Mary Schnack has befriended and helped thousands of women around the world. Now, they’re helping her.

Schnack is a world-renowned consultant, particularly to aid and support women in leadership. She is a journalist who wrote for many major publications. For the past 35 years, Schnack has owned a public relations consulting business. Most of her work took Schnack around the world speaking and conducting communications training. Often she brought businesswomen from emerging nations, like Rwanda, to the United States to learn Western business practices.

“She has had a profound impact on the lives of so many around the world,” said Martha Mertz, a longtime friend. “At events, Mary worked the room to connect people she thought should meet each other, whether it was the [Scorpion] booster club or an international convention.”

Although Schnack’s business is based in Washington, D.C., she also lived in Sedona for many years. Now, Schnack is back in Sedona staying with one of her close friends, Bobbie Surber, as she loses her eighth battle with cancer.

“I brought her to Sedona to spend the remainder of her time here, and we’re all taking care of her around the clock,” Surber said and pointed to a schedule where dozens of names appear.

Schnack’s bed faces a picture window that frames a view of the red rocks. In her room Thursday, Feb. 2, four friends talked about what Schnack meant to them and the impact she has had on the world. Because of medication, Schnack was not able to join the conversation. However, the women in the room talked about how Schnack was a fierce friend and a mentor who helped them become the best they could be.

Mertz met Schnack through mutual friend Barbara Litrell, and Mertz counts Schnack as one of her dearest and best friends.

“She is supportive, generous and we flew off together many times. She was always going somewhere to help someone,” Mertz said. “She knew everyone wherever we went, whether Africa or Asia, Mary fills a room.”

Mertz presented Schnack with the ATHENA Award, which recognizes a person who demonstrates a high level of professional excellence and who assists other women in realizing their full leadership potential. Mertz founded ATHENA International.

Schnack grew up on a farm in Iowa and majored in journalism in college. She has received numerous awards for her work as a writer, reporter, public relations professional and an advocate for the disabled, cancer research, women business owners and small businesses. Among her awards are the Gutsy Gals Inspire Me in 2011, 50 Women of Influence and Power in 2011, 2010 Enterprising Women of the Year, Advertising Working Mother of the Year in 2008, Women in Business Advocate of the Year in 2004, Entrepreneurial Excellence in 2004 and the Pioneer Award in 2001 from the National Association of Women Business Owners.

The Arizona Department of Transportation hired Schnack as a consultant on the State Route 179 project. She also coached girls basketball for Sedona Red Rock High School.

“She has helped more people than can be counted,” she said. “Giving is just a part of her.”

Amy Andrews met Schnack 17 years ago. As she sat in Schnack’s room, Andrews related a story about Schnack as she recovered from one of her surgeries. A woman in the bed next to Schnack was crying.

“Mary motioned for me to get a notepad and wrote, ‘Is someone taking care of her?’” Andrews said. “Here she was fighting for her life, and she was concerned about someone else.”

The women talked most about friendship and all it included.

“She’s a loyal friend and 100 percent honest. She brings out the best in all of her friends — she certainly did me. She challenges you to reach beyond your comfort zone,” Surber said.

Surber said one of the accomplishments in life Schnack is most proud of is her daughter, Erika.

“Mary’s family is her life,” Surber said. “She also has a huge extended family of friends and acquaintances. I field a lot of emails from people all over the world. She received a letter from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The ambassador’s wife from Kenya flew out to spend a weekend at Mary’s bedside.”

Schnack was never one to brag about herself. She always made sure others received credit and attention.

“Even through her bouts with cancer, she’d have the surgery and six weeks later be back out on the road,” said Karen Frye.

Schnack is a devotee of the Sedona International Film Festival. This year she is the subject of a documentary film by Karen Frye. Two years ago, Frye was in Schnack’s kitchen and told Schnack she wanted to make and produce films.

“She told me I need to stop making excuses,” Frye said. “She also told me her cancer returned. I asked her, ‘Can I document you?’ and she said, ‘Why not?’”

Frye’s film starts at Stanford and follows Schnack for two years.

“We finished it in December. Now our film is in the festival. She was going to introduce it, but she’s so sick now she won’t be able to,” Frye said. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Schnack, asleep in her bed.

“She’ll be there in spirit,” Mertz said.

The documentary feature, “When Cancer Returns: The Mary Schnack Story,” will play at Harkins Theatres Sedona Six on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 9 a.m.

The women also talked about lessons Schnack taught them. They agreed Schnack would say to all women not to apologize for having strength, to find a passion and to live life to its fullest.

“She’d also say don’t let your fears stop you from where you want to be,” Surber said. “Women around the world have benefited for having known Mary.”