Fighting Like a Mountaineer
Alumna Ann Chalos uses passion for alma mater to battle the odds
As a graduate of West Virginia University, Ann Chalos not only gained an education, she also acquired the true courage and determination of a Mountaineer to help her establish a successful business and face adversity when diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 41.
Born in West Virginia and raised in neighboring Ohio, Ann completed her undergraduate education at Middle Tennessee State University, but chose WVU as the best place to obtain her master’s degree. “I selected WVU for graduate school as I was completing an internship at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Morgantown as a public affairs specialist,” says Chalos. “The agricultural education discipline allowed me the flexibility to customize course choices and enabled me to choose the best curriculum to complement my experiences.”
After graduating in 2003 with a master’s degree from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, Chalos relocated from Harrisville, W.Va., to Nashville, Tenn., with hopes of continuing her role as an entrepreneur. “I experienced a stent in government, but I’ve been self-employed since 1995,” she explains. “I feel that it’s worth taking the risk as an entrepreneur, because things can work out.” She was able to combine the skills she learned as a student at WVU with her life-long interest in flipping houses into a thriving real estate company, AMS Appraisal Group.
Though Ann conducts her business ventures outside of West Virginia, there is no mistaking that her Mountaineer spirit is still very strong. In August 2009, the mother of three was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer and only given 18-24 months to live. But even in the process of undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, double mastectomy and three reconstructive surgeries – all within a year’s time—Ann never gave up hope. “I knew that I was going to fight like a Mountaineer,” she says.
Ann even took on the role of leading the WVU Music City Alumni Chapter in Nashville after her diagnosis because she wanted to do something for her alma mater that would continue on for many generations. “An experience like cancer makes you realize the importance of life. It’s not about how much money you make, but how you deal with adversity, being a good mother and caregiver, and giving back,” Ann says.
Not only did her diagnosis reinforce her desire to help WVU, but she explains how much support she received from the great people of West Virginia. Her parents, Edward and Ann Smith, who both graduated from WVU, currently reside in Harrisville. “I received such a great outreach in the form of cards and prayer from the people there. I miss the people of West Virginia the most.”
Most recently, alumni and friends in the Nashville area joined Ann in the “Race for the Cure.” Clad in their “Fight Like a Mountaineer” t-shirts, the army of gold and blue spent the day raising money for breast cancer research, while supporting their favorite WVU grad.
Despite all of the obstacles the cancer has presented, Ann is happy to say that she currently has “no evidence of the disease.” She encourages women to know their body and to perform self exams. “Cancer will affect one out of every eight women, and as Mountaineers we can band together and help make people aware.”
This feature story was written by Lyndsey Loughry, a professional writing student at WVU.