When Mackenzie Lighton lost her mum, Debra, to mesothelioma in 2023, she was only 20 years old.
The grief was all-consuming—but so too was a deep sense of helplessness.
“It’s not just the grief,” Mackenzie says. “It’s the frustration of knowing that there is still so much work to be done in raising awareness of asbestos and finding better treatments.”
Mackenzie, who helped care for Debra during her illness, saw first-hand how relentless the disease can be.
“I wanted to be home and be with her, but it was very emotionally taxing.
My dad, younger sister and I tried to share the load caring for mum,” she explains, “but being home in that environment is quite hard because as carer there is no break.”
Reflections met Debra in 2022 where we provided one-to-one specialist nursing support to her, and support to her husband Anthony, and the two girls.
“Reflections were incredible,” she says. “They were a constant support for mum, regularly checking in and genuinely caring about her wellbeing. They extended that kindness to my family as well. That kind of support makes a world of difference when you’re facing something like this.”
Wanting to give back and help raise awareness so other families don’t have to go through what hers did. Mackenzie organised a fundraiser for Reflections in 2022 while her mum was still alive.
“At the time, I felt powerless. Fundraising gave me a way to channel that energy, to honour Mum and raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos.”
That fundraiser raised over $20,000—a remarkable effort that truly made a huge difference to who Reflections can support other WA families affected by mesothelioma.
A year later, in 2023, Debra passed away. It was just shy of the two year prognosis she had been given, and just before Mackenzie’s 21st birthday.
“At my 21st, obviously mum couldn’t give a speech, but when I was in Year 12 we went on a retreat together and the parents had to write letters to their kids. I read that out – it was really nice that I had that opportunity to have her speak.”
After Debra passed away, Mackenzie made the tough decision to move to part-time study, extending her degree to give herself space to heal.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew I needed that time to look after myself and stay connected to the people and thing that kept me grounded.”
In 2024, she graduated from The University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, majoring in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Her next step? A research project that hits close to home.
With support from the Cancer Council WA Vacation Scholarship, she’s exploring how radiation influences the tumour immune microenvironment—work that could contribute to more effective cancer immunotherapies in the future.
“I don’t know exactly where this path will take me, but I do know that I’ll carry this experience with me, using it to make a difference where I can.”
Founded in 2015, Mesothelioma and Dust Diseases Australia Ltd (MADDA) raises awareness of the risks of asbestos and supports people with mesothelioma.
Reducing the impact of asbestos
Mesothelioma and Dust Diseases Australia Ltd (MADDA) is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) ABN 57 605 192 710
