My brother and I lost our mother to stage 4 lung cancer 5 years ago. She also had COPD and dementia. She was a fighter and a hellraiser her whole life and fought until her very last breath. When the doctors removed the tubes because she was incubated, they said she would pass within a few minutes. Not our mom. It took an hour. After a few minutes, she stopped breathing, and we all started to cry, then she gasped, and came back. She did this on and off for an hour. So, we cried and laughed at it for an hour. We even started yelling at her to go to the damn light and to stop being stubborn like she's always been. If we'd caught the lung cancer sooner, she would have beat it with her strength and stubbornness.

We have been going to the zoo in her memory the past 4 years because that was her favorite place. This event is at the zoo 3 days before her birthday and about 2 weeks after the 5th anniversary of her death and it's for the American Lung Association. How much more perfect could I be?!

I'm here to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by lung cancer and lung disease. Being a part of LUNG FORCE is about supporting those in need and saving lives by funding innovative research and early detection initiatives. I would greatly appreciate your support.

Your donation today turns small steps into bold strides toward a world free of lung cancer and lung disease.

Thank you.