Its been such a strange year with Covid-19 impacting all of us.  Knowing how covid-19 impacts our lung health and how the American Lung Association has pledge $20 million dollars to support the cure, it's more important than every to support the cause. 

Its coming up on eight years now (March 27, 2013) since I lost my wife and Nelson lost his loving mother, Patricia Leonard.  Patti as I called her had a persistent cough and we noticed that she was getting tired quicker than normal.  She went to the doctor who attributed it to allergies.  I told her there has to be something more seriously wrong, so she demanded an x-ray from her doctor.  That x-ray showed a small anomoly that would require a follow-up with a pulmonologist.  This was in December 2012 and we had a trip planned to visit family back in Chicago.  The doctor knew this and said we shouldn't worry about it and go on vacation, then schedule a bronchosopy when we returned.  We had a nice trip but worried about the possible outcome when we returned.  Patti's aunt was being treated for stage 4 lung cancer, so we didn't tell anyone that Patti may have it as well.   

A couple of days after we returned she went through with the procedure.  When she came out the doctor said, I don't have to have to results finalized to tell you that she has cancer and that was probably her last Christmas.   I had proactively made appointments with an oncologist, so we could be start treatment as soon as possible if something was found.  She started radiation and chemo.  Patti was so brave through the entire process.  She was truly my best friend and awesome caring mother.  On the early morning of March 27, 2013, she started coughing violently.  The last thing she said to me was: I can't breath, I was on the phone with 911 at the time.  She passed before the paramedics could arrive.  They tried to save her, but it was too late.

For the first couple of years we celebrated her passing with a party to honor her with all of her friends.  She was always a volunteer and a giver, who never wanted attention for all of the great work she did.  We honor her now by giving back and walking with the American Lung Association.  

Please join us in this effort.  

We are a force to be reckoned with. Only A Force of Many Can Stand Up To:

• the frightening rise of lung cancer in women (Unfortunately, we know this all too well)
• the deadly disease that is COPD
• the daily challenges that asthma sufferers face
• pollution that threatens our lungs and our lives

With your participation and help, our LUNG FORCE Walk will make a difference in lives that desperately need it. Register today, because now is the time to raise our voices against lung cancer—and for lung health.