WVU Cancer Institute Patient Turns Diagnosis Into Advocacy, Emphasizing Hope and Early Detection

MORGANTOWN, WV — When MIKE KNECHT received a diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer in 2023, he made a deliberate choice that shaped his entire treatment journey. Instead of withdrawing, MIKE KNECHT stayed positive, remained active in the community, and used his experience to encourage others facing similar battles. His personal motto — “Enjoy every sandwich” — became a message of resilience he shared freely with those around him.

MIKE KNECHT underwent treatment through the WVU CANCER INSTITUTE, beginning with chemotherapy and radiation after his cancer was classified as limited-stage. His treatment plan also included prophylactic brain radiation designed to reduce the chance of the cancer spreading to the brain. When a recurrence appeared earlier this year, his care expanded to include immunotherapy alongside continued medical supervision from the WVU CANCER INSTITUTE care team.

MIKE KNECHT and providers at the WVU CANCER INSTITUTE point to a broader shift occurring in lung-cancer care. For decades, treatment centered primarily on chemotherapy. Now, immunotherapy, targeted treatments, improved radiation-oncology techniques, and clinical-trial options are giving patients more tools than ever before. These advances are helping improve quality of life and offering renewed hope to individuals diagnosed with aggressive cancers such as SCLC.

MIKE KNECHT said learning about these changes helped frame his diagnosis differently and motivated him to stay engaged. His approach became twofold: focusing on his own treatment while also supporting others. He began volunteering through national lung-cancer advocacy programs, serving as a patient support contact — a role that allows him to share encouragement, information, and perspective gained from firsthand experience.

His advocacy includes participating in public education efforts aimed at early detection, which remains a major factor in treatment success. West Virginia continues to face high rates of smoking-related cancers, and providers at the WVU CANCER INSTITUTE emphasize the importance of screenings and patient awareness across the state.

Between treatment cycles, MIKE KNECHT and his family traveled to Yosemite National Park — something he described as a reminder of what he wants to keep fighting for. Through every stage of his diagnosis, he has emphasized the same mindset: optimism is not denial but determination, and hope can remain even in difficult circumstances.

MIKE KNECHT continues treatment and advocacy work simultaneously, choosing every day to share strength and encouragement with others navigating cancer. His testimony through the WVU CANCER INSTITUTE highlights not only medical progress but the impact of positivity, connection, and early screening for individuals and families across West Virginia.

At Appalachian Post, we report only what first-hand sources confirm. All details come directly from institutional releases, direct patient testimony, and primary documentation. No speculation or interpretation is added to our reporting.

Primary First-Hand Sources:
— WVU CANCER INSTITUTE – OFFICIAL PATIENT CARE AND TREATMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION
— MIKE KNECHT – DIRECT PATIENT TESTIMONY PROVIDED THROUGH WVU MEDICINE COMMUNICATIONS

Secondary Attribution-Based Sources:
— Reporting from WV News summarizing Knecht’s treatment and advocacy.
— Public educational materials regarding advancements in small-cell lung-cancer therapy.