I am pleased to share with you that February 22nd marks my seven year cancerversary of my EGFR Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis and I am feeling strong! In the last seven years, I have been able to watch my two children get married and have children of their own. Kent and I are grandparents to Brayden Smith and Reina Quintero. These two grandchildren are keeping us young!   We are expecting two more grandchildren in early 2025!!!!  I am very thankful for the lung cancer research that has benefitted me. I am still taking the same medication for seven years now, saving alternative options for the day that Tagrisso might not work anymore. My future literally depends on funding lung cancer research and Kent and I make that a priority!

In the seven years of participating in the Lung Force Walk, "Team Deb" has raised over $65,000 for lung cancer research. We are really proud of this accomplishment! Kent and I continue to serve on the Lung Force Cabinet of Central Florida with Kent serving as co-chair. Kent and I were both recognized as the "Southeast Region Volunteer of the Year" in 2022. Kent and I continue to speak at City Council meetings throughout Central Florida to receive proclamations for lung cancer awareness.

This year the Lung Cancer Walk is on Saturday, May 3rd at Baldwin Park in Orlando. You can also walk virtually if you can't make it to Baldwin Park. Please consider joining "Team Deb" and walking with us for the 2025 Lung Force Walk. If you are unable to walk with us, please consider making a donation to the American Lung Association. You can do both through the first link below. You can follow my journey at Team Deb Caringbridge.

I will always be grateful for my unbelievable support team. My motto through out this journey is that "you don't know how strong you are until strong is all that you have," Until a cure is found for lung cancer, I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.

Thank you for continuing to believe in me after seven years!

Deb and Kent Smith