The Messengers' Shantel VanSanten Honored By American Lung Association

Shantel VanSanten wears some bright turquoise heels for the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE event on Tuesday night (May 12) in New York City.

The ALA just launched it’s Share Your Voice initiative, which raises awareness of the number one cancer killer of women, lung cancer and Shantel, 29, was actually honored at the event!

“Today has been an HONOR beyond comprehension or words. @LUNGFORCE gave me this award tonight. They have made such a positive impact this last year and are a strong platform we should all participate with. I share this award with each of you who donated, supported, shared your stories and evoked change with me. We have more work ahead but with #ShareYourVoice we have the opportunity to make others aware,” she wrote on Instagram.

Shantel added, “The opportunity to fight alongside those fighting for themselves. The opportunity to inspire and educate. Our voice can honor the voiceless and let those fighting know they are not alone. We need to ERASE the stigma and raise awarness. I dedicate this award to my grandma she is the reason I have this opportunity. Bittersweet as this moment is she is my hero. She bravely fought #lungcancer so I fight on to honor her until the the ugly C word, cancer is replaced with a new C word… CURED!! Tonight I feel so close to her and grateful beyond expression. #iloveyouGrandma #LUNGFORCE #sleepingwiththis.”