive screening.
Alicia’s husband, Jeff McLaughlin, has been her rock since they met online in 2012; his humor and coaching spirit balance her practicality. “He’s been my cheerleader through everything,” she says. Jeff’s involvement in the Men Wear Pink campaign and his role as a baseball coach at Eastside High School reflect their shared commitment to community. Alicia’s parents and her sister have also been pillars of support. “We’ve cried and laughed together through every milestone,” she says. Her mantra, “Grateful beyond words; blessed beyond measure”, guides her, primarily through her greatest blessings: marrying Jeff and the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Anne (EA), in 2022. After years of infertility struggles due to chemotherapy, Alicia discovered she was five months pregnant during a routine visit, mistaking symptoms for menopause. “I thought I needed an appointment for something else,” she laughs. “When they told me I was pregnant, Jeff and I were overjoyed.” Despite a prenatal heart abnormality requiring delivery in Charleston, EA was born healthy, her condition resolving naturally. “She’s our relay baby,” Alicia says, referencing their American Cancer Society Relay for Life involvement. “EA gives me purpose every day.”
An avid photographer, Alicia finds solace in capturing Greenville’s beauty. She enjoys photographing places from the Peace Center to the Cancer Survivors Park. “Photography helps me focus on the present,” she says. Her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society began with her mother’s journey. Alicia participates in Relay for Life and Making Strides events, bringing light to others with EA. “It’s about community—laughing, supporting, and proving that life goes on,” she says.
The Cancer Survivors Park is special to Alicia. Jeff arranged a surprise anniversary tour, led by Cancer Survivor’s Park board member Tom Bates. Learning about the park’s history and connections deepened her appreciation. “This park is a gift to Greenville,” she says. “It’s a place to reflect, heal, and feel hope.” Alicia’s story echoes Collin Raye’s song “Many a Mile,” especially its promise that “the best is still around the bend.” She holds to two truths: never give up hope, and early detection saves lives. “Knowledge is power,” she advises. “Get screened, stay vigilant, and live every moment fully.”
As Alicia looks to the future, she is transitioning into a career focused on data analysis and process improvement. She is driven by a passion for efficiency and growth. Alicia holds a master’s in international business, has completed a marathon, and has a life enriched by travel and study abroad. She’s determined to keep evolving. “Life is a gift,” she says. “I’m here for EA, for Jeff, for my family—and for myself.”
Know someone who has experienced cancer and should be featured in the Survivor Stories? Send us a message at info@cancersurvivorspark.org
Story by Mary Pat Minor
Photog by Sliced Tomato Productions