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My sister, Jeanine, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in November of 2013. At the time of her diagnosis, she was only 42 years old. Naturally, our entire family was completely blindsided by this news - Jeanine was exceptionally healthy and always took very good care of herself. She stayed on top of her routine doctor's visits and made sure to take every precautionary measure recommended for women her age. Never in a million years would she or anyone else ever suspect Lung Cancer.
In early 2014, Jeanine was watching Dr. Oz. It was an episode featuring Valerie Harper and Lung Force. Jeanine immediately decided to reach out to Lung Force, and that is where our journey with this organization ultimately began.
Jeanine formed our Lung Force Team, Team Jeanine and she was a speaker at the very first NYC Lung Force walk on May 16, 2015.
Her dedication and support to this group and her relentless determination toward finding a cure, all being undertaken while battling lung cancer herself was something to be admired. She pioneered our involvement with Lung Force and to me it just speaks volumes about who my sister was as a person. A passionate, fearless leader who saw no obstacle as too big of a challenge. Sadly, after two years of fighting the toughest battle of her life, Jeanine passed away on December 1, 2015.
Team Jeanine has been walking since the first LUNG FORCE Walk in NYC in 2015. To date, we have raised almost $50,000 and have had over 110 walkers cumulatively. I have made it a point to carry on the legacy of my sister, and to help bring positive changes toward the advancement of finding a cure, bringing awareness to and breaking the stigma attached to lung cancer. I know how important this organization was to Jeanine, and how important it is to me as well. I hope one day to see a world free of lung cancer so that no one has to suffer the way my sister did, and no one has to lose their loved one to lung cancer.
When my sister was asked “Why do you walk?” Her answer was “Because I can”
We all can!!!!