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This fact has always hit me hard: lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and men. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. It's time to change this statistic.
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I spend my time as a PA caring for patients with lung cancer. I am repeatedly overwhelmed with inspiration as I watch patients and their families persist through their battle and for some, am fortunate to witness their years extended. While those days allow me to leave clinic with more hope, there are also the days of defeat, loss and sadness. The days when patients are out of options, and I watch families experience true heartbreak. Because of the latter, research and lung health awareness are more important than ever.
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Each year since participating I have run in honor of someone who has lost their battle with lung cancer:
Year 7 is in honor of an amazing young woman I got to know and treat over the last few months who lost her battle with lung cancer in May. A never-smoker, mother of two young children she was a ray of sunshine radiating wherever she went. Her optimism, grace and strength were unmatched.
Year 6 was in honor of the patients I saw daily in my new career as an oncology PA. Their bravery continues to amaze me each and every day and I am overwhelmed by their strength.
Year 5 was in honor of those lost to COVID-19 and the healthcare heroes who had been on the front lines--scientists and other researchers working to fight the pandemic. This virtual "walk" was always one I will remember.
Year 4 was in honor of Coach. He saved me my first year of teaching when I was frequently knocked down, he gave advice unlike anyone else and knew exactly what to say even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear. I witnessed him change so many young boys and inspire them to become respectable young men and he motivated and inspired me more than he knows. I owe a lot of where I've landed and what I've become in my time since living in Charleston to him.
Year 3 I ran in honor of a dear friend's father, Big Kev, who I was fortunate enough to meet during his courageous battle with lung cancer. He was truly one of the most impressionable people I have ever met and I am comforted knowing he and his many attributes live on through his amazing children and network of friends. He used his diagnosis to create the Exon 20 Group which is a global coalition of patients, care partners, family members, thoracic/medical oncologists, scientists, molecular profiling labs, and pharmaceutical companies and biotechs who are on a mission of converting exon 20 insertion mutations into chronic diseases and then curing them.
Year 2: The one who started it all, my first year as a team captain I ran in honor of Bobby (also known endearingly as LR 0065), who showed optimism and humor throughout his own battle and inspired me to incorporate joy into all aspects of my life. He lit up a room, wrote weekly emails that left me laughing and handled his battle with grace and wit. He always made sure to remind us: love you, mean it.
Year 1: I was lucky enough to be a part of Elaine Carew's incredibly team "Lung(ing) For The Win" which was created in honor of her father. I am forever grateful to Elaine for introducing me to ALA and the amazing community I have met through Lung Force.
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By joining or making a donation to our team, you will be contributing to the ongoing efforts of improving and saving precious lives.
Together, we are a force to be reckoned with.