Sister of Albany cop who succumbed to cancer now battling the disease

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) - A local family's strength is getting them through a tough battle after two family members were diagnosed with cancer. One of them was an Albany Police officer, who fought until his very last day. The other? His younger sister.

Now, family and friends are stepping up and planning a fundraiser for this weekend to help the family through their situation.

"There's no word to describe how upsetting it can be for a family,” Jessica Fuller said.

Fuller is a friend of the Meehan family, who has seen the effects of cancer more than once.

Albany Police Officer Kevin Meehan passed away in February at 37 after fighting a rare form of esophageal cancer. Months later, his sister, Megan, was diagnosed.

"What Kevin went through was such a shock, and then to lose him was that much more upsetting and I don't think in a million years, anyone thought it would happen to Megan,” Fuller said.

Megan Meehan, 36, is being treated for cancer in her small intestine - a cancer similar to what her brother battled.

"Both are not super common and especially not common in someone this young and healthy. Both were very unexpected," Fuller said.

Now Fuller and others are holding a fundraiser on Sunday at her gym, CrossFit For The People in Albany.

"Every penny is going toward Megan’s treatment," Fuller said.

The Meehan family's fight raises a concern over understanding your family’s medical history.

Bonnie Liebers is the CEO of the Genetic Counseling Services in Schenectady. She says getting tested for gene mutations has become easier and cheaper in recent years.

"Ask yourself: Are there two or three cases of cancer in a family? Are there two generations of cancer in a family. Is there one early onset or unusual cancer?" Liebers said.

She says genetic testing at a hospital or with a healthcare provider can result in early detection - and maybe save a life.

"Any one of those three [questions] would put you in a place to begin thinking of a risk assessment for genetic counseling and possible eligibility for genetic testing," Liebers said.

The CrossFit fundraiser starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Albany’s CrossFit For The People. There will be music, food, and of course, workout sessions for all levels.

If you're interested in learning more about genetic testing, click here.