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Organizations team up to increase lung cancer screening through a student-led, community-based initiative

NEW YORK, NY (February 20, 2024) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI) are partnering to improve early detection of lung cancer through a campaign and associated research study titled “ALCSI-LCRF Plus One Campaign,” sponsored by AstraZeneca.

Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the United States, and in 2024, an estimated 125,070 Americans will die from lung cancer. Early detection of lung cancer through low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is the most promising way to improve the survival of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. However, fewer than 5% of Americans eligible for screening are currently getting screened. A major barrier to improving the uptake of lung cancer screening in the United States is the low public awareness of lung cancer screening and the difficulty of reaching those individuals who currently qualify for lung cancer screening. Large-scale awareness campaigns that can effectively reach individuals who qualify for lung cancer screening and encourage them to get screened are urgently needed.

With the “Plus One” campaign, ALCSI will leverage its more than 50 chapters at universities across the United States to engage students in a grassroots effort to increase lung cancer screening awareness. The crux of the “Plus One” campaign is that the messaging will shift from directly asking people “Are you eligible for lung cancer screening?” to asking, instead, “Do you have a friend or loved one who is eligible for lung cancer screening?” (the “Plus One Message”). Through word-of-mouth and direct one-on-one conversations about lung cancer screening, the “Plus One” Campaign will apply a highly novel strategy to increase awareness of and use of lung cancer screening in the United States. The “Plus One” campaign will be implemented at up to 50 geographically diverse sites across the United States within the next three years.

As part of the execution of the “Plus One” campaign, ALCSI will develop the Lung Cancer Screening Referral Network (Referral Network), tracking the total number of people reached by the “Plus One” campaign, both to measure the effectiveness of the campaign and to further engage people in ALCSI’s activities. Additionally, at select sites, ALCSI will assess the number of people who undergo lung cancer screening before versus after the implementation of the Plus One Campaign to measure the impact of the campaign on increasing screening rates.

Leveraging its relationships with lung cancer community groups, research institutions and industry partners, along with its wide array of educational resources, LCRF will partner with ALCSI on funding support, project administration and reporting, program and education support, and campaign promotion and marketing.

“We are thrilled to be working with ALCSI on this very promising project,” says Aubrey Rhodes, Executive Director of LCRF. “Improving screening rates for lung cancer could save thousands of lives. Engaging students, who are passionate about improving screening rates by educating their communities on screening criteria, will certainly make a difference. We look forward to the potential impact this study will have on patient outcomes.”

“We believe that students have a unique opportunity to engage family members, friends, and colleagues in conversations about screening and early lung cancer detection. These conversations are a simple yet powerful strategy to motivate more high-risk individuals to get screened,” says Alexandra Potter, President of ALCSI. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with LCRF on the “Plus One” campaign and look forward to working together to increase awareness of lung cancer screening, improve screening rates, and ultimately, save lives.”

To learn more about the “Plus One” campaign, visit ALCSI.org/plus-one-campaign.

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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 416 research grants, totaling nearly $43 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.

About the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI)
The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit working to increase awareness of lung cancer screening and help individuals at high risk for lung cancer get screened. The work of the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative focuses on teaching communities and healthcare providers about the importance of the early detection of lung cancer through screening and working with leaders at the local, state, and national levels to increase awareness of and access to lung cancer screening. To learn more about the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative and support the work they are doing, visit www.alcsi.org or follow them on Twitter @AmLungCSI, Facebook @americanlungcancerscreeninginitiative, or Instagram @amlungcsi. If you’re interested in working with the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative to increase awareness of lung cancer and lung cancer screening in your community, email info@alcsi.org.

Contact:

LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Sheila Sullivan
Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@lcrf.org

AMERICAN LUNG CANCER SCREENING INITIATIVE
Alexandra Potter
President
info@alcsi.org

Posted in Announcements, Partnerships, ResearchTagged , ,

The good news
Different aspects of lung cancer risk are still poorly understood.  This is particularly true of the hereditary risk of developing lung cancer.  The presence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation T790 in germline cells (cells that can pass on genetic information) can be associated with a hereditary form of lung cancer.

Why it’s important
The INHERIT trial studied individuals and their relatives with and without lung cancer evaluating for the EGFR T790 mutation in germline cells (Journal of Clinical Oncology, Volume 41, pages 5274-5284, 2023).  They found that 55% of the participants who had this germline mutation were affected by lung cancer usually by age 60.  Most of the lung cancers were EGFR mutation positive in somatic (non-inherited) cancer cells.  These patients responded well to Osimertinib.  The risk of developing lung cancer if a germline mutation was present was variable, which means that having the T790 mutation did not necessarily result in the development of lung cancer.  It was also found that patients who did not have lung cancer frequently had lung nodules.  These abnormalities would have to be followed for potential development of lung cancer.

What it means for patients
This is one of the first studies describing a pattern of inheritance in lung cancer.  This may have future implications for individuals who carry this genetic abnormality regarding screening for early detection of lung cancer.  This will be especially important for patients who are never smokers.

What to watch for
This is just the beginning with respect to understanding the hereditary risk for developing lung cancer.  In the future look for similar studies that will help researchers define individuals at risk for lung cancer.

Read more about the INHERIT study

Posted in Research, Science Made SimpleTagged , ,

Dann Wonser passed away on June 30, 2024, 18 years after his diagnosis with lung cancer.

January 2024

When Dann Wonser was 49 years old – in 2006 – he had an X-ray to determine if he had broken ribs. That’s how he found out he had stage 4 lung cancer. Biomarker testing showed the EGFR and T790M mutations. During the past 18 years, Dann has had:

  • An upper left lobectomy
  • Chemo three separate times
  • Radiation three separate times (hips once, spine twice)
  • Three targeted therapies
  • Immunotherapy
  • One angiogenesis inhibitor
  • Three clinical trials
Dann with his wife, Gen

Dann credits his wife, Genevieve, and the support of his family and friends with keeping him steady during his treatment – and “beyond that, looking for the realistic positives in any situation, and having realistic expectations,” he said. “No treatment will last forever. So far, there have always been more options, whether clinical trials or standard treatments. I just need to stay healthy enough to get to the next treatment if this one stops working.”

“When I’m going through a hard time, even a simple one-line email or text can provide a big lift. One friend makes me soup or bread, even when I’m doing well and don’t have any special needs. Another friend sent me daily text messages of support for over a year, and then sent cards to me every couple of weeks for about that long, again not always when I was in great need. Just knowing that people are there for me and that they care makes all of the difficult times much easier to cope with.”

Dann’s history with lung cancer has given him valuable insight, and his blog (DannWonser.com) is an avenue for sharing his experiences and advice for others on this journey. He also has written a book, Second Wind: Thriving With Cancer.

Here’s what he would tell those who are newly diagnosed:

Have hope. Cancer treatment is exploding right now. It’s just incredible how fast things are changing – for the better.

Finding out is the hardest part. The first days, weeks, or even months are overwhelming for everyone. You will get past this – we all do. Just remember that what you are going through right now is harder than everything else you will go through. Everything else combined. The reason? You don’t have any tools to deal with it yet. That will change.

Let people in. My life is much richer and more full of love now than it ever was. That only came from sharing my trials and vulnerabilities. I have no doubt that I am alive today because of the love of, and for, family and friends. Rarely people vanished because they couldn’t cope with my cancer, and I can understand this. Much more often, people surprised me with their outpouring of caring and love. Take the risk. Still, it’s easier if you…

Plan how you are going to share your diagnosis with others. I found that by emailing people I cared about before talking with them about it, it saved me from endlessly re-living those first moments after being diagnosed, after the cancer had grown, or spread, or didn’t shrink when I had high hopes. This gave friends and family time to compose themselves before they talked with me, and because of that, the conversations went much better. This way I could also set the tone that I hoped that they would reflect back to me. It works.

Throw the statistics out the window. If you’ve been diagnosed for longer than 12 hours, you have probably already done an internet search and tried to calculate your survival odds and/or your new life expectancy. Finding statistics that match your specific situation is nearly impossible. For example, the average age of diagnosis for lung cancer is 71. I was 49. Do you think treatment outcomes will be the same? General health, the genetic profile of your cancer, environmental factors, location/size/number of tumors etc. – there are too many variables to make the stats make any sense for an individual. Beyond that, your attitude and actions make a difference.

More importantly, whatever statistics you find are probably hopelessly out of date. New treatments are coming online too fast for the statistics to keep up.

A diagnosis is not a prognosis. I attended a conference last year with 150 lung cancer survivors. Most of us attending have, or had, Stage IV lung cancer, and a dozen have been alive for at least five years. If that’s not enough, I am your living example. I was first diagnosed in 2006. One woman I know has had five different cancers, and is still alive 25 years later. The same diagnosis yields different results for different people.

Do your homework. Your survival chances are directly related to the quality of the treatment providers you work with. Is your oncologist a specialist in your specific type of cancer? As a general rule, the more people that your doctor and your treatment center have treated that have the same type of cancer as yours, the higher their success rate. Experience makes a difference. Who are the recognized experts in your type of cancer that are within a radius that you are willing to travel?

Get molecular testing. The most promising breakthroughs in cancer treatment are at the molecular level. This includes both targeted genetic treatments and immunotherapy. If your oncologist doesn’t think you need it, consider the possibility that your oncologist is out of step with the latest research. You may want a second opinion.

Re-think clinical trials. “Clinical trials” used to be considered the last gasp desperation approach to treatment. The reality is that, for lung cancer and many other types of cancer, this is where you will find the most promising, cutting-edge medicine, with the best results, and with the least side effects.

Exercise, sleep, and diet all make a difference. They impact your mood and your ability to cope. More importantly, you will recover from medication, radiation, and surgery better and faster if you are in the best shape you can be. Take care of yourself. Exercise, sleep, and diet. In that order. One man’s opinion.

Attitude matters. Treasure the moment. Live in gratitude for what you have right now. Choose hope. These things not only improve your quality of life, they also improve your chances of living a longer life.

Love yourself. Treat yourself like you matter. Because you do. This may be your last chance to act like it.

Choose your own path. I’ve laid out the way I see it. You may see it differently. Find your own vision of the future, and own it.

> Learn more about biomarker testing for lung cancer.
> Find out more about clinical trials and use our search tool to see what trials might be available for you.

Posted in RememberingTagged , , ,

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, produced when uranium breaks down. This gas is released through rocks, soil, and water, and can build up in enclosed spaces through cracks in a building’s foundation or other openings. Because it’s invisible and odorless, radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms.

However, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in more than 21,000 deaths every year in the U.S. It is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

The highest concentrations of radon develop in spaces below ground level without much ventilation: basements, crawlspaces, foundations, sump pumps, and construction joints. While pockets of radon can be found across the country, some states have higher levels than others. Check your state’s radon levels here.

Check your state

If you live in an older home, or in a state with higher radon levels, be sure to test your home for the presence of radon. Safewise.com recommends these six detectors.

Learn more

How much radon is too much? Radon detectors measure levels in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) to indicate average, year-round radon levels. If your home measures between 2-4 pCi/L, consider taking steps to reduce radon levels. Higher than 4? Confirm the results, then take immediate action. The EPA offers more information here.

Download the EPA guide
Posted in AwarenessTagged

The good news
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved repotrectinib (AugtyroTM) for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS-1 fusion non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in November of 2023. The approval was based on findings from the TRIDENT-1 trial, published on January 11, 2024 in The New England Journal of Medicine. The first author of the paper is former LCRF grantee, Alexander Drilon, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC.)

Why it’s important
Repotrectinib was evaluated in the TRIDENT-1 trial.  79% of patients who had not received prior treatment for their cancer responded to the drug.  The control of the cancer lasted close to 3 years.  Repotrectinib was especially effective in patients whose cancer spread to the brain.

What it means for patients
Patients with ROS-1 positive lung cancer have a new, effective treatment option.  Since ROS-1 fusions are rare, it is very important that patients with newly diagnosed advanced NSCLC have molecular testing done on their cancer to provide appropriate treatment.  If a patient has the ROS-1 fusion, they should discuss treatment options along with the associated risks and benefits with their Oncologists.

What to watch for
Repotrectinib is a new treatment option but unfortunately it is not a cure for these NSCLC patients.  In the future we will see more studies evaluating why cancers develop resistance and how we can overcome it.   There will also be further drug development to improve on currently available treatments.

Read more about the FDA approval

Read more from MSKCC

Posted in FDA News, Research, Science Made SimpleTagged

Lung cancer research grant mechanisms open for submission

NEW YORK, NY (January 11, 2024) – Today, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) announced that its 2024 funding mechanisms are now open for submission.  

LCRF’s four core funding mechanisms are aimed at furthering its commitment to funding investigators who are dedicated to finding solutions to the most pressing issues in lung cancer, including: early detection, gaining new insights into lung cancer biology, understanding mechanisms of and finding new approaches to overcome and/or prevent drug resistance, and uncovering novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of lung cancer. The organization also aims to address inequities in the careers of investigators from underrepresented groups in cancer research.

“It is always exciting to announce LCRF’s Requests for Proposals,” said Katerina Politi, PhD, Chair of LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board, Cancer Biologist and Professor at Yale’s School of Medicine. “Each year, LCRF funds innovative new ideas to understand treatment resistance, tackle disparities, increase the diversity of the lung cancer research workforce and support science that seeks solutions to lung cancer’s many complexities.  The LCRF Scientific Advisory Board looks forward to reviewing the many novel applications we will receive through this process.”

“The responses LCRF receives each year from these talented investigators is remarkable,” said Colleen Conner Ziegler, lung cancer survivor and LCRF board chair. “Each new grant cycle brings more hope for innovative solutions that will impact patients in a meaningful way. The only thing more exciting than this is awarding the grants!”

The LCRF Leading Edge Research Grant, previously known as the LCRF Pilot Grant, seeks to fund innovative projects across the full spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, health services, early detection, disparities, and social determinants of health research. This funding mechanism seeks novel ideas, approaches, methods, and techniques that promise to have a profound impact on lung cancer patients and their treatment teams.

LCRF’s Research Grant on Early Detection and Pre-Neoplasia in Lung Cancer is focused on identifying, characterizing, and developing approaches that will detect lung cancer at the earliest stages. Given the significance and need for early detection of lung cancer and advancements in screening, this funding mechanism aims to support research projects that facilitate or advance the understanding and characterization of pre-neoplasia or approaches for early detection, in non-small cell and small cell lung cancer.

The LCRF Research Grant on Understanding Resistance in Lung Cancer will focus on understanding resistance and support research projects with an emphasis on characterizing, identifying, treating, overcoming, or preventing resistance to therapies in lung tumor cells, tissues, mouse models, or patients. This mechanism will address important mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics across the care continuum and have the potential to increase survivorship.

LCRF’s Minority Career Development Award (CDA) for Lung Cancer is a two-year career development award intended to support early-stage scientists from underrepresented groups working in lung cancer in diverse areas of research including basic, clinical, translational, disparities, and social determinants of health research. The objective of this award is to increase the number of highly skilled and trained researchers from groups that are historically underrepresented in academia, medicine, and leadership in lung cancer research. This program aims to increase representation of investigators from these groups in lung cancer research.

Each of these funding mechanisms will award $150,000 over two years for selected projects, and all mechanisms will be reviewed through a two-step process: Letters of Intent will be accepted until midnight on March 4, 2024; if selected, investigators will then be chosen to submit full proposals following a rigorous scientific review. More details about each of the Requests for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/funding.

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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 416 research grants, totaling nearly $43 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.

Contact:
LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@lcrf.org

Posted in Announcements, GrantsTagged , ,

Groups request proposals for Team Science Research Grant on Advancing Therapies Towards Curing Oncogenic-Driven Lung Cancer

New York, NY (January 11, 2024) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation announced today that, in partnership with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, submissions are being accepted for the $2.5 million, four-year award, titled IASLC-LCRF Team Science Research Grant on Advancing Therapies Towards Curing Oncogenic-Driven Lung Cancers.

Proposals focused on the specific goal of curing oncogene-driven lung cancer should be submitted by teams of researchers with a program of closely integrated projects that would not otherwise be realized by a single component from the team.

Work supported through this mechanism will address important mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics across the care continuum and have the immediate potential to increase survivorship. Given the specific interest in the development of novel therapies that could benefit this group of patients in the relatively near-term, a clinical trial must either be initially incorporated into the project or be an immediate result of the outcome of the research. It is expected that a program of correlative, translational research will be proposed that will enhance the understanding of these oncogenic-driven lung cancers.

“We are thrilled to begin this process as a partner with LCRF,” says Dr. Karen Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of IASLC. “Soliciting research proposals that seek to cure oncogenic-driven lung cancer is a step in the right direction to improve survivorship.”

“Getting the best minds to team up to address the complexities that lead to resistance in oncogenic-driven lung cancer will be exciting,” says Dr. Antoinette Wozniak, LCRF’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We hope that by providing this award, there will be breakthroughs that will impact patients in the near future.”

Submissions to the Request for Proposals will be reviewed through a two-step process: Letters of Intent will be accepted until midnight on March 4, 2024; if selected, projects will then be chosen to submit full proposals. All applications will be subject to a rigorous review by IASLC’s Scientific Affairs Committee and LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board. More details about the Request for Proposal, along with eligibility, requirements, and deadlines can be found at LCRF.org/FundingOpportunities.

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About 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 416 research grants, totaling nearly $43 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information about the LCRF grant program and funding opportunities, visit LCRF.org/research.

About the IASLC:
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is the only global organization dedicated solely to the study of lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies. Founded in 1974, the association’s membership includes more than 10,000 lung cancer specialists across all disciplines in over 100 countries, forming a global network working together to conquer lung and thoracic cancers worldwide. The association also publishes the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the primary educational and informational publication for topics relevant to the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of all thoracic malignancies. Visit IASLC.org for more information.

Contact:

LUNG CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION (LCRF)
Sheila Sullivan
Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications
ssullivan@lcrf.org

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF LUNG CANCER (IASLC)
Chris Martin
IASLC Media Relations
cmartin@davidjamesgroup.com

Posted in GrantsTagged , ,

Jill Morningstar and Tejal Patel join foundation board

NEW YORK, NY (January 9, 2024) – The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is pleased to welcome Jill Morningstar and Tejal Patel to its Board of Directors.

Jill Morningstar lives outside of Washington, DC and has worked in the United States Congress for Chair George Miller on the House Education and Labor Committee, Senator Paul Wellstone, and Congressman Barney Frank. She has also worked at a range of advocacy organizations including the Children’s Defense Fund, the Earl Warren Institute at the University of California at Berkeley Law School, and the Israel Association for Ethiopian Jews. Most recently, Jill chaired the LungCAN Steering Committee advocating for increased federal funding for lung cancer research.

In 2018, Jill’s husband, Al Fitzpayne, was diagnosed with stage four, EGFR lung cancer.  He was 46 years old, had two children in middle school, and had no risk factors for the disease.  Al developed MET amplification in 2020, and in 2022, he was diagnosed with Leptomeningeal disease. Jill recently spearheaded a fundraising campaign, resulting in the support of five LCRF grantees whose projects focus on MET-driven lung cancer and understanding resistance in lung cancer.

“Because of incredible recent advances in lung cancer research, Al continues to thrive,” says Jill. “Lung cancer research means everything to us, and I am excited to be joining the board of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.”

Tejal Patel’s professional background includes an early career in clinical pharmacy.  She currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Sinai Chicago where she leads inpatient hospital operations. Tejal is highly skilled in bringing together teams to ensure patient satisfaction, caregiver engagement, efficient operations, and quality of care. She was an integral leader in overseeing the COVID-19 pandemic response for Sinai Chicago. Her efforts helped provide over 100,000 vaccines at the height of the pandemic to communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.   

Tejal has been awarded the 2021 Samuel A. Goldsmith Young Professionals Award for her outstanding work by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. She has also been awarded the 2021 Partner of the Year through Metropolitan Family Services.

While continuing to conquer her day job as a health care executive, she recently graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago and received her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. While completing her MHA studies, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and initially believed the diagnosis would derail her life and career. However, her diagnosis has helped shape her perception of quality care and she hopes to make more advances in the Chicagoland area to impact as many patient lives as possible. Over the last several months, she has been involved with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation and raised over $46,000 to support leading edge cancer research through her team, Breathe Easy Fight Hard.

In addition to her busy work and fundraising schedule, Tejal is a loving mom to twin boys, an endearing wife, and in her spare time, enjoys reading and traveling.

“I am thrilled to be joining LCRF in this capacity,” remarks Tejal. “It is another way for me to ‘breathe easy, fight hard’ and in the process, be able to bring hope to others with lung cancer, just as this community has done for me.”

To learn more about LCRF and its Board of Directors, visit www.LCRF.org.

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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 416 research grants, totaling nearly $43 million, the highest amount provided by a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. For more information, visit LCRF.org.

Posted in AnnouncementsTagged ,

By Tejal Patel
December 2023

You never want to believe it when someone tells you bad news, do you? It’s human nature.

When I received my lung cancer diagnosis, I was no different.


Tejal with her brother

However, I had to accept the news when my younger brother, a critical care and pulmonology physician, uttered the words, “You have stage 4 lung cancer.”

When you first receive a lung cancer diagnosis it can feel so isolating. All of a sudden, you’re in this new reality where nothing makes any sense. Thoughts were whirling around my head… “Why me, and what did I do?”

There’s still so much stigma around cancer, especially lung cancer, right? You get a lot of people who think you must have done something “wrong.” But the truth is, even though I’m a vegetarian, I don’t drink, I have never smoked, and I’m physically fit, I have lung cancer.

My life was derailed. My family and I had so many plans… I was finishing a Master’s degree, had just started a new job, and my husband and I were looking forward to a fun summer with our twin boys.

I knew I had to fight this so I could watch my boys grow up. That’s when I became determined to breathe easy and fight hard – it became the mantra for my fight and for my efforts to raise money for Lung Cancer Research Foundation at the Free to Breathe Walk this past October.

Tejal with her husband and twins

You see, I want my diagnosis to help break the stigma associated with lung cancer. And as a South Asian woman, I want to raise awareness of this disease for women like myself.

When you first receive a lung cancer diagnosis it can feel so isolating. All of a sudden, you’re in this new reality where nothing makes any sense. It’s a very vulnerable time, like you’re open and raw almost. Once you accept this new reality and decide to fight it can still feel really lonely.

I am so grateful that I found Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Not only are they funding life-changing lung cancer research – like new screening methods that help diagnose the disease much earlier – but they also offer so much support and care.

The kindness and generosity shown by LCRF donors makes such a difference. Without their financial support, the research that makes new discoveries and treatments possible would come to a halt. It touches my heart more than I can possibly say that so many people I have never met – and may never meet – are committed to extending survival and improving quality of life for people like me with lung cancer.

Tejal and her brother at the Free to Breathe Walk

So many advances have been made in lung cancer research in the past decade. But we need more support for this disease. We need more research. And research requires funding.

For treatment, for hope, and for futures.

Posted in Journeys, People, Women & Lung CancerTagged ,