CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A staple in the Charlotte community who has been there for so many people is fighting for her own life after being diagnosed with cancer.

Judy Williams, co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Offspring, has been diagnosed with stage three lung cancer.

She tell us the illness came from second-hand smoke from people smoking at MOMO vigils. Since finding out about the illness, she says she plans to stay away from future vigils to protect her lungs.

Williams founded MOMO after the death of her daughter in 1993.