Nineteen years after Elliot Chalmé A”H passed away from lung cancer, he continues to inspire action and hope.
The 18th annual Elliot’s Legacy Kites for a Cure, a beachside family carnival featuring kite flying in his honor, took place August 17. Hundreds of people – most of them families with children – enjoyed a beautiful day with just the right amount of wind for the main activity.
LCRF Board member Ray Chalmé, his brothers Richie and Hy, their mother Robin and a new generation of Chalmés have raised more than $8 million since the event’s inception in 2007.
“What started as a way to honor one man’s life has become a force that touches thousands – turning grief into purpose, and loss into lasting change,” said Richie Chalmé. The entire family is grateful to the generous sponsors and donors who have supported the event year after year and are proud of the impact they are making on the future for patients with lung cancer.
Next month, Ray Chalmé will be honored during LCRF’s 4th annual Evening of Innovation Gala. The gala will take place Sept. 17 at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. He has had an enormous impact on lung cancer research, the research community, and countless people affected by lung cancer for nearly two decades.
“Ray’s commitment to lung cancer research is immeasurable,” remarked Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director of LCRF. “He has inspired so many to share in the vision of one day curing lung cancer through research. It is only fitting that we honor him, and the life-changing impact of the support he and his family have given this community.”
“Being honored at this event means the world to me,” said Ray Chalmé. “It’s amazing to see how far lung cancer research has come since we lost our dad. Knowing that we’ve played a role in helping people live longer and pushing research forward is incredibly rewarding. When we started Elliot’s Legacy, there was no surviving lung cancer. Now, survival rates are up, and some of my fellow LCRF board members are living proof of that. That’s all because of research. But there’s still so much more to do, and my family and I are dedicated to keeping this fight going. I’m truly honored to be part of LCRF’s mission.”