In the upstate Catholic community, two examples of heroic fatherhood are Troy Billings and Joseph Mazzawi. Both have wives undergoing treatment for cancer and children at home to care for, yet both have displayed faithful and fearless fortitude as men, husbands and fathers.

Troy — Simpsonville, SC

Kathleen Billings is recovering from surgery to remove a kidney that had an encapsulated cancerous tumor. Troy said the family has had to “step up our game” under his leadership, though everyone misses the rhythm of life with Kathleen at the helm.

“From the moment of my diagnosis, Troy has helped me carry the cross of cancer — physically, emotionally and spiritually,” Kathleen said. “I’ve never felt alone in the journey with him by my side. I thank God daily for blessing me with a husband who deeply loves [the Lord] and because of this is capable of tapping into the grace of our marital sacrament to carry me and love me through this difficult season.

“It is also a beautiful witness to our children of being faithful in sickness and in health,” she added.

“As a husband, I knew cancer could be life-changing. We didn’t know at first if it had metastasized. On the human side, I experienced concern, fear and worry; yet that was juxtaposed with my faith, which allowed me to patiently wait, believing that God uses everything for his glory,” Troy said.

After surgery, the couple learned Kathleen had the most aggressive form of kidney cancer. Troy attributes prayer to the fact that it didn’t spread and was caught early. The Billingses have a special devotion to Venerable Fulton Sheen — who will be beatified Sept. 24, 2026 — and believe God gave them reassurance through his intercession while they prayed a novena. The surgery on Monday of Holy Week was successful, and Kathleen was able to go home on Holy Thursday. She is currently cancer free.

“Kathleen is my one, true love. Heaven forbid she would go before me, I know she is and always will be the only one for me. I would have no interest in marrying anyone else. My mission is to be her husband and to love her with all my heart until death do us part,” Troy said.

“As husbands we are called to fulfill the marital vows. It is easy to do in good times and good health, yet I have discovered that the true fulfillment of the vows comes in hard times and bad health,” he said.

Joseph — Duncan, SC

Mandy Mazzawi’s cancer diagnosis came after a long process of waiting for answers. Joseph said he had to trust in God, knowing there was only so much he could control.

“I think one of the important lessons for me was to be vulnerable and open to receiving help. I have always enjoyed being the one to help others. This process requires you to be vulnerable and open to other people,” Joseph said.

He saw many relationships blossom — people reached out through prayer, provided meals and gift cards and helped with the children. He described what the family experienced as a “community of love.”

“I have been reflecting on the fact that I work in health care. I heard about the prominence of cancer and how many people experience cancer or have [had to] accompany a loved one, yet I am more deeply connected to them and their stories as we are going through it now ourselves,” he said.

Mandy’s stage two breast cancer diagnosis, along with additional challenges, including the hospitalization of his father, tested Joseph’s faith.

“On this journey, I had to rely on God. I am a doer; I am the ‘Martha,’ and this experience has tested my own personal bandwidth.

“I had to stretch, and it doesn’t always feel glorious, yet you can grow to be a better Christian, learning to be more steadfast, learning how to be more faithful in the midst of suffering and hardship,” he said.

Mandy said Joseph’s selflessness has gotten her through it all. “Joseph has truly laid down his life for our family in our moment of need and difficulty. Working full time, while also being at all my chemo treatments, he comes home to do laundry, cleans, drives the kids all over, helps with homework, makes meals and is present to the kids and me.” She said he has done it all “without complaint. It’s been a beautiful witness to the kind of love Christ has for us.”

“Being a parent makes you a better person, and since Mandy has been sick, it has required me to be more hands on with the children, and I am experiencing more of daily life with them,” Joseph said. “This experience has made me become a better dad because I have had to step up in different ways, making lunches and keeping the children on track. 
I appreciate Mandy so much more and all that she would do.”

His advice to other fathers in similar situations: “You have to just take the next step. You have to focus on just that and not allow everything in the possible future to swallow you up.”

These two men are showing their children and communities what faith looks like, and that true love requires sacrifice.

“Love for his wife as mother of their children and love for the children themselves are for the man the natural way of understanding and fulfilling his own fatherhood” (Familiaris Consortio).