Spotlight: Special events raise awareness - Lung Cancer Research Foundation

This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating the creativity and courage of supporters who turn gatherings into impact. From trivia nights to annual parties, these events raise awareness, fund research, and bring people together to spread hope.

Do It for Dan: Trivia Night

“The Do It for Dan Foundation was created to honor Dan’s legacy by turning our grief into meaningful action.”

When Dan Begg was diagnosed in November 2023 with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer caused by a rare EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutation, he was just 32 — healthy, active, and full of life. Despite the only targeted therapy and a clinical trial, he passed away six months later.

In his final days, Dan made one last act of generosity by choosing to donate his body to the National Cancer Institute to support future research. His tumor is now part of a groundbreaking study at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the first of its kind for this rare mutation.

His wife, Josephine, created the Do It for Dan Foundation to honor his legacy by “turning our grief into meaningful action.” She says, “I lost my husband after just six months. He had a rare mutation, and the only available treatment didn’t work. For him — and for our daughter — I wanted to do something that could help ensure other families have more options than we did.”

Determined to keep his spirit alive, Josephine decided to try something new — a Trivia Night for Research. “We’d hosted other fundraisers before, but I wanted an event that really brought people together in a fun, interactive way,” she explains. “Trivia felt like the perfect fit.”

With the help of friends and family, she organized a night filled with laughter, connection, and purpose: a reflection of how loved Dan was. Each round of trivia didn’t just spark competition; it sparked conversation about why lung cancer research and awareness are so vital.

Josephine says that for her, “Hope is seeing more FDA-approved immunotherapy treatments and more drugs moving successfully through clinical trials. Some mutations have only one treatment option, and others have none. Expanding those options is what hope means to me.”

Her advice for others thinking about hosting their own fundraiser? “You absolutely can. If everyone believed their contribution didn’t matter, no one would ever try. Even a small impact is still an impact. Research ideas, get creative, and don’t hesitate to reach out and cold email everyone! You’ll be amazed by how many local businesses and community members are eager to help make a difference.”

Jeanne May Coffey: 10th Anniversary Blow Out

“This year is in memory of my biggest supporter: Mom.”

Jeanne’s story is one of incredible resilience. After surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and a targeted therapy, Jeanne has remained positive. “Hope looks good to me as a lung cancer patient,” she says. “From day one, I’ve put in my mind that I am no different than before my diagnosis. All the research done before has allowed me to live a regular, happy life. Research is the key for me — for myself and for others.”

This is Jeanne’s 10th year raising funds for lung cancer research, with more than $95,000 donated to date. The celebration every year includes generous prize donations, a special JetBlue raffle, live music, dancing, drinks, food and great company!
“I have always been a giving person,” Jeanne says. “I had always wanted to host a fundraiser — this awful diagnosis gave me the reason. The rally of people behind me gave me the strength and perseverance to do it the first year after diagnosis.”

Jeanne wants to share to her friends, family and medical team: “Thank you for supporting our efforts over the last nine years. We’re so grateful for our physicians and for you.”

“My advice for anyone thinking about hosting their own fundraiser? Do it! You’ll feel so good being part of helping research go on. You’ll find people who want to help, and you’ll meet others whose lives have been touched by cancer. Fundraising means the world to me — it makes me feel part of a team in the fight against this disease.”