LCRF kicked off Lung Cancer Awareness Month with its 2022 Scientific Symposium on November 1. The recording of the event is available below.
A very special thanks to our program chair and moderator, Katerina Politi, PhD; and all of our presenters: speaker Antoinette J. Wozniak, MD, FACP, FASCO; David J. Kwiatkowski, MD, PhD; Trudy G. Oliver, BSc (Hons), PhD; Christian Rolfo, MD, PhD, MBA; Kurt Schalper, MD, PhD; and Alison Taylor, PhD.
LCRF thanks Eli Lilly & Company for sponsoring the event.
NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2022) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is pleased to announce the addition of Antoinette J. Wozniak, MD, FACP, FASCO to its senior leadership team as its first Chief Scientific Officer. She will begin her role in its official capacity in February 2023.
Dr. Wozniak will work with LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), senior leadership, and strategic advisors to design and execute a strategic scientific plan that fulfills LCRF’s mission. Her role will be a critical component of defining the organization’s research priorities. In addition, she will lead building and cultivation of stakeholder alliances with academic, industry, nonprofit and government entities, as well as manage LCRF’s growing grant and investment portfolio.
“Having Dr. Wozniak in this role will strengthen LCRF’s research portfolio, its future research investments, and help to ensure we meet our strategic objectives as an organization,” said Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director. “Her hands-on experience as a clinician and researcher is invaluable to meeting the needs of the community, as well as LCRF.”
“We are excited to have Dr. Wozniak as the scientific partner to LCRF’s SAB,” commented Dr. Katerina Politi, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology and Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine and chair of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with her on the LCRF SAB for many years. Her vast knowledge of lung cancer as an oncologist and researcher will serve the organization in a multitude of ways.”
Dr. Wozniak was most recently Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh, Leader of the Lung Cancer Disease Center, and the Associate Director for Clinical Research at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She had previously been a Professor of Oncology and Leader of the Lung Cancer Team and Co-Director of Solid Tumor Oncology at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, in Detroit, Michigan.
Dr. Wozniak has more than 30 years’ experience in conducting clinical trials, including national trials from the Southwest Oncology Group, NCI-sponsored studies, and pharmaceutical trials. Her clinical research focus has been in lung cancer, mesothelioma, and thymus gland cancer, and has authored more than 200 publications and abstracts.
In addition to her clinical and research career, Dr. Wozniak has been active in the lung cancer community, serving as an advisor for many organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Southwest Oncology Group, the American Lung Association, and as a member of the LCRF Scientific Advisory Board.
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About the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF)
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation® (LCRF) is the leading nonprofit organization focused on funding innovative, high-reward research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. LCRF’s mission is to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 394 research grants, totaling nearly $39 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.
Survivors, caregivers, friends, family, medical staff, and other supporters gathered Saturday, October 22 to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research.
LCRF held its Free to Breathe Walks in New York City, Chicago, and the Jersey Shore, coming together to share stories and make memories. Around the nation, those unable to attend one of the three locations joined the Free to Breathe Anywhere Walk, doing their part in their own neighborhoods.
A month earlier, the Kansas City Free to Breathe Walk took place Sept. 24 in Olathe, KS.
Photos from the events:
If you have additional photos you would like to share, please email them to events@LCRF.org.
Anywhere walkers tuned in for opening and closing ceremonies online. See the recordings below.
Lung Cancer Research Foundation is partnering with KRAS Kickers to fund KRAS-specific research, and we urgently need the support of everyone who cares about unlocking the mysteries of this mutation. Together, we pledge to award at least one two-year grant towards improving outcomes for people with KRAS-mutant lung cancer.
KRAS mutations are found in about a quarter of all patients with lung cancer. It is the most common biomarker associated with lung and other cancers. Researchers have learned different sub-types of KRAS respond differently to treatment.
Donations directed to the LCRF / KRAS Kickers partnership will go directly to an investigator researching KRAS-positive lung cancer. LCRF has been a leader in funding KRAS research, awarding 13 grants totaling $1.3 million – leading to an additional $2 million in funding.
Chiara Ambrogio, PhD, is one of the KRAS investigators whose work has benefited from LCRF funding. “The prestigious grant I received has been instrumental for the trust in the quality of my research, which granted me the opportunity through additional awards to establish my own independent lab to research KRAS-positive lung cancer.”
With your support, we can make more work like hers possible.
Show your support
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s the perfect time to educate others about the impact KRAS research can have.
“Having KRAS brings us together as KRAS Kickers,” said Terri Conneran, founder of the organization. “This is one of the alliances that truly showcases our KRAS acronym: Knowledge, Research, Advocacy for Survivorship. We choose to work together for better treatments for patients with KRAS-mutated lung cancer.”
If you have questions or need assistance creating a fundraiser, contact Emma Nestler at LCRF: enestler@LCRF.org.
Improving Equity in Lung and Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Wednesday, November 2 | live from 11 AM – 12 PM Eastern
Produced by CancerCoachLive in Partnership with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, TOUCH, BlackDoctors.org, CancerCare and the Moffitt Cancer Center
Differences in the quality of healthcare experience in the United States is related to many things, including age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino people and the second-leading cause of death among Black people, with lung cancer disproportionately affecting these and other non-White races/ethnicities. However, the majority participants in clinical trials are White (75%), compared to only 11% Hispanic and 8% Black participants.
“Represent Yourself: Improving Equity in Lung and Breast Cancer Clinical Trials,” an hour-long live interactive educational event on improving access to lung cancer clinical trials, takes place on Wednesday, November 2 at 11 AM. An expert panel will discuss why it is important for persons of color to participate in clinical trials that provide access to novel and breakthrough treatments for lung cancer. Panelists will examine common myths and misconceptions about clinical trials.
Patients will learn how to discuss clinical trials with their treatment teams, discover resources to find trials related to lung cancer, and determine if a trial could be the right treatment option for them. A Clinical Trial Resource Hub links to support websites.
To register for this educational session, click here.
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About CancerCoachLive: CancerCoachLive is the leading provider of interactive digital medical education for clinicians, patients, and caregivers. To improve patient care CancerCoachLive creates video-first educational modules with premier partners, so learners can better understand conditions, available treatment options, and the latest research. The company’s proprietary platform allows participants to engage in real-time discussion with scientific, research, and patient care experts. MedLive media contact, Becky Goplin, Marketing Director, MedLive, bgoplin@platformq.com, (414) 840-3907.
Jorge J. Nieva, MD and Isabel Preeshagul, DO, MBS joined us for LCRF’s October 2022 #TogetherSeparately livestream, Clinical Trials: What Patients Need to Know.
Watch the recording below.
Introducing our 2022 Team LCRF runners who will be doing the TCS New York City Marathon on November 6! Read more below about this year’s amazing group of marathoners who are raising awareness and fundraising for lung cancer research.
Jake is a restaurant manager whose proudest running moment was completing the Zion Half Marathon.
“It’s important to be a part of Team LCRF to me because my father passed away from lung cancer, and this is my way of honoring him by being able to raise money to help the cause.”
Favorite running partner: “My favorite run partner is anyone who will talk mid run with me.”
Kimberly, a small business owner, completed her first (and only, so far!) marathon in 2009.
“I lost my mom to non-small cell lung cancer in January of 2020. She was an inspiration of genuine kindness and had the energy of the energizer bunny. I’m running in her honor and to support a great cause.”
What’s on her playlist: “Love listening to podcasts and Lizzo when running!”
Emma, a retail buyer, recently completed her first half marathon while training in the Colorado mountains.
“I am running for LCRF in honor of my aunt, Reina Honts. Reina is one of the lucky lung cancer survivors who received an early diagnosis. She has paid her good luck forward by becoming a vocal lung cancer advocate, serving as an Executive Board Member of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.”
“Through her, I have learned that lung cancer continues to be the #1 cancer killer for both men and women in the US. I want to help support better options and research for early detection, with the goal of increasing lung cancer survival!”
Favorite food while training: “I have been greatly enjoying my increased pasta intake. I have even tried making it at home! :)”
Sumner, a sports marketing consultant, is proud to have made running part of his everyday life.
“Team LCRF is important to me because it’s given me an avenue to share my grandfather’s story, raise money to fight lung cancer, and learn more about what the foundation is doing to rid the world of this disease. I’m running in memory of him, Paul Sumner, and know he’ll be cheering me on every step of the way.”
Rest day routine: “Major recovery hack – Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs! I use them twice a day. If you can get yourself a pair, your legs will thank you.”
John, an analytics manager, remembers how proud he was to cross the 14-mile threshold when training for his first marathon. “It seemed impossible – until I did it!”
“My dad was diagnosed with NSCLC with EGFR mutation in the summer of 2019. LCRF has been such an incredible resource for me and my family. I am proud to be a part of Team LCRF to help support the incredible work this organization does!”
Favorite food while training: “Long runs make it much easier to justify a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia!”
Michael, a mortgage banker, completed two marathons in 2021 – Chicago and NYC.
“I’m running for Brach Graber – my mother.”
Favorite food while training: “Cold Coke zero after a long run – weird, but it’s my jam.”
Jason, an attorney, is running the NYC Marathon for the first time. But he’s no stranger to long runs – this will be his 8th marathon.
“My father was larger than life until he was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. While I am thankful that he passed very quickly after his diagnosis, there is not a day in my life that I do not miss him. If I can do anything to prevent another family from going through what I have gone through, I am all in.”
Rest day routine: “What is a rest day???”
Maxx, a partner at Venture Capital, remembers his proudest running moment: “running a solo, impromptu marathon in the Hollywood Hills.”
“I am running on behalf of lung cancer research to support those in my family and all who have been affected by lung cancer.”
What’s on his playlist: “My running playlist is all about mixing it up: from Lane8, to Ridin’ Roads by Dustin Lynch, to hip hop… have to keep it fresh!”
Kaylee, a dental assistant, finished the Chicago Marathon last year and is excited to soon add the NYC Marathon to her accomplishments.
“I am running in honor of Billy Hart, a very close family friend who died of small cell lung cancer in 2020 at the ago of 49.”
Favorite running partner: “I have very special BRF (best running friends) tribe that I have been running with weekly for the last 5 years!”
Paige, who sells medical devices, counts her training 20-miler as her proudest running accomplishment – at least until she does the marathon!
“Team LCRF is important to me because this is the ground breaking research that is going to change lung cancer diagnoses forever. I am running in honor of my mom, Susan Krawczyk Levinsky, who passed away in January 2005.”
What’s on her playlist: “We Can Do Hard Things podcast for long slow training miles! “
Jazmine is a paralegal, and is proud to be captain of her Ragnar Relay team.
“Raising crucial funds for lung cancer research while training to run 26.2 in my favorite city is a challenge I’ve wanted to undertake since losing my godfather in 2015.”
What’s on her playlist: “I love 90s hair bands, so ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi and ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ by Def Leppard are some of my favorite songs to run to.”
Amy, a teacher who is current a stay-at-home mom, set a new PR when she completed her 3rd marathon in Philadelphia last November.
“This fall will be 22 years since my Dad lost his battle with lung cancer, so I am running in his memory. This is my 4th marathon, but it means the most supporting Team LCRF in his memory.”
What’s (not) on her playlist: “Most people are surprised when I tell them that I don’t listen to any music when I run, even on my long runs!”
Sandi, a registered nurse, is proud to reach the finish line at any marathon.
“I am running in honor of my two daughters in memory of their dad, who passed away on November 8, 2021.”
Favorite running partner: “I used to run with my dog, but she can’t run anymore, so now I just run by myself and listen to music!”
Molly, an account manager at Bloomberg, counts the half marathon she ran last spring as her proudest running accomplishment to date.
“I am running in honor of my mom. Four years ago, I got a call telling me she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. I have never felt more powerless or terrified in my life after hearing that. We were so lucky and had a great team of doctors that were able to remove the tumor with surgery and she has been cancer free for four years! Every checkup, I still feel that unbelievable fear and helplessness, so this is my way of taking action. I am running to honor my mom, my biggest role model, greatest champion and the woman who made me who I am today.”
What’s on her playlist: “My running playlist is full of Harry Styles, as every good playlist should be.”
Tracy, a dispatcher, will be doing her 8th marathon this November.
“I am running in honor of my mom, Susan Powers, who passed away from lung cancer in 2015. I want to educate more people on how susceptible they are to this disease even if they do not smoke.”
What’s on her playlist: “‘Sandstorm’ is my go-time song when I need a pick-me-up. Michael Jackson also a favorite to get me running a little faster. “
Jenn, who serves as Dean of DePaul University College of Law, ran a half marathon only four months after having a lobectomy.
“Being on Team LCRF is important to me to help support much-needed research to ensure more survivors (like me!), more treatment alternatives, and better quality of life. As a recent survivor of lung cancer, I want those diagnosed to see other survivors who are able to continue to run and remain active — which I did not see when I was diagnosed.”
What’s on her playlist: “My running playlist includes pop divas – Madonna, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Brittney.”
LCRF is proud of this fantastic team!
Cheer them on as they prepare for the TCS NYC Marathon!
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s inaugural Evening of Innovation gala celebrated scientific discovery, honored the work of lung cancer luminaries, and raised funds for research that will save lives. The event, which raised $655,000 for lung cancer research, included a live auction facilitated by Joey Quigley from Christie’s.
New York Times best-selling author Annabelle Gurwitch, a lung cancer advocate and patient, was the evening’s emcee. Read more about Annabelle here. Guest speaker Isabella de la Houssaye shared her experiences as a patient with Stage IV lung cancer.
This year’s gala honored Dr. Brendon M. Stiles, who has served as a member on the LCRF Board of Directors since 2015. Notably, he served as Board Chair from 2017-21 and is currently serving as Vice Chair. Dr. Stiles is chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery & Surgical Oncology for Montefiore-Einstein Medical Center in New York City. Raymond J. McGuire introduced Dr. Stiles during the event.
Dr. Mark G. Kris presented LCRF’s Founders Award to Dr. David Hidalgo, Clinical Professor of Surgery at Weill-Cornell Medical College/New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Read the press release here. The gala journal is available online at LCRF.org/galajournal.
View more photos at LCRF.org/galaphotos.
The good news. Scientists have discovered one way that air pollution can cause cancer, even in people who have never smoked.
How does air pollution cause lung cancer? The researchers found out that “normal” lung cells in some people who have never smoked have a rare mutation (EGFR mutation); however, most of these people do not get lung cancer. The scientists also found that the chances of these cells becoming cancerous are higher in areas with a lot of air pollution. Finally, using mice, they discovered that the particles in air pollution (called PM2.5) can irritate these cells, causing them to grow and grow until a lung cancer is formed.
Why it’s significant. Smoking is responsible for about 70% of lung cancers, leaving about 30% occurring in people who have never smoked. In fact, if lung cancer unrelated to smoking was classified as its own disease, it would be the 8th leading cause of cancer deaths. While it had widely been accepted that air pollution causes lung cancer, scientists never knew for certain how it did so. Now that we know, scientists may be able to identify ways to prevent PM2.5 from irritating lung cells which already have a EGFR mutation.
These findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress this month by Professor Charles Swanton. Cancer Research UK-funded scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University College London (UCL) have revealed how air pollution can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked. LCRF grantee, Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, MD, PhD, was a member of this team and her work an integral part of these findings.
