Shared Stories

Sydney S, KY

My interest in the LUNG FORCE and lung health found me when my grandfather died from lung cancer when I was 10.

Lisa D, NV

I am a 47-year-old female living in Las Vegas. In Aug 2021, my primary doctor discovered a mass in my right lung via chest X-ray.

Queenie B, CA

I lost both of my parents and my brother to the same type of lung cancer.

Michelle C, WI

Ever since a weatherization program had completed energy efficiency updates to my home, strange things started to occur.

Ellen A, CO

I was shot in my torso and arm some 29 years ago. One of the bullets went through my lung.

Sally G,

I was diagnosed with lung cancer and had surgery in August 2013. Six months later, I climbed 38 flights to the top of Louisville's National City Tower in just over 16 minutes!

Alisa B,

My name is Alisa and I am a lung cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer at 43 years of age, in July of 2000, just a few months after my mom passed away of lung cancer. It still boggles my mind to this day that I was taking care of

Stephanie F,

The diagnosis of small cell lung was confirmed in December, 2015. “Please, not small cell. Anything, but that.” It was more than an immediate thought. I actually said it to my doctor. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most feared diagnoses.

Sandra P, TX

A company based in Ireland intends to establish a sizable production facility in our vicinity, drawn by the absence of regulatory constraints.

Sheila M, CO

I climb because I lost my beloved father, Carl, to lung cancer and my dear cousin, Ellen, to pulmonary fibrosis.

Darin W, CA

Hi, I’m Darin a 25-year USMC Veteran.

Teresa D, KY

Hello my name is Teresa I am a 54 year old Kentucky resident. I am a former cigarette smoker of 30 years. I have been a Registered nurse for 32 years. I quit smoking cigarettes September of 2022.

Joseph B, KY

On February 17th, 2024, I experienced the devastating loss of my mother to stage 4 cancer, believed to have originated in her lungs.

Mary N, NY

I started participating in Lung Force walks about 4 years ago. I lost my mother and sister to lung cancer.

David C, VA

Lung cancer was never on my radar. I’m young; still in my 30s. As a former Division One athlete, I’ve been active all my life and have remained active through sports and regular exercise.

Laonis Q, MI

My story is my son's Anthony J Chapman story! He was diagnosed with severe uncontrolled asthma at the age of 2.

Karen D, FL

I live in Florida and have COPD.  I'm a member of the ALA's COPD Patient Advisory Group and have been involved with the American Lung Association for nearly 25 years.

Angelique N, FL

My mother is 69 year old who currently suffers from a lung disease, Alpha 1 Antitripsen.

Kevin R, TX

I am 64 years old. I’ve been a machinist since I was 18 years old, I like playing a lot of games on my iPad and playing with my dog Milo.

Barb T, OH

I was born with Kartagener syndrome, the cilia does not work in my lungs, ears or sinuses.

Emily M,

Having never worked with a clientele of people who smoke, and having never smoked myself, I was apprehensive at first.

Daniel T, CA

Wildfires in Northern California over the past several years have triggered asthma which I hadn't had since I was a teenager. I deal with the impacts now daily.

Christine D, OH

Hello, My name is Chris and I have non-small cell lung caner. I am living proof that cancer is not a death sentence. I was a smoker until the day I found out that I had cancer. I quit when I left the doctor's office that day.

Frank M, KY

I joined the military 31 Mar,1960 and was sent to HVAC Tech school and that's when I was exposed to phosgene gas and welding/brazing fumes.

Connie J, TX

I was diagnosed with Hypersensitive pneumonitis January 2002. I had been working at Ground Zero NYC following 9/11.

Carole S, OK

I had to take my aunt off life support. 

Arthur M, NY

I am very grateful as I had lung surgery when I was 87 years old that was found after I was X-rayed following an elbow fracture.

James B, NM

My lung cancer story starts with me being born to a mother who smoked during pregnancy. I was exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke up to the age of 18.

Jennifer C, AK

My name is Jennifer Chikoyak. I have spent the last 18 years working to educate my fellow Alaskans about the health harms related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke because of my Grandma Shirley.

Leanne W, CO

Had my Dad, Leon Lee Wheeler, survived his NSCS lung cancer diagnosis, he would have turned 84 on March 1st.

Bonnie C, CA

I was a smoker for over four decades. My family doctor found out and got the ball rolling.

Melodee M, SD

My lung cancer journey began on December 8, 2018 with a cough.

Rona W, CA

My journey has been one of hope, gratitude, and self-advocacy.

Sam A, GA

My name is Sam Akers, and I reside in Augusta, Georgia, with my wife and daughter, who is in her first year at Georgia Southern University.

Portia B, OH

“Portia, I want to do this.” These were the exact words from my mother (Sharonne L. Lopez) as she handed me the flier from the counter.

Nancy S, MS

Hearing the word cancer is scary – hearing the diagnosis of lung cancer was terrifying.

Nelson C, WA

My Dad and I lost my mom to lung cancer.

Randette J, CA

By the grace of God, my mother Diane Baker, age 72 went to her doctor for a routine physical. The attending doctor was a physician's assistant who noticed my mother hadn't had a chest X-ray in years and felt they should go ahead an take one. 

Heidie N, MS

I was diagnostic with COPD in April of 2018,

Tracy G, OH

The picture of health, active, health conscious and all natural were all words used to describe Tracy.

Erica T, CT

I worked at a local hospital and contracted COVID-19 from a patient. I thought it would be a mild infection since I was a healthy active woman.

Laverne C, CT

MUCINOUS ADENOCARCINOMA; this was the lung cancer type that I had.

Bob B, KS

I was told I had smoldering multiple myeloma years ago. I have been tested every six months since, the progress stays the same.

Barbara W, AL

My husband just passed on July 1st 2022, 18 days before my 73rd birthday.

Jose A, CA

My name is Jose Armas, I'm a 64-year young Latino male to recently went through a bi-lateral lung transplant. I was diagnosed with IPF. At my worst, I was at a lung function of 42%. My last spirometry came in a 131%—WOW. 

Nancy L, ID

It began when my primary physician ordered a CT scan to determine why I was having pelvic pain.

Catherine S, SC

I am a never smoker who was diagnosed with Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of my left lung in May of 2020.

LK N, AK

I left Alaska after two years in part because of the poor air quality in Fairbanks where I lived.

Alexandra C, CA

No one fights alone, we all need clean air to breathe and live. 

Jay J, CA

We live in a zip code that received F ozone, F 24h and Fail scores on air quality. 

Linda M, IN

Open burning is allowed with flimsy restrictions and fire department will only cite individuals if the complainer can give them an address.

Jeanne W, UT

As a child, I was always susceptible to lung irritation caused by pollens, dust, mold, and second-hand smoking.

Louise

It makes me feel hopeful knowing that there are people out there working hard to find cures for other devastating lung diseases like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. The Lung Association helped find a cure for TB all those years ago. So, why not others?

Amy W, GA

I am a 71 year old female who was diagnosed with NSIP pulmonary fibrosis in March 2023.

Lisa G, AZ

8 years ago I was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect called Scimitar Syndrome.

Sarah

When I was raising money, walking, and climbing for the Lung Association, I didn’t fully grasp everything they do. Once we got this diagnosis, I realized just how important raising money for lung health and lung cancer research was.

Andrea

Seeing these fundraising dollars at work was incredibly impactful because this research and breakthrough treatments weren't around when my mother was struggling with lung cancer.

John B, NH

I don't have cancer, but I hope I never will. I have seen firsthand how painful and devastating cancer is not just for the person dying, but on family members, children, parents, siblings, friends and other relatives.

Craig L, FL

I found out I had lung cancer in September, 2006 after having a chest X-ray to rule out pneumonia when I couldn't shake an upper respiratory infection.

Elisabeth B, CT

I had always been a nervous person so naturally I took up smoking. My parents smoked and they were from the thirties so they did not yet know the harm.

Geneva C,

Diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer. Cancer Treatment Center of America in Phoenix Undergoing treatment Mom was Cancer free (in remission) Cancer reappeared in a small area on her rib. Currently undergoing treatment again. Team Rosenda at Lung Force

Brandon C, OH

I smoked for many years when I was younger and completely understand the difficulty associated with moving on from something as addictive as smoking.

Lisamarie S, NY

This is my mom, Milta. This picture was taken in April after a two month stay in the hospital. 

Stephanie T, CA

I'm advocating for better lung health and cleaner air because I have been diagnosed with asthma and COPD and I had a grandma who died from complications from COPD.

Angela Y, GA

My story is about how lung cancer affected my mother’s life.

Abigail M, PA

Richard G, CO

My sister, Clara, and I grew up in a small home in Philadelphia. She had terrible asthma, including many doctor visits and hospitalizations, including in the ICU.

Mark C, WV

I’m 58 years old and started smoking at age of 16. I would quit for a couple years a couple of times.

Meghan L, PA

I have been suffering with undiagnosed breathing problems probably all my life, but I did not start getting help until fall of 2020 at Penn Medicine following an employer annual physical.

Roy W, MO

My lung cancer story started nine years ago. I had been treated for an upper respiratory infection and most of it had cleared up except for a persistent cough.

Barbara T, AK

I was busy getting ready to retire and I did not see a cancer diagnosis as part of my future. But, there it was.

Gina-Marie W, TN

If it wasn’t for the commercial, "If You’re a Smoker Get Scanned," my mom wouldn’t be here today.

Denise C, MI

There was no reason to think the doctor was wrong when they told me I might survive 10-15 months with my newly diagnosed stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma.

Linda S, HI

I began smoking when I was in the military. I was never a heavy smoker and after I married at the age of 23, while pregnant, I gave up the bad habit and when my child turned two, I started up again.

Lisa F, NE

My hero has always been my dad. From an early age my dad gently pushed me to be confident, to try new things and finally to always persevere when things get tough.

Madeline H, NC

I vividly remember my brother-in-law letting me know he was waiting at my sorority house. I thought we were just going out to lunch. I had no clue my life was about to change forever.

Violet L, FL

My name is Violet Lowrey and I am the Director of Student Service at Keiser University Fort Lauderdale. I've signed up to be a part of the LUNG FORCE initiative to make a difference in the lives of people impacted by lung disease. 

Lisa G, MA

I’m glad I never gave up trying to quit. Change takes time and practice. Smoking cessation programs work. Not only is the smoker given tools to succeed but by engaging with others who are trying to achieve the same goal they build a support system.

G G, TX

Approximately six years ago our next door neighbors built an outdoor fireplace with a chimney only 12' high.

Youssef B,

Jessica D, PA

At the age of 37 I was blindsided with my lung cancer diagnosis. I had been battling what my doctors swore was bronchitis for almost two months, a debilitating cough which could not be eased with anything. After several visits to my family doctor a c

Khris A, AL

In the Fall of 2015, I was helping my teenage daughter, Jayne, recover from shoulder surgery when I discovered a tick bite that quickly developed into a nasty rash. I went to the doctor to get antibiotics, never imagining that visit would change my l

Christine M,

As a teacher of French, English and Interdisciplinary Studies for 40 years, I had always been very energetic and youthful in my teaching of high school students, taking them on field trips overseas and closer to home. We camped, we trekked, we saw th

Martin H, MT

Karin A, NY

I am here today because of early intervention. I was a smoker and my primary care doctor, Mary Jenkins, always ordered a chest x-ray as part of my annual physical. This time, June 2009, my chest x-ray results showed a spot on my right lung.

Lorie B, WA

July 2014, I was on my way to visit my son and his wife, when I got the call. It was my brother-in-law, "We have us some cancer?" "What? We? Who? What do you mean?" My mind was a jumble of questions, while in my heart I already knew what he was going

Jelene T, GA

Jennifer F, OH

Marla T, TX

Martin F, TX

Mary J, FL

Mary Beth H, KY

Sarah H, MA

Laura W,

When I was just 12 years old, I lost my beloved Grandpa (Gordon Bailey) to lung cancer. He was a life-long smoker.

Denise H, MO

July 2016 I got a low-dose CT scan as a long time smoker when I found out it was available through my health insurance at no charge.

Joye Lee M, MS

My name is Joye Lee McNelis. I am 55 years old, a Christian, wife, mother of two, and a YaYa to Emma Grace, my little granddaughter.

Hassina L, CA

When I was diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 Lung Cancer (EGFR mutation) in November 2016, the future looked bleak given the very depressing statistics of this disease. Never having ever smoked and having always enjoyed excellent health, the diagnosis

Cathy H, TN

I smoked for 40 years, I was treated for asthma for many years. I had gotten pneumonia and was hospitalized. A doctor I received there was a pulmonary doctor and as soon as he saw me and examined me he stated, “There is no asthma, you have copd/empha

Jon S, CO

Kim K,

My hero is my dad! The Fight for Air Climb in my town happens a day before his 76th birthday, and he suffers from COPD and emphysema.

angela B,

Brenda M, CA

Ann S, NE

Samantha J, OH

August 13th 2019 is a day that will forever be embedded into my memory.

Jody S, WA

Three and a half years ago, I lost my husband of 35 years to idiopathic familial pulmonary fibrosis. He was 56 years old.

Tom M, MN

I was diagnosed with IPF in 2019 and have been wearing oxygen for a little over a year now.

Randolph J. L, WI

We must not underestimate the need for clean air. As a physician, I see how the climate and air quality affects my patients with lung disease, every day.

Erika Maria M, OR

Climate change is (quite literally) sickening. As a lung and ICU doctor, my patients’ health is threatened by unhealthy air and climate change, and now COVID-19.

Glenn R. S, FL

Right now, the air we breathe is in crisis. Health care professionals have a responsibility to help diagnose and treat patients, and to help the community at large when there is a crisis.

Chloe V, MI

Today is the first day of November. So I decided that today I am going to talk about why November is and should be so important to everyone.

Tammy F, MD

In July of 2023 I experienced a piercing pain in my back around my shoulder blade.

Michael S, WA

Hi, my name is Michael. I have small cell carcinoma, also known as small cell lung cancer.

Five S, IN

My grandmother, Barbara (pictured,) had struggled with COPD since before I was born.

James V, NV

December 2021 I got sick with COVID.

Lane B, UT

I live in Utah's Salt Lake Valley and have always struggled in the summer and winter.

Debby G, MO

I had stage 1 lung cancer, my right upper lobe was removed.

Mike E, IL

Gary A, CA

One of my big disappointments is the EPA's reduction in the number of air quality monitors.  I live about 50 miles from Bakersfield in the Kern River Valley. 

Chanel V, PA

My oldest daughter Isis, 17, was the most pure hearted person you could ever meet. She was taken from us recently due to asthma.

Kaden C, CA

In the summer of 2021, in the midst of recovering from an entire year and a quarter of distance/ virtual learning through freshmen year of high school, I suffered a sudden, primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Erin G, TX

Over the course of 2017, my sister and best friend, Meghan, was diagnosed with three serious ailments in succession: an autoimmune disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and a rare and aggressive lung disease (bronchiolitis obliterans).

Eric W, FL

I was in my mid 40's, a practicing primary care physician for both children and adults, a husband, and father of two - the prime of my life.

Debbi B, MS

I had my entire right lung removed because of lung cancer and had 28 radiation treatments on my esophagus so it didn’t cross over to my left lung.

Dominic B, PA

So, like many others, I've experienced what is known as a spontaneous pneumothorax-collapsed lung.

Deris C, TX

I contracted COVID-19 in 2020 in July. I struggle with extreme fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, chills, headaches, nausea and vomiting, and fever as well as loss of taste and smell.

Dolorees D, GA

Hello, my name is Dee. I have permanent blood clots in both my lungs. There is only one cure for my disease and I am not a candidate for the surgery.

Dona B, DC

Sarcoidosis is genetic, my mother explained. The disease attack your kidneys, liver or lungs and can have skin cysts and rash. Like several first cousins, I was diagnosed in 2011.

Diane S, WI

My lung issues started 8 years ago.

Erin G, TX

In the spring of 2017, my sister Meghan began having health issues. Meghan was a former Division I athlete who never took a sick day in her professional career, so when she started to have health issues, we were all surprised. 

Amanda H, WV

I remember the day very well when we heard "We think it may be lung cancer." There was no way this could happen to my 53-year-old daddy. I felt hopeless, defeated, scared.

Barbara J, CA

Thank you for being available and transparent, and honest. Our air quality is experiencing something unusual. 

Jose J,

We are what we breathe. The Central Valley has been consistently ranked one of the regions with the worst air quality in the nation for over a decade. It's high time we clean up our act and the air we breathe.

Daya U, CA

Climate change imposes a serious threat to human health and our environment. We must act now and raise our voices to fight climate change and support strong clean air policies.

Saida M,

Hello my name is Saida Mahoney. I am 24 years old and I am a performing arts major in college. I love to sing, dance and do theatre.

Richard S, PA

I'm a retired Philadelphia firefighter who now has COPD from my work.

Saptarshi B, NY

I tested positive for COVID-19 on April 2021 and was admitted to hospital on May 7th due to shortness of breath.

Shanay P, NV

I'm a 40 year old woman who has never been sick and tries very hard to stay healthy. After getting COVID-19 I realized that mental and emotional health are just as important.

Crystal T, PA

I received cancer screening in 2021, after quitting smoking and being diagnosed with COPD.

Stephen H, TN

Stephen Huff is a high school teacher from Franklin, Tennessee, who has lived with stage IV lung cancer since a rare diagnosis at 29 years old.

Adriana F, AK

I was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma in my right lower lung lobe at age 35 after having my daughter.

Christina G, MA

My story began in December 2019. I went to visit my 2 month old granddaughter in Arizona and at the time she was sick. 

Phuong H, NC

I remember the warm summer day sitting on my patio when my sister commented “Your life is pretty posh”. I laughed and thought to myself, she is right!

Terita M, MI

My mother, Theresa Ezekiel - Haley, was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2018.

Barry B, SC

My father died from lung cancer in June of 2013. Prior to his diagnosis, he was a strong, healthy and active man.

Carson S, VA

It has been a year. A year ago I received the call. My mom, with a shaky voice, told me that though she had been admitted to the hospital for what had looked like pneumonia, it was not in fact pneumonia.

Mike S, SC

My stage 4 lung cancer story starts in 2016.  After experiencing breathing spasms and tightness in my chest along with pain, I knew that it wasn’t my asthma bothering me. 

Sara G, IA

In 2019 I was 39, and looking forward to my 40th birthday.  I wanted it to be a healthy milestone, so I joined a kickboxing bootcamp.  By the end, I felt amazing but thought I had pulled a muscle in my chest.

Debbie H, IL

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner, diagnosed with NSIP for only two months and this has devastated my life in a short time period.

Kimberely S, TN

I used be former smoker but higher power told me to stop.

Ginger B, KY

My dad, Don Kunz, was one of a kind. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend.

John A, IL

In April 2013, an on the job injury to my left shoulder resulted in multiple X-rays, one showed a spot on my left lung.

Kate W, KS

My Lung Force story begins in the summer of 2015. 

Brian B,

When Brian Bowman wakes up each morning and starts his day, the sky looks bluer, the flowers smell sweeter and his love for life and his family is so much more precious.

Mariann C, NY

I joined the LUNG FORCE Walk because I was diagnosed in October 2015 with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lida Z, TX

Stage IV Lung Cancer – a frightening diagnosis, and a shocking one, too, for a non-smoker.

Leah P, KY

On December 18, 2019 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer EGFR Exon 19 deletion with mets to my spine and pelvis.

Karen B, GA

My lung cancer journey started November 2007 during my annual physical.

Joseph M, FL

2021 will mark 15 years since my father, Vito Salvatore Mannino, succumbed to lung cancer.

Leann F, NJ

My personal lung cancer story is not just about me. It is about the impact lung cancer has had on my immediate family.

Jim P, MI

My wife was six and a half months pregnant on the day my lung cancer was diagnosed. We were not prepared for that diagnosis, and, given that it was made by a rheumatologist, it really came out of left field!

Valerie D, HI

A pivotal moment…can you reflect on one of the on the pivotal moments in your life and how those moments of clarity have given you new perspectives and opportunities for change?

Aaron H, TN

It was Halloween 2019, I had a biopsy a couple weeks ago and wasn’t worried about the results until my doctor called. . .

Alan T, WV

As a Dual Citizen of Canada, an engineer whose entire career has been focused upon eliminating air pollution and addressing the Anthropogenic Climate Change Crisis, I have lived with an asthma condition ever since moving to West Virginia.

Brenda B, KY

My mother died from pulmonary fibrosis in 2008. She was diagnosed and given five years but she lived eight.

Steph L, IA

I was 33 years old in the month of May, 2012. At the end of the month, I became ill with symptoms of a sinus infection, high fevers, and a cough.

Heidi B, IN

I was sitting in my accounting office in July 2012. My Mom called my office and asked me to come over right away but to not bring my son. I had a feeling that a serious situation was unfolding but had no idea what she would have to tell me.

Sura A, IL

This is the story of my father with COPD.

Anne S, AR

My husband Bill and I were together 35 years before stage IV lung cancer took his life in 2015. He was diagnosed in August and was gone a few days after his 74th birthday on Oct. 28.

Kevin D, CO

Hi my name is Kevin Douglas I have a Twitch channel called TheRaspyShow. I talk about my respiratory issues.

Martha A, RI

My name is Martha Ahmed. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in February 2018.

Peggy J, AZ

November is Lung Cancer @lungassociation Awareness month and also my one-year anniversary as a Lung Cancer Survivor.

Vicky B, IN

The air was tested in my home that I rent and it is nine times higher than normal.

David B, MA

My story is all too similar with many you will read. My mother passed away after battling lung cancer for the greater part of a decade.

Mandi P, OK

In December of 2019 I was diagnosed with bronchitis.

Sharon L, OK

I am a US Navy wife, the mother of two wonderful men, and the grandmother of an adorable grandson. I was a heavy smoker until I quit in 2011. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma in 2015.

Jennifer W, MO

My mother died Christmas Morning 2002 at the age of 65 from lung cancer.

Tiffany K, IL

Asthma has impacted my life greatly. I went from running around in corn fields in MS to working in a populated area like Chicago and that's when the problems started.

Amy S, CO

For 30 years as a teacher, I watched more and more of my students begin to require the use of inhalers until my retirement in 2011.

Jimmy S, CA

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have high-deductible health insurance plans may be more likely to avoid essential care due to costs compared to those who have low- or no-deductible plans.

Bruce K, WI

The biggest threat to children’s health is destabilization of Earth’s climate.

Daphne C, CA

Darles S, AR

Dave D, MT

David D, PA

David H, VA

Dawn B, PA

Dawn P, PA

Deb J, WI

Deb R, IA

Deb W, PA

Debbie G, PA

Deletta R, VA

Delia B, IL

Delores A, NC

Dian C, VA

Diane S, VA

Diane M, AZ

Diane W, NC

Dr. Ronald K, FL

Dr. Ronda B, WI

Duane B, VA

Dulsie C, CA

Dzentis A, OH

Eduardo R, CA

Elizabeth K, PA

Elizabeth L, AR

Elizabeth S, OH

EllaDean B, TN

Elodia R, MI

Emily L, IL

Eric Z, OH

Erica S, FL

Erin M, TN

Felicia O, IL

Florence S, ME

Fran C, TX

Frederic C, CA

Gabriela V, UT

gael T, MI

Gale W, CA

Georgia B, TX

Gerry O, IL

Gerry P, IL

Ginger W, OR

Glenna S, UT

Gloria H, PA

Grace C, NH

GRACIE K, LA

GUSTAVO R, FL

Harish K, IL

Harriet I, TX

Harry B, PA

Helen and Jeff S, OH

Howard H, FL

Ivy S, FL

Tina C, AL

I'm Tina Castello, thank you so much for allowing me to share my story.

Eileen C, VT

In December 2004, at the age of 58 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The tumor was found as the result of an ultrasound.

Stephen T, KY

My name is Steve Tong a native and long term resident of Louisville. Kentucky. In the latter part of 2014, my mother Betty suggested that I participate in a test she had recently seen in Today's Woman magazine that she consistently read. The test was

Paul W, KS

In May 2015, my life was normal as I enjoyed a successful career, family and social life. That was about to change. The third week of May I noticed my breathing was not quite what I thought it should be.

Margaret P, CA

I started smoking as a teen. That was fifty-seven years ago. I KNEW that I had COPD after many X-rays over the years. I did not have many symptoms other than shortness of breath, at times and had several bouts with pneumonia.

Sara G, IA

My mother, Raelene, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in April 2010. Before her diagnosis, experience shortness of breath and persistent bronchitis. She went through many rounds of antibiotics and they weren't working.

Dara G, AK

The summer of 1973, only a few weeks before I turned 13, my family moved to a small town in eastern Oregon. We lived a couple blocks from the park and swimming pool where my first weekend in town I saw Sam at a swim meet. If he were here today, he wo

LaKesha J, GA

My name is La’Kesha Johnson, and I am a survivor, fighter and mother. While having a chest CT Scan administered for a non-related issue, a nodule was detected on my right lung on Friday, September 12, 2014. After a follow-up CT scan confirmed the nod

Timothy A, CA

Fifteen years ago, my wife and I were blessed with our second child, also our first daughter, Ashley Nicole Adams. One day, her mother and I noticed that she was easily winded while playing and had difficulty breathing.

Martha H, IL

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been surrounded by tobacco use. Even now as I enjoy retirement, tobacco continues to affect my life.

Kimberley S, AZ

I will be walking with my family in support of my husband who was just diagnosed with small cell carcinoma in July. This type of lung cancer has no cure but it is treatable. He has spent many days away from home due to getting sick and having to be a

Marvin C, CA

Tina M, VT

I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in June of 2016. This has impacted my life considerably. I am confident that I will beat this, I have to for my boys.

Rae S, NJ

In the fall of 2013, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset was running a promotion advertising on the radio. On my way home one night I actually paid attention to the ad. "Come in and for $99, have a lung scan," the ad said.

Doris C, NC

My journey began in the fall of 2015. In September, while vacationing in Colorado, I completed a difficult rated hike. It was my first time at such a high altitude and I was nervous, but I didn’t have any problems completing the hike.

Debra F, AL

On December 24, 2002 my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was treated with chemo and radiation but died on June 7, 2003. That day changed my family's life forever.

Noreen P, NY

I am here today on a whim. I’ll never forget it, it was a simple question I ask my doctor, and a simple response that saved my life. I was smoke free for a little over a year after being a pack a day smoker for thirty plus years.

Beatriz S, FL

Hi, I'm Beatriz Sarmiento. I am 84 years old. I had emphysema for the past 12 years, and I am also a twice left lung cancer survivor.

Tina A, AL

My journey started December of 2016. I had a regular PCP visit for which I was being treated for chronic back pain (thoracic area). The medication I was taking was not working as well as it should so my doctor said, "Let's just do an x-ray and see if

Barb R, MA

My story begins with a persistent cough that was diagnosed as pneumonia with no x-ray done. The medication I was given did not work, back to the doctor (twice), more medication that still did not help.

Darlene B, PA

I was very tired so my medical doctor ordered a sleep study for me and then the suggested I go see a lung doctor. I had slight sleep apnea the doctor suggested If I would want to be tested for lung cancer screening because I was over 50 and been smok

Sam Z, AL

In November of 2017 my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It has truly hit home for me and it hurts me deeply that I cannot help. I want to raise awareness for such a terrible disease to help prevent this feeling for others!

Jeffrey T, VT

My story begins in the summer of 2009 when I had an appointment with my doctor for a severe cough after eating. My doctor told me I needed to change my diet and lose weight, which I did.

Lydia J, IN

I've learned several things since being diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2016. You must advocate for yourself, the disease is not just for smokers, it's not an automatic death sentence, and it causes you to prioritize your life. I began coughing b

Bettye G, MO

Last fall, I had a physical examination and I asked for a CT scan. I met the recommended requirements and was approved for a low-dose CT scan. The results were shocking! There was a benign nodule on my left lung and it was removed using a procedure c

Linda W, MT

I never smoked and I got lung cancer. My local doctors ignored my symptoms of shoulder pain and a chocking cough.

Penny G, NY

My mother, Gloria Young, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in 2006. My mother was determined to fight it, but the cancer had already taken over. She died less than six months later at the age of 61.

Ashley S, OK

In July 2017, I went to see a pulmonologist for shortness of breath, thinking it was probably only asthma. After an x-ray revealed a spot on my left lung my mind began racing.

Diane R, TX

We were experiencing 120 EMS calls for asthma symptoms a school year due to students’ not having access to medication on campus

Browyn K, TX

School Nurse in Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio shares her thoughts about adopting a stock bronchodilator policy for the district.

Kateri L, AZ

October 30, 2015 will forever be the day my world changed. That day I heard those words that no person wants to hear…"you have cancer." I kept questioning how this could happen to me.

Patricia B, NV

Lung disease has impacted my life in many ways. My grandmother developed COPD after smoking for many years and working in a cardboard box factory. I would sit with her while she did her breathing treatments and watch her be tethered to her oxygen. Sh

Judy H, NC

I had an uncle who died from lung cancer and a sister who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. I had been a pack a day smoker for probably 35 years at that point. My uncle's death and sister's diagnosis scared me and I quit smoking in April of 200

Sarah M, MT

On a full moon night, walking on a beach in Puerto Morelos, Scott asked me to marry him. And just ten days later, when we had returned home to Montana from traveling in Mexico and then the UK to visit Scott's family, Scott was diagnosed with terminal

Shawna Z,

My mother was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer 2.5 years ago! She immediately started chemo and radiation. After her six month round she then went on to what they called a maintenance program. Up until February of this year 2015 she had remained on

Noreen P, NY

I am here today on a whim. I'll never forget it, it was a simple question I ask my doctor, and a simple response that saved my life. I was smoke free for a little over a year after being a pack a day smoker for thirty-plus years.

Dineen C, NY

Our story began in July when our feisty mother became out of breath while babysitting her youngest grandchild. Mom made a doctors appointment and went in for some blood work and other tests. On August 3, mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. While we w

Milagros R, NY

I just lost my only sister of 51 years old. After the hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico my sister wasn't feeling well. Since she was diabetic we where thinking that because the lack of proper food, medication and water, her sugar levels where unstable,

Teri G, NJ

My primary physician told me about the screening (which I'd never heard of) due to my smoking history. She suggested I read up on it, and I decided to do it. I was fortunate to have an MD Anderson Cancer Center nearby, so all my screenings and care h

David G, NC

In the summer of 2013, after a courageous three-year struggle, I lost my younger sister to lung cancer. She was a life-long smoker.

Maria D, MI

I wish that my mother was here to tell her own story, but because of asthma, that can't happen. Instead, I will tell it and hope that it brings awareness to the severity of lung diseases.

Michael C, ME

In 2014, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. I took to finding a way I could deal with this news.

Monica M, AZ

Nancy B, TX

Nancy P, MA

Nancy R, CA

Nancy S, MT

Natasha K, PA

Nicole H, UT

nita C, CA

O'Neill L, AK

Pat P, OH

Patricia C, FL

Patricia C, TN

Pennie C, WA

Preetham B, VA

R D, PA

Rachael M, MA

Radine C, IL

Randie H, TX

Randie H, TX

Reba P, PA

Renee D, MO

Rev. JAE H, NM

Reva H, OR

Rex G, PA

Rhynita R, GA

rich D, CA

Rita M, KY

Robert P, AR

Robert S, LA

Robert T, CA

Robert W, WA

Roger B, PA

Ron B, CA

Rouben P, CA

Russ B, CA

Ruth B, AZ

Ruth Helen B, CA

Rylie T, UT

S. F, MA

Salvatore C, OH

Sam S, AK

Sandra W, TN

Sara N, OH

Sarah R, MA

Sharon E, AZ

Sharon M, CA

Sherra E, OK

Carly H, MI

I am going to be honest, I struggled quite a bit with my father's lung cancer diagnosis. As a child I had begged him to quit smoking, especially when his own mother died from the disease.

Craig F, WI

My dad quit smoking in 1985 after his mother died. 3 1/2 years later I convinced him to see a doctor when I detected a 'wheeze' in his breathing.

Amanda P, OH

My grandfather was diagnosed with Stage 3C lung cancer in 2010

Donna Z, NY

I am a 46 year old woman, because of cigarettes, I am now a widow. My husband passed away in October 2012, almost a year ago, besides myself he left behind two teenage sons.

Cindy B, CT

My father, a non-smoker, passed from lung cancer nearly five years ago. He was diagnosed after he developed a cough treated for a few months as pneumonia.

K (Karen) L, HI

After several months of unintended weight loss and increasing joint inflammation and pain, I developed a cough. Just hours after being told my cough was caused by acid reflux, I began coughing up blood.

Teresa W, TX

My father was diagnosed with lung cancer in December of 1983. He was 69 years old at the time and had been a heavy smoker for 50 years.

Linda A, MN

About 7 months ago I went in for a physical - everything was just "fine". Blood work everything is okay. For about 3 weeks I had has this stitch in my right side.

Pat P, MS

My dad died from lung cancer in January 2003. He was diagnosed less than 30 days earlier. He had been exposed to radiation at his job. Fast forward to 2011 when I had a recurrent sore throat and went to my ENT.

Margaret C, NY

My brother passed away from lung cancer on July 20, 2013 - he had learned he had lung cancer on June 23, 2013 - too late to receive any treatment or hope for a longer life.

Becky J, MA

Did you know that lung cancer claims more lives each year than breast, prostate and colon cancers COMBINED? Did you know that it doesn’t receive nearly as much funding as those cancers? Until my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer I did not know much

DeWitt H, NM

Lung cancer took my wonderful brother Richard from his wife and extended family when he was only 56. That's been 12 years ago, but of course I think of him very often.

Laurie S, NY

My mom had lung cancer. We did not find out she had it until it was 4th stage. She was diagnosed in 09/15/2010 and passed 09/21/2013. She did two rounds of chemotherapy then did radiation.

Frank C, CA

In Dec. 2009 I went for my annual physical, all went well. I had a new doctor as mine had retired. By chance he gave me a chest x-ray.

Peter R, CT

I have a good outcome story. On April 27, 1994, I had a car accident. I complained about chest pain caused by the seat belt. A CAT scan was taken and several nodules were spotted.

Summer D, CA

"Did she smoke?" When people found out my mom had lung cancer that was the first question they asked. As if finding out that she did would make it better.

Rebecca V, GA

I lost my father to lung cancer almost three years ago. What I really want others to know is that people with lung cancer, your friends, your family, your loved ones, are not statistics.

Allen M, VA

My late wife, a long-time cigarette smoker, died of lung cancer

Mary M, MO

My lung cancer was discovered, like most, by accident, while being scanned for something totally unrelated. The diagnosis of Stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer was a shock, to say the least, as I am a non-smoker, swimmer, bicyclist, healthy eater an

Cheryl S, OH

It's been almost five years since my then 12-year old daughter came running down the stairs in tears to tell me one of her best friend's mother had just been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Ruby H, PA

My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and when we went to see the surgeon, he informed us that there was a spot on the lung.

June A, LA

Debbie S, OR

On Sept. 11, 2012, I experienced chest pains which were diagnosed as acid reflux. Chest pains require a chest x-ray, which showed a shadow on my left lung.

Sherri S, NE

My dad passed away from lung cancer on Sept 15, 2009. He was the one who helped me and I was still in high school so when he didn't feel good.

Gloria R, PA

Five years ago, at the age of 60, my intuition told me to get a CT scan - my brain also urged this, as I'd smoked for 25 years.

Lysa B, NV

I had back pain for several months that just got worse. After finally going to the ER and having an x-ray, EKG, MRI and a CT I was told I had lung cancer that had spread to my spine.

Cheryl V, OR

I coughed up blood July 4, 2000, and being a respiratory therapist who had a chronic cough for about 3 months, decided it must be tuberculosis that I was exposed to.

Marge C, GA

In July 2011 getting ready for my yearly physical and feeling better than I had in a long time, my chest x-ray revealed a spot on my right lung.

Frank L, NY

I was a volunteer responder on 9/11 and was present at ground zero for over 2 months. In February, 2006 I was diagnosed with my first of 3 primary lung cancers.

Ronda D, IL

I was diagnosed two years ago with stage 3B lung cancer, my bonus was Horner’s Syndrome due to the location of my tumor (Pancoast). I have since been upgraded to stage IV.

Buddy R, NC

In early Feb, 2011 I went to my primary care physician to be treated for what was thought to be pneumonia. A chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI and bronchoscopy later, I was diagnosed with SCLC (limited) with a partial collapse of my upper right lobe.

Gail C, NY

When I went to the ER in May 2011 with an acute GI problem, I never expected to be told that the CT scan they had done had detected a lung nodule (unrelated to the GI problem).

Connie T, CA

Three summers ago, when I had a terrible backache after a strenuous hike, the last thing I expected was a diagnosis of Stage IV lung cancer. Even less expected was that the tumor, which had pretty much destroyed one of the vertebrae in my lower back,

Kerry L, NY

I am a trained medical professional (RN/Respiratory Therapist) who has lost both parents to lung cancer. Professionally I have taken care of patients who have/had lung cancer.

Dianna S, FL

I am a 57 Year old Grandmother of two wonderful boys and I found I'm Stage 3a Lung Cancer. I took control of my treatment immediately but must credit largely my husband of 38 years for standing at my side, asking questions, demanding answers and prod

Roy M, NC

During the summer of 2004, I was coughing up blood. My primary doctor sent me to see a lung specialist, who performed tests on me. He diagnosed me as having lung cancer.

Hope C, MS

A little over 3 years ago, I came down with Pneumonia. To confirm this, the doctor took a chest x-ray, which showed a spot on my lower right lobe of my lung. Biopsy confirmed that I had a Well Differentiated Carcinoma.

Michelle M, FL

Well my father is a really active 70 year old man who smoked his pretty much entire life. Other than that he has a healthy lifestyle, decent weight, still working as an attorney, lover of his family with multiple dreams and projects to accomplish.

vanessa W, MD

I have not been screened but I was diagnosed with COPD a smoker since age 12 quitting twice over a 40+ history of smoking. In 2010 was when I was diagnosed and it has been down hill since.

Beth M, IL

On this Mother's Day, and everyday, I honor my Mom who was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2014 at age 64. She was a non-smoker. Mom fiercely and courageously battled the disease and gave it her all amid the many health issues that arose along

Joyce A, NY

Today I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to my mother. She died 17 years ago to lung cancer and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her, I wish she was still here to talk to, she was my everything. I'll always love my mom, she

Julia R, MT

Sarah F, VT

I lost my mother a week ago, which was exactly one week before Mother's Day. Yesterday I woke up on Mother's Day and all I could think of was, "How many hours until bedtime?" I went through the motions of the day with my own children, and figured it

Kathy L, PA

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Lung Cancer (non-small cell) in December 2018, and had to wait until March for another scan, when that scan was performed prior to my surgery, they found another mass in my left upper lobe and an area of concern in my rig

Maria H, VT

Alexis M, MA

My name is Lexi, my story starts before I was born. It was in a little bar on Cape Cod around the 4th of July in 1990 when my father saw my mother for the first time. My Dad knew from the second he saw her that he would marry her.

Janine C, PA

On August 17th, 2018 I lost one of my favorite people in the entire world to lung cancer...my mommom Shirley Miller. She had been complaining of shoulder pain and coughing whenever she laid down but other then that, she seemed perfectly healthy and v

Norma G, NV

In October of 2016, I consulted a doctor for a persistent cough I had for a couple of months. A chest x-ray revealed what they thought may be pneumonia or a possible mass. They suggested a CT scan of the lungs. I battled my insurance company for the

Matthew W, NY

Brenda A, KY

My doctor ordered the scan during a routine physical. He did not suspect cancer but because of my years of smoking wanted to be on the safe side. I was not afraid or intimidated by his request for me to be scanned. Lo and behold, a spot showed up and

Landon R, PA

My mom was only 60 years old when she passed away. It was January 18th, 2018 when I took her to the hospital for throwing up and not feeling well for a few weeks.

Emily D, CO

In February 2018 I was diagnosed at age 32 with Stage IV lung cancer due to a genomic mutation, while 33 weeks pregnant with our second child. I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks, one day at the top of the world and then disbelief.

Therese S, MI

William N, FL

I was diagnosed with lung cancer a year and a half ago. We have a beautiful 11-year-old adopted daughter. I'm 73.

Amanda S, ND

My father was first diagnosed with COPD January 2003, there were small spots on his lungs. As this terrible disease progressed, it slowly took away from him so many things.

Peter C, NV

I was diagnosed and treated for stage 2 lung cancer last year and went through chemo therapy shortly after my surgery. Without the support of my two sons and family recovery would have been a lot more difficult. I was shocked at first with the diagno

Kathleen M, CT

Very lucky & grateful. After a persistent cough, a referral introduced me to an incredible team that diagnosed an ademoma carcinoma lung cancer (stage 1A).

Halle H, CA

The week my grandmother started having symptoms of her lung cancer she was an active/busy person. Even mowed her yard that week. My grandad was pretty much catatonic during that time with COPD so she was doing all the housework.

Ann B, PA

I had viral pneumonia when I was 8 years old, in 1955. I had it for probably 4 months. I got it from my mother who had been hospitalized with it before I was became ill.

Hatton L, MT

Jill H, MT

Darren S, NY

I lost my grandfather, Sy Beckerman, to lung cancer over twenty years ago. Unfortunately my grandfather started smoking when he was a teenager and lost his life when he was only 62 years old.

Michele S, NC

Lori R, IA

My mother received her lung cancer diagnosis on Easter 2015 and passed away just 5 months later on Labor Day 2015. My mom was 86 years old, not on any medications, very healthy, and walked everywhere she went in her small Iowa town.

Stavroula X, TN

Yemayah S, TN

Laura D, RI

My doctor asked if I wanted to do the low-dose screening and I said yes. The scan wasn’t intimidating at all, in fact I never thought there would be anything wrong at all. Because they caught the cancer in its early stages, and when it was so small t

Patricia M, MI

I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer July 3, 2018. Determined to fight I started chemotherapy. CAT/PET scans and a brain MRI showed no cancer anywhere else. My left lung was collapsed and I had a large mass in my chest.

Ashlee H, OH

My name is Ashlee Harmon, I am a 17-year-old from Troy, Ohio and my life has been affected by lung diseases.

Kelli B, MT

Donna C, MD

I have had 2 robotic lung caner surgeries. I never had an oncologist. Both were stage 1A.

Megan M, AZ

On December 3, 2018, my life forever changed. My mom, a nurse, that has spent her whole life helping others, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-small cell carcinoma (cancer). This was a major blow to my family especially because my mom showed no signs of

Monique R, AZ

Due to SECONDHAND SMOKE & POOR AIR QUALITY, Asthma, Pneumonia's, Valley Fever have been apart of my life since eight years old.

Abbey H, MO

When I was 16 years old, my grandfather got extremely sick. He had been a smoker since he was 8 years old. He never had a lung cancer screening CT with his primary care physician. At 59, the cancer had metastasized to his bones and he was diagnosed w

Alyssa B, FL

My family is insanely close. We are lucky enough to genuinely enjoy each other's company. We look forward to holidays and get togethers because they're always filled with loud, and usually inappropriate, laughter.

Diane B, MI

I was in the National Lung Screening Trial at the University of Michigan. This is the study that has prompted all the billboards and other reminders for former smokers to "get the scan." As a former smoker, when they called for volunteers in 2003, I

carol F, FL

My 49-year-old husband smoke since he was 14. Tried to quit multiple times but got pulled back in. Two weeks ago, we found a 2 1/2 inch mass in his right lung.

Jill O, IN

I was in a car wreck 3 years ago with my husband and 90-year-old mother in the car. My husband was driving when I heard my mother gasp. All air bags were around us as we headed to the embankment. My husband and mother was o.k. but I told EMS I could

Milli W, NM

Lakita H, MI

My story is about the strongest and sweetest person I ever known, my mom.

Mary W, NC

My primary care physician told me at my annual visit that as a former smoker I was covered under Medicare for a CT scan. I made an appointment but it was cancelled and other medical priorities prevented me from rescheduling it. I was scheduled for a

Andrea H, NJ

A few decades back, my grandmother, Adele, discovered that she had lung cancer.

Ernestine T,

I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in Nov, 2013 after having an MRI of my lower back done to determine causes of right leg pain. Never had any lung issues up to that point and never smoked. A biopsy was done of the tumor seen in the MRI to det

Nancy W,

I was a smoker. There - I put it out there. Lots of boomers smoked. Reasons now don't really matter. And I quit. Finally. Successfully. February 24, 2010.

Teresa S,

After having "sinus" issues for all my life, my "post nasal" drip became worse and I started experiencing a cough. The cough was "productive" so I assumed it was due to my sinus issues.

Clemente P,

Early detection of lung cancer, as with all cancers, is important to me because it saved my sister’s life - on 3 separate occasions!

Rita R,

Early detection allowed me to get operated on to remove the cancer and to have chemotherapy afterwards. I now go for regular check-ups and CT scans. Plus, I am on an oral medicine targeting the cancer that remains.

Maria A,

My mother died of lung cancer at the age of 54. Although she was a smoker, she never felt sick, and didn't experience coughing or any other warning signs. Her father also died of lung cancer in his 60s. My brothers and I are approaching 50.

Cathy Z,

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 despite my internist insisting I was healthy and did not need the recently-introduced low-dose CT scan that I requested.

Joan C,

I had just turned 65. I was referred to a new Internist as mine had retired. Dr. Turken had a protocol that anyone who was 65 years of age who had ever smoked would be required to have a lung and heart scan. Both scans showed health issues.

Colleen R,

I really do think early lung cancer detection is important; however when I tried to obtain a low dose CT scan (I planned to pay out of pocket costs with my own funds) with a script from my physician, they wouldn't do it saying I didn't 'fit' the crit

Nancy B,

Whenever I tell people I am a lung cancer survivor, they ask me how I knew I had it. I tell them I had a wheeze, just a little wheeze...and that I had never had a wheeze before.

Anita C,

As a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, I have worked with many lung cancer patients. I have seen many lives cut short by the ravages of lung cancer, including my own beloved Grandfather who had survived WWII

Joann D,

My mother, Joann, turned sixty years old on April 2015 and upon going for her annual physical, her doctor informed her that she was in the best health of her life and whatever she was doing, to keep doing.

Ansel O,

Two years ago, I was a medical transcriptionist at a pulmonary clinic. As a young ally in healthcare, I have encountered narratives of people living with COPD, emphysema, and lung cancer, some of which have traveled with me since.

Nicole R,

In December 2015, I began having a cough that never went away. It got worse and I finally went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with bronchitis, put me on steroids and antibiotics and sent me on my way. The bronchitis never went away, it only got wo

Rita H,

I am a 53 year old never smoker. At 50 I had a blood test at my yearly gynecology exam that showed cardiac protein levels were high.

John H,

I was selected for a program to take a chest X-ray once a year starting in 1984. In 2002 the x-ray showed I had cancer in my right lower lung (small cell). I was operated on in March of 2003, the lower lobe of right lung was removed. My wife said the

Pamela S,

I had been feeling slightly breathless (almost unnoticeable) at the end of summer 2014. I attributed it to the heat and humidity and turning 60. In October I was getting ready for a shopping trip with my children when I coughed up a small amount of b

Samir I,

One day, mid-January, I passed out during performing my duty and was transferred to the hospital with chest pain.

David S,

In June of 2014, I lost my wife, Joanne, to lung cancer. Joanne was my hero and still is. I always said that if I went through what she did, I would probably dig a hole and climb in. Not her - she was a fighter.

Karen M,

An early Saturday morning with Michael having breathing problems was the beginning of a new journey for us. With tightness across his chest and unstable breathing, we headed to Urgent Care.

Louise H,

I smoked for 36 years even after watching my mother die from lung cancer. I've been a non-smoker for almost 12 years now.

Venard C,

Betty Woodruff, Venard Cabbler's mother, is the inspiration for his poetry. When his mother passed away from lung cancer in 2010 he experienced a flood of emotions that tapped into a talent he never knew existed.

Nicole R,

At 36 years old, I was happy, I was re-married with a great pre-teen daughter and 2 wonderful step-sons - life couldn't have been better. In December 2015, I had come down with a cough. It progressively got worse as time went on and while on a New Ye

Helen H,

I was always one of the blessed people who never had to deal with any significant health issues and never even gave my health status much thought. As my family was preparing to welcome my first grandchild into the world, I began to feel that somethin

Stacey R,

My dad was always a very hard working husband and father. He provided a great life for our family. He always worked doing industrial construction. Always was a pretty healthy man. He was never sick and never went to the doctor.

Jackie M,

Jackie went to an allergist about her sinus infection. Because she had coughed up blood, the doctor sent her for an imaging evaluation; it showed a spot on her lung.

Anne B,

I am an MRI technologist and was used to seeing patients diagnosed with cancer. When I developed a pain in my left side, I thought it was from moving wood with my boys.

Stephanie F,

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most feared diagnoses. It is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States and one with a poor prognosis. I do not know how I knew that. It could have been from knowing people who died of small cell or f

James M,

my mother Rose passed away on the 4th of July, two days after her 63rd birthday due to COPD.

Frida O,

In March 2015, Frida O. thought she had walking pneumonia -- she had a low-grade fever and a cough that lasted for months.

Zelita W,

May 8, 2015 I was diagnosed the adenocarcinoma lung cancer. Detection at stage 1B. The cancer was discovered after have a annual mammogram plus a breast MRI because of a family history of breast and other cancers. Needless to say I was not expecting

Katie K,

My mom was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in August of 2015. The diagnosis was sobering, because she is the root to our family tree.

Ashley M,

In October 2012, I was an average sophomore attending The Pennsylvania State University. Life was great; I had a wonderful boyfriend, great friends, and I was loving the college life.

Alan R,

I was diagnosed with a Pancoast tumor in the summer of 2009. I spent a full career in the painting industry. We worked around every hazardous product there is including lead, asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, epoxies, and even volatile organic co

Karen V,

I'm 3 1/2 year NED of Adenocarcinoma. I want to share some help with others facing a diagnosis. There were so many things that I didn't know, and wish I had.

Carol S,

In the late 1960s at age 34, Carol’s brother experienced seizure while on vacation with his wife. After being rushed to the emergency room, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which quickly metastasized to his lungs and brain. He passed away aft

Michelle Y,

In December of 2007, my loving mother was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. She was a non-smoker. Our family was stunned. However, once we accepted the diagnosis, we were determined to stand as a family and wage war against the disease. Th

Heather J,

My name is Heather, I am 43 years old and I am a lung cancer survivor. I am an avid runner, I love to mountain bike, kayak, and did I mention that I am a non-smoker? That's right a non-smoker. Until my cancer diagnosis I had always considered myself

Joanna S,

It was only a few days ago on October 5 of 2016 that I found out, within one hour, that my dad and I both have cancer.

Christine H,

I am a Respiratory Therapist and I teach college level students to join the profession and be part of the LUNG FORCE to fight lung disease. My father, Kurt Sorensen, died too young because of smoking related heart disease and bladder cancer. I know w

Denise W,

This past April, my father Julius J Werner lll (Skeeter) thought he had fallen down and hurt his back. He was taken to the hospital where they did x-rays and found nothing. He went home a few days later he had a doctor appointment. The doctor was che

Shelly F,

Eighteen years ago this past Memorial Day weekend - I was miserable. I had sores all over my left leg and terrible stomach issues.

Ami M,

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 small cell lung cancer in June of this year. We had no idea that she was sick until she was really down. She has been through chemo and radiation and is still fighting. As my mom says she has on her boxing gloves!

Nikki U,

I'm a 35 year old non-smoker, who never smoked a day in my life that was diagnosed October 5, 2016 with NSCLC.

Andrea E,

I lost my mom four years ago to lung cancer. At the time I didn’t know the devastating statistics surrounding this disease, especially in women. I also didn’t know how quickly the disease can progress if not diagnosed early.

Peter W, IA

Theresa moved to Sturgeon Bay, WI from Seoul, South Korea in 1980 at the age of 14, and we first dated in 1984. Eighteen years later, in the fall of 2002, we were reunited.

Kristin G, CA

My sister was diagnosed with lung cancer on April 1, 2013. She had no symptoms except for joint pains and swollen finger tips and feet.

Mike T, VA

I blame it on the cigarette companies - they knew smoking was dangerous yet denied it and still advertised it as OK, even implying that "light" cigarettes were an acceptable alternative.

Jason D, MO

I just wanted to let you know about a young man who is honoring his grandmother, who is currently battling lung cancer. Nickolas, who is a Varsity Football Player in Seneca, MO, has been wearing a pink band around his wrists this season to honor his

Christie S, TX

In December 2011 my dad, Gaylon, was diagnosed with stage four non-small cell lung cancer. By the time he was diagnosed it had spread to his bones, other organs and his brain. He had tumors in his brain that caused him to be unable to speak clearly a

Jes W, OH

I was nine years old when I was affected by lung cancer. My dad passed away from lung cancer after a three year battle with the disease. It taught me as a young girl about resilience and staying strong in the face of such a hard life lesson.

Michele F, FL

My sister in-law passed away in April after a 9 year battle with lung cancer.

Michael H, NC

On Friday, May 7, 2004, I received a call from my sister. Meg had come from a doctor’s visit because of nagging bronchitis. She was headed to the hospital for chest X-rays.

Frank S, MA

Last year on November 2, my mom became ill when she came home from work. She felt dizzy, and parked her car crooked when she arrived home.

Clare M, AL

I am 70 years old and woke in the night with pain under my right shoulder blade. I thought it was a heart attack so woke my husband to go to the emergency room.

Elizabeth R, CA

My husband's story is sadly typical; it all started with a cough. It could be heard throughout the house and he was incapacitated by it. At first they thought it was bronchitis, when it became bloody they tested for TB.

Rita E, ID

My husband, Kelly, is a lung cancer survivor - yes, you read correctly - stage 3.5 small cell in his right lung. It would take a long while and too much space to tell you exactly what happened - but I will shorten it and tell the key points.

Heather I, OH

I found out that my mother has lung cancer after several trips to the emergency room and overnight stays. It started in April with bronchitis and pneumonia.

Diane G, NJ

Nancy M, NY

The Hugs I missed. When I was one, I couldn't tell you not to smoke while you were holding me, so I fussed. When I was five, I would wave your cigarette smoke out of my face as I ate dinner.

Robert A, MO

In the fall of 2011 I wrestled with a cough for a week or two. One day I got dizzy along with severe heart burn and went to my knees. I managed to dial 911, but then got better.

Grace M, GA

When I found out the county I live in, Paulding County, GA, made the "lowest particles" list I was enraged!! The area of Paulding I live in is ALWAYS smoky.

Marlene M, OR

My late husband, Bob (48 yrs old), was diagnosed July, 2003 with stage 4 lung cancer as a non-smoker due to high radon levels in our home in Lake Oswego, OR.

Joyce K, NC

I am sharing my lung cancer story because I want to provide hope and inspiration! I was diagnosed with lung cancer twenty five years ago, at age 33. I was sitting at my desk at work when I coughed up a clot of blood.

Thomas Z, TX

Help make a difference in someone's life. On Sept 13, 2012 I flew to Grand Rapids MI for a four day vacation to surprise my Mom for her 84 birthday.

Denise H, NY

I am a 3 year lung cancer survivor and happy to report my life is very much back to normal. I was diagnosed with stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer in June 2010 and had the upper lobe of my right lung removed in July 2010.

Deborah W, CT

My husband found out he had lung cancer after trying to fight a cold. First the doctor told him he had a bad cold. It would not go away and turned into pneumonia.

Eileen B, CA

Janice S, MI

I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in August of this year. The tumor was around 2 centimeters. I consulted with a team of doctors at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.

Richard W, PA

I grew up in a family where everybody smoked. We never even talked about it. I knew the habit was unhealthy, so limited my use to five cigarettes a day or less.

craig L, OR

I'm a 90-year-old retired surgeon. In WW 2 I was a Marine. Our K-rations and C-rations had packets of 4 cigarettes each. I got hooked. In medical school about 1950 I learned that tobacco causes lung cancer, and tried to quit.

Kathleen S, FL

I was diagnosed in 1999. My diagnosis was a HUGE surprise, and it was not easy to obtain. I had been busy planning my wedding and also had a busy career and small children.

Christina M, TX

My mother just passed away on October 1, 2013 from lung cancer that had metastasized to bone cancer. She was only 67 years old and had not smoked in 15 years.

Donna H, PA

I have nearly 12 years of volunteer experience with a variety of nonprofit organizations, local community based organizations, and civic minded groups.

Tracey B, MD

My dad, 58 years old started having pain in his left side that would not go away. He recently was treated in the hospital for pneumonia three months earlier, so we just thought it was because of that.

Misty W, AR

I lost my mother, Rita, to lung cancer on December 10, 2012 at 3:05 PM. We found out she had lung cancer after a drain tube was put into her lung to drain some fluid off on November 7, 2012.

Linda R, MN

My story of how I figured out I had lung cancer: Early February of 2004 I was having extreme anxiety and panic attacks. I ended up in ER twice because of it.

Nancy M, MA

August 2010 I went to my primary physician after experiencing tremors/painful tingling sensation in my left arm above my elbow. These would literally jump to my rib cage under my left breast.

Bob A, FL

Lina J, CA

In January 2006, a broken rib from coughing led to the diagnosis of stage 3b lung cancer. My late husband was not a smoker.

Mike N, ME

My name is Mike Nobel. I'm a songwriter living in ME. My wife has worked for many years as a Hospice nurse, visiting, and supporting hundreds of patients (and their families) at the end of their lives...

Jillian F, MA

I lost my best friend, my mom, almost a year ago. On November 19, 2012 my mother Brenda (52 years old) lost her battle to cancer. When I say she was my everything, I kid you not.

Robin D,

I was diagnosed with lung cancer on Nov. 16, 2012 and I was devastated as I was a healthy 55 year old health teacher and basketball coach who exercised all the time.

Diana M, FL

I am a 51 year old female and this past August I was diagnosed with stage 2 lung cancer. On the 28th of October I had half of my lung removed.

Kate K, NY

I was blessed my cancer was found early while it was still in my lung only. I was diagnosed at stage 2. In May 2013 I was scheduled for a non-related surgery, but a pre- surgery x-ray showed a spot on my lung that was not there last November.

Staci D, KY

My mother passed away of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a few days ago. She had it for a few years, but was misdiagnosed. If only I had gotten involved in her care sooner, maybe I could have helped.

Alex L, VA

My Mom was diagnosed with stage IV ALK+ lung cancer in July 2014. Her first symptoms seemed like she had an upper respiratory infection - a runny nose and bad cough. Having been a never smoker with no other risk factors, her doctors ran every test fo

Joanne W, NJ

I was diagnosed with Stage 3A Non Small Cell Lung Cancer back in 2000. I got the news on Good Friday. To find out what stage it was I had to have a Pet Scan. It was new and I was the 9th patient at Robert Wood Johnson Radiology to have it done. I was

Amber P, DE

When I was about 7 years old, I remember my mom coming into the kitchen in tears, her mother and my Nana was just diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

Diane W, MI

In August 2018, I was driving down Rt 2 East, by Davis-Besse Power Plant in Oak Harbor, OH and saw a billboard that said "If you have ever smoked, you could be eligible for a life-saving lung scan."

Sandy S, GA

Iʼm Sandy Spears, a life long resident of Georgia. In May 2019 I will celebrated my 40th wedding Anniversary. That is something I did not think I would see after a lung cancer diagnosis.

Sandy H, OH

Last year beginning of June 2018 on a hot summer day around 3 p.m I started not to feel well, like flu symptoms. I took a hot shower and I felt very cold. I got dressed like it was winter time. I still couldn't get warm, cover myself with three blank

Nancy C, CT

My lung cancer story began almost exactly eight months ago. As is the case for many of us, it was found not through routine screening. For a couple of days, I experienced sharp pain in my side and it hurt to take a deep breath. My message to anyone w

Tiffany M, OH

Lung disease completely up ended and radically changed my life and the life of everyone in my family.

Geoffrey R, PA

My story to share is about my Dad, Ned Roche's amazing and courageous battle against lung cancer.

Sue G, CA

My husband has struggled over the years with several health issues beginning with COPD (after smoking for 35 years and then quitting in 2002).

Ashley G, SC

My grandmother's name is Virginia and she was 75 years old and had been sick for awhile off and on. December 25th 2018, she fainted and we had her go to the hospital at this time she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and they told us she ha

Nikki M, LA

My name is Nikki. I’m a caregiver to my mom, Bonnie who is battling Stage IV lung cancer and this is my story.

Jane B, AL

My name is Jane Berry. I am 78 years old and I have Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. I was first diagnosed years ago with COPD.

Thomas P, MI

I was never the type of person to go to the doctor on a regular basis for a check-up. In 2009, I made the decision that I wanted, no had to, quit smoking, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do it on my own.

Cassie C, MS

I was feeling bad one day at work in early June and went across the street to the drug store, had my blood pressure taken by the pharmacist and it was high and I was told to call my family doctor. I am a very healthy person, so having high blood pres

Michelle N, KY

I am 42 years old and have Stage IV Lung Cancer. I was diagnosed June 26, 2015. I had been going to the doctor for over a year trying to figure out why I had severe shoulder pain.

Kristin P, PA

On April 2, 2019, my mom passed away after living with COPD for about 15 years and fighting pneumonia one too many times.

Robert K, DE

My name is Robert. I’m 43 years old, and in January 2019 I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic lung cancer. While I was as shocked as anyone who might get that news while living a relatively healthy life, I didn’t stop and ask, “Why me?”

Carolyn P, KY

My husband was diagnosed with cancer in November 2009 at which time his left lung was removed. He required no chemotherapy or radiation.

Dawn D, IL

My Mom passed away from lung cancer on 9/20/2019, she was 59.She smoked for many years but she loved to tell the story about how I "saved her life."

Andrea W, OH

My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer on August 18, 2019. She had not been sick, and it was found unexpectedly. She did not fit the criteria for lung cancer screening.

William L, MN

Upper lobe of right lung removed August 2012. No chemo, no radiation. All still OK as of a few months ago.

Kelsey A, RI

In February 2018, I came home from work to find the TV off. That may seem insignificant, but in our house the TV is only off when there is bad news.

Rebecca C, GA

Who would have thought mentioning to my Primary Care Physician that I needed something for a slight cough, while there for another issue would lead to a diagnosis of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer thirty days later?

Catherine W, OH

My story came to life 11 years ago when I turned 30. I developed a chronic cough that took over my life. Turns out I had asthma, as an adult.

Mary Jo G, MI

There are days/moments in your life that you never forget, moments that leave you with an understanding that there was a before this and after this. Your wedding day, the day your children were born, and the day you were diagnosed with cancer. For me

Brittany G, MO

Laying in bed, I opened the text. Pneumonia? Wait, what? She had been battling a cough for 3 years. Was it pneumonia the whole time? Thinking we had finally found the cause of the mystery cough, I called off work and headed to the hospital.

Jennifer K, WI

My name is Jen. I am 47 years old and was diagnosed on April 13, 2018 with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. To say that this was a shock is an understatement as I have never smoked a day in my life.

Katreena G, GA

I did the Lung Force walk in 2018 for the first time. The year before, I lost my uncle to lung cancer. He never smoked, was a vegetarian, lived a healthy life.

Danielle W, AZ

I'm Danielle and my life has changed in so many ways. On November 21, 2018 I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which spread to my lower spine, my pelvis and the top of my right shoulder. CRAZY!

Tonya R, NC

My mom told me in December of 2017 that she had been diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. She had a persistent cough that would not go away which was why she decided to go to the doctor. It was at that time she was diagnosed.

Hildi C, NC

My beautiful Mom Rose Marie was diagnosed with stage one NSCL lung cancer in February of 2019. My Mom never smoked, her Dad was a cigar smoker and my Dad smoked cigarettes for about 6 years.

Melanie Y, MN

Holiday season is in full blast, and today marks one year since the passing of my mom. Because of this, I'm apprehensive about the upcoming holidays and am not feeling particularly joyful. I felt the need to get some heart words out of my mind and h

Andrea S, SC

My mother died of lung cancer at the young age of 44. I was only 10 years old when it happened and I recently turned 44 this last month.

Heidi N, CO

Working out 7 days a week--cardio, strength, core training, and clean eating--has been, and continues to be, a huge part of my life and who I am. I hike trails at significant inclines in Colorado on the weekends.

Kari P, IN

In December of 2006, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Of course 13 years ago it was a death sentence with not many options except chemo and radiation.

Mariann C, NY

I joined the LUNG FORCE Walk because I was diagnosed in October 2015 with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. I can't believe October 2020 will be 5 years since I received the life changing diagnosis of lung cancer.

Katie S, OH

My mom was a smoker as a teenager and into her early 60’s. She found out she had lung cancer had surgery, no chemo or radiation needed. She scanned often and it was size of pin head.

Donald C, NH

My father, a life time smoker, finally quite when he retired at 65, however 20 years later at 85 he contracted lung cancer which did take his life. My mother who never really smoked developed COPD and eventually lung cancer which was attributed to se

Sher E, NJ

My lung cancer story is about LCNEC - Large Cell Neuro Endrocrine Carcinoma. I was diagnosed in March 2016. I told my doctor I was leaning to do gardening and I suddenly felt tightness and short of breath.

Cindi W, FL

I thought I had a 4am allergy cough, my husband thought I had pneumonia. I requested a chest X-ray. The radiologist saw a solitary pulmonary nodule, a mass really, with satellites. The size of a coconut.

Ronald S, MS

I changed my primary care physician. I was feeling fine and just looking for some refills of blood pressure meds. Taking my history, she recommended that I obtain a low dose CT scan. The scan was simple and easy to obtain.

Karine H,

My father was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in November of 2015. He had a 2” by 2” measured tumor in the upper left part of his left lung.

Lori K,

My 43 year old boyfriend began having back pain in January of 2016. He was living in China at the time, and an X-ray at a Chinese hospital showed a large mass in his lung. The doctor, through a translator, simply said, "Go home and see your family."

Misty B,

My husband, John, and I were married on the Fourth of July in 2015, and were happy to be celebrating our marriage with the fireworks and fanfare of the national holiday. Little did we know that just two months later, at the age of 35, I would be diag

Katelyn L,

In August of 2013, tragedy struck my family as I lost my best friend, my hero, my father to the horrific powers of Stage IV Lung Cancer

Kaye P,

In 2012 I was visiting my son's family for a very happy event - the birth of their son. I had had a cough for a while and was having severe shoulder pain. I thought I had a joint issue and needed a steroid injection. I went to the ER and was shocked

Bobbi J,

I was diagnosed in 2013 with stage 3 lung cancer. I've never smoked. I didn't have symptoms. I was 39. I just gave birth to a baby girl, Katherine Grace.

Donna T,

Hard to believe that just one year ago I received a diagnosis that would change me forever. Friday, October 23, 2015. Though I am more powerful than it; it has profoundly changed me. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adenocarcinoma in the upper rig

Ruthanne C,

My mom. She was born April 28, 1928. I loved her with all my soul. I talked to her every day. She was indeed my Best Friend. She died on October 11, 2009.

Elizabeth H,

In 2010, I broke my collarbone. A pre-op X-ray showed something on my lung. I had it checked and biopsied and it was diagnosed as lung cancer. I had the upper node of my left lung removed, which removed all of the cancer. It was staged as 1B non-smal

Judy P,

In 2002 I was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC, METS to my rib. I had half of my left lung removed, my rib resected, my spine dislocated, several different chemo's and radiation. Surprise! I lived.

Kay B,

In August of 2015 I was told I had lung cancer. I did not know anything was wrong with me until I had a difficult time breathing while tackling the big hill by our home on my daily morning walk. Soon I learned that my left lung was filled with fluid

Martha P,

This story is not about me. It's about my father and so many people I have loved.

Melinda B,

I was diagnosed May 5, 2014 after dealing with a lingering hacking, bad cough and no other symptoms. After it was confirmed it was cancer, I saw my oncologist and we started a treatment plan.

Susan C,

My name is Susan and I was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2016 following a lobectomy. I was initially staged as IIIa, but, doctors found a distant tumor prior to any treatment and changed my staging to stage IV.

Beth C,

My Dad died from lung cancer on November 8, 1993. He was 66 years old and I was 26 years old. My sister died from lung cancer in March of 2014. Too many families have been touched by this killer.

Laurie R,

My 66 year old mother was diagnosed with Limited Small Cell Lung Cancer last Thanksgiving

Valerie B,

My story is about my dear husband who was diagnosed 15 years ago with squamous cell lung cancer. He was operated on by a world famous doctor at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in NYC. She removed an upper lobe of my husband's lung and it was decide

Soby F,

I’m fine - probably just allergies. I often replied when people looked at me side-eyed like I had Ebola. It was just an innocent, dry cough that turned into fits when I talked too fast or laughed too hard. I felt fine. I was an active runner, non-smo

B C,

I asked my doctor for a chest X-ray and he sent me for one. It was not anything he understood so, he sent me for a PET scan which showed that I had a pea-sized growth in one lobe of my lung. They biopsied it and it was cancer.

D K,

My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer much too late. She died within months of her diagnosis.

Lyndsay L,

My mom passed away from lung cancer, at the age of 59, just 3 weeks after I had my first child and her first grandchild. She was diagnosed just 5 months prior.

Paul O,

I met my wife in 2012 and we got married March 2015 and then had our son. We were newlyweds with a baby and also a nine year old step-son and enjoying our family until she started to have a pain and her left back. We went to the doctor and they dismi

Debbie L,

On December 17, 2003 i was diagnosed with Stage 3 NSCLC. I had 2/3 of my right lung removed and over the next 6 months received radiation and chemo. I had all the side effects and was told I still only had a 5-15% chance of survival. I never had a si

Anna C,

In December of 2011 my husband Dennis of 33 years went to the doctor with a persistent cough and pain in his shoulders. After several rounds of antibiotics to treat suspected pneumonia, his cough and pain persisted. In January, he was diagnosed with

Alice P,

Coming home from an advanced step class, a telephone call from my PCP informed me that I had a sizable tumor on my skull that was working itself in. I had only slight pain in the area. My biggest symptom was that, when I brushed my hair, it sounded d

Bickie B,

I'm a Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer warrior. I'm 60 years old and was diagnosed 7 years ago. Because I was a nonsmoker my doctors refused to even consider lung cancer. Maybe if I had the biopsy earlier I wouldn't have been diagnosed at Stage 3.

Patty C,

My name is Patty and three years ago I was diagnosed with lung cancer. This was the scariest time in my life. Whenever I have heard of lung cancer, it seemed to always be fatal. Plus, I have had several friends, and relatives who have died as a resul

Carolyn W,

Lung cancer was diagnosed in the love of my life in Nov 2010; he passed in Jan 2011.

Suzanne A,

July 2010 is when I got a diagnosis that I never would have thought possible.

Gail M,

My first recollection of my mother was with a cigarette in her hand. She smoked over 3 packs a day. Imagine this, being in a car with the windows up and experiencing second hand smoke, one cigarette lit over and over again.

Shawne P,

I suffer from lung cancer. Not because I have or had it, but my mother did and passed away over a year ago.

Melissa C,

It was July 21st, 2014. My husband and I had just taken my two sons (5 and 7 years old, at the time) to the Museum of Science and Industry. We had a great day. When I got home, I got a call from my step-mother that I and my siblings needed to go over

Kathleen M,

Lung cancer affected me before I was 16. I didn't have cancer myself but my father did. He died from lung cancer shortly after my 18th birthday in 1995, after enduring chemo and radiation - the cancer had spread everywhere.

Cheryl F,

My aunt was a smoker and passed away from lung cancer a few years ago. Please, if you smoke... Stop.. If you don't, please don't start.

Ronald E,

Cathy Elliott was my hero and my mom. She was a heavy smoker - I remember growing up asking her to quit over and over again. My sister would also ask her as well, but she was just addicted.

Katherine K,

My lung cancer was found accidentally. I was also told I have mild emphysema. I had no symptoms, no idea that I had cancer growing in my lung.

Tarena H,

Here's my story. Yes, my Dad was a smoker. But he had stopped for 20+ years ago. He died from lung cancer 2 years ago at the age of 83. Last week my 69 year old husband was diagnosed with Non-Smoker Lung Cancer! My husband has worked around aviation

Martha B,

On May 17, 2001, I was operated on for a mass in my upper left lobe. It was diagnosed as undifferentiated large cello malignancy. It was removed by a lobectomy of that lung , as well as some lymph nodes that were effected.

Sherry F,

It’s two and a half years later and I am still feeling suffocated by loss.

Joy D,

In July 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. I was a healthy, active and hardworking 38 year old gal who was feeling run down and thought I had chest cold – or, maybe bronchitis or pneumonia at the worst.

Debra T,

She quit smoking 3 times in her life. The first time was when she was 33 and had been smoking for 23 years. She tried smoking the first time when she was just 10 years old, as did most of us – but, unlike most of us who never picked up another cigare

TJ F,

While playing college and high school football, TJ Fischer was always fearful of displaying his asthma to his team or the opposition, with the thought it would make him look weaker. So instead of using his inhaler during time off the field, he would

Nicolette I,

I'm a 23 year old, blessed, recent lung cancer survivor.

June B,

In early 2002 I was originally diagnosed with Stage 2 Uterine Cancer and had a radical hysterectomy followed by 18 rounds of radiation treatments. Over the next five years I did very well and in mid-2007 reached my 5 years cancer free. However, my ha

Nancy K,

I never thought that I would be talking about lung cancer because I never smoked. I have had three major health battles in the last few years. My first battle was cardiomyopathy, the second was a brain tumor which caused a stroke and I lost motor con

Samantha H,

My dad was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in 2006. I had lost a friend the year before from small cell lung cancer, so I knew what that diagnosis meant. He had quit smoking more than 20 years before his diagnosis. He lived about a year and los

Nicole S,

I am writing on behalf of my mother Joanne Schlosser who passed away April 23, 2016 after a five month battle with Stage IV lung cancer. My mom was a smoker; we always knew she had emphysema and had to have follow up appointments. In late November of

Lori S,

"You have Stage IV lung cancer and there is no cure." I heard these words 15 years ago as I sat in a doctor's office with my mother. My healthy, strong, beautiful, non-smoking mother. Seven months later she was gone – seven months of pain, fear, and

Shirley R,

My brother was diagnosed with mesothelioma just 2 months ago. He was not aware of symptoms.

Tabatha H,

I have chosen to share my story to help society become more aware of how lung disease affects so many people -- especially in my family and possibly myself.

Wayne U,

I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma cancer in August of 2014. It was found in my left kidney which was subsequently surgically removed. I was told that it was cancer free and of course I was much relieved.

Marian J,

Hi! My name is Marian and this is my story. In 2011, I had tests done after I broke 3 ribs. At that time, "something" was discovered in my left lung. In January of 2012, after further testing and many opinions, I had a resection of my left lung. The

Indea C, IL

I'm a 32-year-old mother of a 12-year-old girl, student, disabled, handicap, ex-CNA, caring, loving person, would give my last, love to help others.

Julie P, IA

In October of 2014, I went to the doctor for a cough that wouldn't go away and for sciatica pain in my right hip. My doctor said it was a cold and would go away over time and gave me a mild pain pill.

John H, MA

Marie M, TX

I'm 49 years old and a wife and mother of three. I was diagnosed with lung cancer on Dec. 7, 2010. I had a lobectomy, followed by chemo and radiation.

Glenda M, SD

I feel very fortunate to be able to share my story about lung cancer. My diagnosis came quite unexpected since I am a nonsmoker. It began when I developed a cough during a time when other's were having similar coughs.

Douglas C, CT

I participated in the 2016 Fight For Air Climb – Hartford on Saturday April 23 as a firefighter. Our team finished as the Fastest Team and I tied a team member as the 5th fasted member of our team with a time of 9:44 for the 34 floors and 688 steps.

Paul M, PA

I am 78 years old and I was a smoker for about 40+ years. I quit smoking 21 years ago. I have routine CT scans and a nodule was detected in June 2017. A followup scan was done in September, followed by a pet scan in October.

Ellen S, ND

My uncles encouraged my mom to start smoking at the age of 13 out behind the barn.

Patrice A, CA

Small cell lung cancer stole my mom; my person. She had the greatest laugh and a remarkable way of making people feel good.

virginia E,

Renee V, MN

My life has been impacted by several lung diseases. First, my youngest son, Nathan, suffers from asthma that is brought on by respiratory illnesses. I spent many a night in the ER as I was getting to know how to best treat him for his asthma. We have

Ellen S, AL

Our story is about BOOP; a short story, sadly too short. The love of my life, Pat, and I were best friends, he was my rock - a large burly man full of life.

Lois L,

I have been aware of lung cancer for a long time. My mother died of lung cancer in 1997 and my cousin died in 2007. Then in February, 2009 I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since then, another cousin died in 2016. There have been four of us, but I am

Clara L, TX

I have just been chosen as a LUNG FORCE Hero for the state of Texas. I am also finishing my fifth year of volunteering every Thursday morning in the Cancer Center Memorial Herman Greater Heights, where I was treated and healed and July 1 celebrate th

Diane M, OH

I was a diagnosed in December 2014 after getting X-rays for a sore shoulder. Thought I was dealing with a shoulder issue since I have played and coached volleyball.

Rachel H,

Ruth E. Ross was a mother, sister, daughter and friend. As a nurse, she dedicated many years of life to helping others and making this world a better place. She truly believed that having compassion for others, regardless of what walk of life they co

Carla P, TX

In 2012 just before my 52nd birthday, I was preparing for bariatric surgery. As part of the pre-op a chest x-ray was required. I have always been a non-smoker and other than being "Super Obese" I felt fine so I thought this was just a formality.

Sierra S, OH

Twenty-three years ago the most amazing person I know brought me into the world, my mother. I have never met a more loving, voice of reason in my life.

Jim H, AZ

In 2013, I was diagnosed with a disease that has no determined cause or cure. My doctors told me that my lungs would deteriorate but they couldn’t predict at what rate. I was instructed to get my affairs in order and enjoy the rest of my very-limited

Jance S, PA

My husband Pete was diagnosed with non-small cell Adenocarcinoma in May 2015. No symptoms until he was Stage IV.

Dawn M, AZ

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. My mother had suffered for years with difficulties breathing. She was told she had asthma, and then sarcodosis. My folks moved from the Midwest to the southwest to retire as well as to help my mother breat

Barbara M, NJ

I had never heard of IPF until I was diagnosed in 2003. The first thing I did was look it up online. What a scary and depressing future the Internet told me I was facing—3 to 5 years to live.

Charlene F, CT

My pulmonologist recommended I get a CT Scan after treatment for a persistent cough lasting a couple of weeks which was thought to have been Bronchitis did not go away. I was diagnosed in March 2016 with stage 1 lung cancer. A biopsy showed that 10 o

Donna D. B, PA

I want to share my testimony to be an encourager to those who are walking with the news that they have lung cancer. The first words that need to come out of my mouth is: cancer is the small c, because Christ is the Big C.

KATHY C, NY

Just two months after finishing his fourth half marathon, my husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. He was 42.

Elizabeth T, HI

Dad started when he was only 12 years old, long before people knew smoking caused cancer. By his 30s he was smoking 3-4 packs a day of Pall Mall. We were little then and we actually liked the smell of tobacco on his clothes, because when he was aroun

Julie C, NC

My face is the face of stage 4 lung cancer. This picture depicts the deep love I have for my only child, gifted to me by God just six years ago. Can you imagine how deeply my life was changed when I found out in September of 2016 I had lung cancer?

Shannon W, MD

My story is a little different. I am 46 years old and smoked for about 20 years having quit in 2009. I work at an imaging facility and we starting Lung Cancer Screenings a few years ago. One of our radiologists, who was aware of my smoking history, m

Julie V, CT

I've been a nurse for over five years in various departments such as emergency medicine, cardiac floor and recover room. I've seen all the devastating effects smoking has on your body - from COPD to lung cancer.

Rachel S, NJ

At the age of 4, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. My parents and I were told that this disease generally presents itself in either of two forms: one that attacks primarily the joints or a systemic version that attacks the internal

Carley F, SC

I was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 35. I am a nurse with a then 4-year-old son. I came down with a cold that turned into bronchitis and then into what I thought had to be pneumonia. I would get short of breath with my everyday tasks and I had a

Mike O, KY

I was diagnosed with IPF December 2014, waiting on a double lung transplant list.

Christine M, DE

In a blink of an eye your entire life can change. I was a happy, healthy, active 49-year old woman who ran several half marathons, loved to be outside walking, running and just staying active. Life was good, I was turning 50 and I was ready to embrac

Terril M, FL

I come from a family scarred by IPF. I'm a nurse practitioner, who noticed clubbing of the fingers, when my dad, a lifelong smoker, was struggling to breath. I assumed he had COPD, but his doctor told him it was IPF. He died in 1998.

Linda V, NC

My father was diagnosed with lung cancer in early July 2017. Early 2017, my dad experienced pain in his sciatica and pelvic region. He immediately went to his doctor and then to one of the top neurologists in Orange County, CA. In no particular order

Nancy W, NH

In late April my husband Ted and I packed up for a trip to explore Myrtle Beach properties; we were looking forward to our soon to be retirement. He showed me a red area on his left arm so we stopped into the local emergency room to have what appeare

Amy L, IN

In August of 2013 my mom went in for a routine chest xray prior to a hip replacement. In that film they discovered a mass on the upper right lobe of her lung. Further testing confirmed stage 4 small cell lung cancer that had metastasized to her bones

Barbara A, MA

My mother never smoked but was diagnosed with lung cancer at 76, and died of the disease at age 80. They didn't have CT scans in those days so by the time she was diagnosed, it was too late - although she did live longer than expected.

Dena A, NJ

I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in October, 2014. I had no idea I had it until I went to the ER for a car accident and they did a chest x-ray. That's when they found the hilar and medistinal lymphadenopathy, which turned out to be sarcoidosis by bio

Gina H, TN

Kaye C, NY

On March 9, 2017, I had a cough and some wheezing in my upper chest I passed it up, but that evening I got such an excruciating pain on my right upper side around the shoulder blade I thought I sprained.

Bruce D, NY

I am a 51-year old never-smoker in otherwise great health who, after experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath while exercising, was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer with the ALK mutation.

Doug F, TX

It all began in 2012 when my brother went into the Texas Heart Institute in Houston for the repair of a mitral valve prolapse. During the procedure, the surgeon discovered that he had a 6 cm aneurysm in his ascending aorta, so he repaired that also.

Lauren E, ID

When I was in eighth grade I came home one day from school and walked into my family room. My mom and dad sat there in front of me with their heads hanging low, barley making eye contact with my brother and I.

Gregory K, NV

I worked over 30 years in manufacturing, supporting the aerospace & defense industries. When I retired, I lost my medical and dental benefits.

Jay C, WA

It's coming up on eight years now (March 27, 2013) since I lost my wife and Nelson lost his loving mother, Patricia Leonard.

Laura B, WA

Imagine you are a nonsmoker who has just retired and planning on enjoying your new life across the country and you discover you have stage 4 lung cancer!

Marlo P, CA

March 2021 will mark the 7 year anniversary of my diagnosis date for stage 4 non small cell lung cancer.

Karen P, VA

On April 8, 2020, at 12:37 a.m. my life forever changed. My beloved father, Richard Cox, took his last breath surrounded by his loving family.

Pat L, PA

Imagine being in Iceland, flying 30,000 feet in the air on sight line for the lunar eclipse! What a wonderful expedition! It was only marred by a persistent cough.

Claudia H, OR

I have been asked to share my story with you. I begins in 2004 when I heard those dreadful words, “you have cancer”. This shook me to my core. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Danielle G, ME

My name is Danielle George and I became involved with LUNG FORCE back in 2019 when Amy Richard, one of my best friends and colleagues, was diagnosed with Stage IV lung caner.

Irisaida M, FL

I’m a stage IV cancer patient. I fight to live, but every day I also fight to breathe. In 2017 I learned that my uterine cancer distantly metastasized from my uterus to my left lung. It didn’t spread, it jumped. 

Heather L, MD

My name is Heather Lohmann and the story I am about to share is not my own but sadly has become mine to tell. This story is about my mother. My Mom's name is Christine Dunn and she lost her battle to lung cancer on July 8, 2019.

Amanda C, DE

I lost my father to stage four lung cancer just ten days after he was diagnosed. We watched as he rapidly withered away, cough by cough. In just 240 hours, he was gone.

Lisa C, CA

I live in a Section 8 affordable living apartment building in Fullerton, California. I am disabled and live alone with my beloved companion chihuahua.

David B, WV

After 17 years of marriage to the most wonderful lady I had ever met Marjorie was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Ashley R, NM

After enduring bouts of pneumonia and other debilitating respiratory issues, I was finally diagnosed in 2013, at the age of 32, with a pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor (NET).

Marie S, KY

In 2019 was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer stage 3! I was shocked because I had not had any symptoms to complain about.

Patricia W, KY

Hello! My name is Pati, and this is my lung cancer story. First of all, I am a mom, a grandma, an art teacher, an artist, a dancer, a runner, a lover of life.

Jennifer T, OH

I have asthma and am a school nurse. Asthma is the number on chronic disease that causes school absenteeism.

Louis C, PA

Hi, my name is Louis V. Cesarini. I am a stage 4, non-small cell lung cancer patient. I've recently published a book; Survival Symphony which chronicles the first year of my lung cancer journey.

Sherryl L, AZ

My son, Christopher LaGrone died of high-altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru in December, 2018. He was asthmatic since the age of 2. He died at age 41.

Janet S, PA

My husband and I live in Elizabeth Township, pa. The CLAIRTON MILL blows across our area, and all of the surrounding areas.

Janet W, ME

I've had asthma for 51 years. For the last 2 years I've been living in an apartment owned and operated by a shelter that's HUD funded.

Gwendolyn W, IL

I am living in low income housing with a disability and I am a single parent. It seems no one who runs our building has any concern about creating a healthy environment.

Luciana L, MA

As a health care advocate, smoking should be banned from the inside environment of every building.

Jade G, WI

Hello everyone, my name is Jade Gaertner, I'm a healthy 30 years old woman who is affected by poor air quality; from both indoor and outdoor reasons.

Lindsay T, KY

I have been living with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension for over 13 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 23 and have spent the majority of my adult life unable to walk up a flight of stairs without needing to stop and catch my breath.

Bryan L, CA

On calm, clear winter nights, our town fills with blue smoke from woodstoves and fireplaces. My eyes burn, head aches and I awake with severe congestion. Some years this happens a few times, but this past year it happened for two months straight.

Julia T, ID

I was diagnosed with Stage 4A NSCLC in August 2019.

Angela W, CA

Climate change is real, it is now. As a mother and pulmonologist, I see the myriad ways through which climate change corrodes the health of not just my patients, but my family, friends, neighbors and community.

Praveen B, CA

Cleaner fuels will help my patients breathe easier. We have no control over the air we breathe, but we do have a say in what pollutes it.

Sharon C, CA

All communities deserve a healthy climate. Air pollution has detrimental effects on fetal development, sends people to the hospital for respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, and worsens asthma and COPD.

Laren T, CA

As a pulmonologist, I've witnessed firsthand the effects of climate change and poor air quality on my patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Taking a stand to reduce climate pollution is what our children and patients deserve.

Gary P, CA

The wildfires are a wake-up call. The devastating wildfires in our communities served as a wake-up call. The unfolding climate crisis is impacting human health now and will become even more of a factor in the future.

Hassan B, CA

We know that even when people improve their health by kicking smoking and exercising more, air pollution can slow that progress, and lead to more pulmonary and cardiovascular consequences.

Michael O, CA

Healthy solutions will help California achieve smog and soot goals.

Penny B, CA

As a health officer with the San Luis Obispo Public Health Department, I view climate change as an urgent health issue

Cindy R, CA

To do so we need to extract ourselves from the use of oil, gas and coal, implementing cradle to cradle clean energy systems in concert with conservation measures.

Anthony D, TN

As a 30-year volunteer of the American Lung Association, including former chairman of the nationwide organization, I understand the threats of air pollution on lung health and the devastating impacts of lung disease on our families and communities.

Robert B, MT

Air pollution endangers our patients’ health. Air pollution endangers our patients' health and contributes to approximately 107,000 premature deaths every year in the United States alone.

Josephine M, KY

Clean air cannot be taken for granted. The quality of the air we breathe is critical to everyone's health, but in particular, to persons with respiratory and cardiac limitations and to children, who have developing lungs.

Therese S, MI

Clean air is essential to all of us. I fight for clean air and climate action because I lost my mom to lung cancer in 1986.

Peggy Ann B, OH

Make the change toward a healthier environment. The reality is that breathing is becoming more difficult for many older adults and children with asthma because of climate change.

Sonal R. P, CA

I owe it to my children to fight for climate health. With asthma, you wheeze, your chest tightens, you cough and are short of breath.

Sunil K. S, CA

Clean air is the right of every individual. As a specialist in treating childhood asthma, I see first-hand the effects that pollution has on the health of our most vulnerable population - children.

David Tom C, CA

Fighting for a healthy climate. Too many of our patients surviving lung diseases are being sickened by air pollution.

Marc F, CA

Climate action is the best medicine. As an emergency physician, I see the profound effect climate change will have on our lives.

Mary Anne T, CA

Strong clean air leadership will help my patients breathe easier. As a pediatric pulmonary specialist, I support policies that will help improve air quality.

Afif E, CA

Cutting emissions today means healthier children tomorrow. Like air pollution, climate change impacts vulnerable populations the most, including our children.

Shuron A, AK

Sonja D, MA

Stephen T, MO

Stephenie N, TX

Sue B, OH

Sumon S, MS

Susan O, OH

Susan T, NJ

Susanne S, CA

Sylvia B, MA

Tanya B, CA

Tanya J, MT

Taylor F, IL

Taz W, IL

Therese S, MI

Therese S, MI

Thoimas S, CA

Tiamy M, OH

Timothy M, CA

Tina M, CA

Tina M, CA

Todd B, ME

Tom L, NJ

Tom M, IA

tony F, AK

Tony F, NJ

Travis K, IL

Vicki D, PA

Victoria B, CO

Victoria G, CA

Walter S, RI

Winston B, PA

Wynette V, UT

Yvette B, IA

Yvette E, TX

Tammy B,

Tammy B,

As many people have termed it, my diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer was every single mother's worst nightmare and came out of the blue.

Ashely K,

So, my mom has always been the one to take care of family; the impervious one who could never get sick even if she tried...or so we thought. Moms are supposed to be the ones to take care of us, I assumed I would have at least 20 more years before I h

Michael M,

Sandra C,

Jennifer A,

One summer, I had a cough that just wouldn't go away. It seemed to get worse over the course of a month.

MJ

I am 50 years old and have smoked for 38 of those years. Before that my dad smoked in the car, the house, wherever he was.

Kelly C,

Dennis McGorry, Sr. was a healthy, active family physician still working in his 70s and keeping up his decades old habit of 5 a.m visits to the gym every morning. He played golf frequently, traveled and was always attending one of his eight grandkids

Mary H,

In middle school I always got out of breath doing exercise and we thought nothing of it. When I got bronchitis in 10th grade it never got better with medication.

Vivian R,

Jackie L, OH

Jacquelyn W, OH

James B, GA

James F, MA

James S, OH

Jamie B, OK

Jane R, CA

Janie M, IN

Jean G, CA

Jean M, ID

Luz Jeannette L, NJ

Jennifer H, PA

Jennifer W, NY

Jesse Q, CA

Jillian S, FL

Joan W, AZ

Joe P, NJ

John S, CA

john W, CA

Johnell C, IL

Jordan B, UT

Joyce W, NY

Jude S, PA

Julia L, CA

Julia S, AL

K D, CA

Kasandra L. B, CA

Kat Q, MT

Kate B, CO

Kathe M, GA

Kathleen B, NY

Kathleen B, OH

kathleen F, WI

Kathy C, NM

Kay M, VA

Kevin H, OH

Kevin J, NJ

Kitty L, FL

krista S, CO

Krystal S, NY

Krysten G, IL

Laura K, NC

Laura P, TX

Linda S, MD

Linda I, TN

Linda M, ID

Linda P, CO

Lindsey W, IL

Lisa A, CA

Lisa D, MI

Lisa F, MT

Suzan S, OR

I got COVID-19 from my son when we went to visit our first granddaughter after my husband's massive heart attack.

Marie G, CO

I got COVID-19 in April 2020 and continue to struggle with post COVID-19 health conditions.

Adrian N, FL

I have pneumonia brought on by COVID-19. I am a 40-year-old man in great shape. Blood work was perfect a week before. Itching started in chest and lungs then flu like symptoms set in. The flu like symptoms lasted six days then the pneumonia set in.

John B, FL

My wife and I contracted COVID-19 at our class reunion. I got the vaccine and was only mildly sick for a couple days.

Ken T, TN

July 15, for the third time, my wife Deb went to the emergency room complaining about asthma. She was vaccinated for COVID-19, her second shot was March 2021.

Tashona M, MD

My name is Tashona and on February 2,2021 I went into cardiac arrest. My oldest daughter found me in the bedroom unresponsive and called 911. 

Nathan N, TX

I caught COVID-19 in June of 2020 and I was in a medical coma for four weeks and had to be revived twice.

Sharonne L, OH

My nickname as a child was Ms. Lungs. Why you may ask? My voice roared like a lion when I would yell. I also would try to sing, still do on occasion, like Chaka Khan or Aretha Franklin. Those were the good ol' days.

Sarah M, FL

My husband and two sons and I self tested at home and found out we have COVID-19 eight days ago.

Lori B, PA

My sister-in-law Gwen G. was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 58. By 59 she had lost her battle, but not before putting up a great fight.

Cortney B, CO

On January 22, 2021 my mother was admitted to the hospital, while at my sisters house in Florida, with pneumonia and a collapsed lung. 

Tonya J, SC

I just recently (May 13, 2021)  loss my only child to severe asthma. The grief I carry everyday is unexplainable yet I have the renewed strength to type this story to you all.

Anthony M, CA

My COVID-19 story: First and foremost, thank you to my wife Lisa Mendoza for taking care of me.

Shirley T, WI

Hello everyone. My name is Shirley and I was recently diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and I am in complete shock.

Jessie H, TX

I grew up living by a military runway and we were under the flight path. I'd look up when the 747 flew over my head and see the bottom of the plane.

Bobbie B, VA

My dad was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer May 10, 2021, and I remember the heartbreak as I heard those words even though deep down in my gut I already knew he had some type of metastatic disease.

Kolleen P, FL

I was young, healthy and working out at gym working everyday. Then I got COVID-induced double pneumonia in July and I had to stay in the hospital for three months.

Rick H, OH

We have a redevelopment project going on very near our home on the west side of Cleveland, OH.

Kristin C, FL

My two-year-old son just passed away in July from RSV and pneumonia. He had absolutely no symptoms when he fell asleep that night, didn't cough throughout the night, and didn't wake up the next morning.

Michelle H, KS

My name is Michelle Hills, I was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK Positive Lung Cancer in September, 2018.

Karen L, NY

On February 21, 2019 I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer, Stage IV. I was 48 years old at the time. A seizure was my one and only alarm that something was wrong. I am a healthy, active, non-smoker with no family history or other factors t

Sandra P, MI

I am a 72-year old female currently living in government subsidized, multi-family housing in northern Michigan. The no-smoking in multi-family housing law went into effect July 18, 2018, yet the management company refuses to enforce the law in the bu

Melissa G, IA

As I think back on my many years working in health care, and pretty much every day, I have been asked by patients, colleagues, potential employers in job interviews this same question: "What drives you to want to work with patients with lung disease?

Rose B, TN

My grandmother had a massive stroke and had also been diagnosed with lung cancer, and in just six quick months she was gone. Her story is quite sad!

Nancy H, MN

My journey started September of 2014. I was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. My doctor noticed a spot that did not look normal. I set up with an appointment at the Lung Nodule Clinic. The doctor there had me come in every 6 months for a scan.

Rhonda W, PA

In June 2018, I was forced to find a new PCP due to my previous one retiring and his office actually closing. When I found one that was local I made the appointment to be a new patient and get that initial check up.

Kelly L, AZ

I’m a 47 daughter of my mom who lost her battle to NSCLC. I was her caregiver until the end. Though it was the hardest job, I wouldn't change a thing.

Craig D, ME

My brother Kim was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Chemo and radiation did extremely well by him. A second opinion concurred. He succumbed to this disease on 11/7/10.

Courtney P, CT

December 2018 my entire world fell apart. I sat with my father as he was told that he had a tumor in his lung and it was most likely malignant and cancerous. In fact his first oncologist told us, "If you do treatment you will have one to two years at

Laurence K, WI

My doctor urged me to have it done being I had cancer three times before and beat it. So I had it done and sure enough they found a tumor a centimeter big and sure enough it was cancer.

Danel R, PA

My brother passed a week ago today due to stage 3 lung cancer. He was a smoker for years, he was 51. Please if you smoke get a check-up yearly. He did not.

Maria F, MD

The doctor said, “You have Stage 2 lung cancer.” I thought for sure that I didn’t hear him correctly – lung cancer? After all, it was April Fools’ Day so this must be a cruel joke.

Lynn N, GA

Three years ago I fell and had to go to the hospital. I had a chest X-ray to check for broken ribs. There were none. But they found a carcinoid tumor on the middle lobe of my right lung. I had surgery to remove the entire middle lobe of my lung.

Mary T, FL

Around mid-April 2019, I saw a poster for a free low-dose CT scan for smokers. I thought to myself, "Hmm, I should get one of those - I smoked for over 40 years." So, I wrote down the phone number and called to schedule a scan couple of days later.

Joyce K, FL

I had smoked for over 40 years. My friend suggested that I get the scan. I had had the scan before and it showed nothing so I figured I would go ahead and get the scan. The scanned revealed a stage 1A 2 spot on my lung.

Dawn D, FL

I am a native of Mississippi but have lived in South Florida for close to 20 years. I am married to John D’Onofrio and we have two children. Isabel is 14 and Jackson is 11. I am passionate about the ALA for many reasons. Sadly, I have seen up close a

Stacey N, FL

Today would have been my mother's 65th birthday and retirement celebration after almost 45 years in the workforce. My mother never smoked. I always share this with people to make them aware that anyone can get lung cancer. I'm ashamed that I didn't k

Janis T, MD

Jareen S, CA

Jaye S, CA

Jean R, IA

John H, PA

John H, VA

Joseph L, IL

Judy P, AK

Judy F, CA

Judy M, OH

Julie F, PA

Karen A, OR

Wanda M, WI

Cheryl H, MI

What are the chances that one person has two parents that are afflicted with lung cancer? Well, that's my story...I was only 22 years old when my dad was diagnosed.

Alan P, PA

A H, WA

I have bronchiectasis, with frequent flareups requiring antibiotics. I also have asthma that gets set off when I am sick and when I am around chemicals, campfires and wildfire smoke.

Shayna R, WA

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was in my mid-20s. Every year I would get this horrible cough for months and there weren't any real answers as to why.

Amy B, MI

This will be my 6th year participating in this amazing event. 

Donna F, NY

My husband, Mo, was very fortunate that seven years ago his primary care doctor was aware of the screening for lung cancer for high-risk individuals.

Lauren B, WA

I decided to start offering the Freedom from Smoking program at my organization because it fit so naturally into our Community Education program.

Beth S, MO

On 4-22-22, my grandson was born and rushed to the NICU with respiratory distress syndrome.

Alicia G, NY

On 9/8/22, pulmonary fibrosis claimed the life of my 23-year-old son, Gavin, who had received a diagnosis in early 2020.

Kolleen P, FL

I was 52 when diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis due to the COVID-19 virus destroying my lungs.

Linda R, SC

Linda R, SC

Linda S, GA

Linda W, IL

Lori P, MA

Mary K, VA

Mary M, MO

Mary M, MT

Masheka A, VA

Nancy J, MA

Nelson B, AL

JaVonne H, IL

I received a phone call while on vacation that my brother had been hospitalized because his leg gave away. He could no longer walk on that leg.

Sandra H,

I have had 2 close friends die from emphysema and one from lung cancer. I have asthma from bronchitis and have to "inhale" before any exercise. I have never smoked!

Tiffany C,

I have asthma and my husband's grandfather passed away from lung cancer. We really appreciate all of the work that the LUNG FORCE is doing!

Lynne G,

I lost my mom to small cell lung cancer last year. LUNG FORCE Walk day 2015 in Louisville would have been her 83rd birthday.

Pearl P,

I have 2 grandchildren with asthma, my mother has COPD, my father died due to lung cancer. I participated in the LUNG FORCE Walk because of the above reasons. Also, I have a co-worker who is currently fighting lung cancer. I take care of residents wh

Amanda H,

My mom battled COPD for 14 years before being diagnosed with lung cancer. It was a long hard road for her as well as her family members. We walk in the LUNG FORCE Walk in her memory and continue her fight for awareness.

Vanessa G,

I've lost 4 family members to lung cancer. It was hard to watch someone I love and look up to battle it.

Elaine S,

My three kids and I know what it feels like to struggle to breathe. We all have asthma. We don't like to take air for granted. My uncle was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We have a new reason to raise awareness.

Ron D,

My wife was diagnosed lung cancer, never was a smoker. 2009 diagnosis and I took care of her until the end. Together 40 years.

Chris B,

Even before Mom told me about being diagnosed with emphysema, things had been different for quite some time. She and dad had not made as many recent trips to see the family and I knew something was not right. She began talking about some pain she had

Linda R,

Lung cancer affected my life and the life of my daughter and family, because my mom died of it. She was a life-long smoker until the last ten years of her life, but I still don't know if smoking really was the cause of her death, because she also liv

Anastasia E,

Through secondhand smoking, I got chronic asthma. All 3 kids had numerous mysterious ear bleeds, which were attributed to secondhand smoking later on. My dad finally quit. But, he coughed up blood on our white kitchen sink one night. Months later, he

Debbie B, FL

Debbie F, CA

Janet R, AZ

Janet V, NH

Kathleen K, TX

Kathy B, TX

Paula C, PA

Peg L, CA

Shireen C, MI

Shondon W, NC

Terry P, DE

Gregory S,

Our township allows leaf burning throughout the year, causing very unhealthy air especially for those with asthma, COPD or other sensitivities.

Charlie H, ME

I ride because my dad unfortunately died at the age of 39 of lung cancer. So, I do it to honor him and help those who need it.

Francine K, FL

Mrs. Lakia Shavon L, CT

Kara H, AL

I was diagnosed about 3 months ago with stage 4 adenocarcinoma (a non-small cell lung cancer). I am a 34 year old non-smoking woman. I led a very healthy lifestyle prior to this.

Donna M,

In 2008 I had a cold that wouldn't go away. That's not like me; I'm never really sick. I had a doctor appointment for the following Monday, just a check-up, when I got there and told him about my cold he listened to my lungs and immediately sent me f

Jen H,

I have non-small cell lung cancer since February of 2014. I was 67 years old then.

Phil L,

I always thought of myself as a strong person, I served in the Marines for 20 years and I believed I could overcome most anything life threw at me. I was wrong.

Sue Rusch S,

I have been through standard treatment for 2 1/2 years, including radiation and chemo. I was on Opdivo for 6 months, but it didn't work! It landed me in the hospital with a collapsed lung in February 2016! YIKES!

Julie R,

My mother was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in October 2014 at the age of 61 years old. She was otherwise healthy and was a non-smoker so the diagnosis came as a bit of a shock to our family.

Steve C,

Thirteen years ago I watched my mother die a very unpleasant death from lung cancer. A year later I was in the E.R. twice with asthma and have allergies but am doing much better since the ALA office in Colonie New York gave me the name of a local ast

June V,

My husband and I were given a diagnosis of my having lung cancer last week, although I'd been having health issues since July that were lung-related. I'm having a couple of biopsies tomorrow on a rib and lymph nodes as it seems to have shown up on th

Dennis O,

Being diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer in December, 2011, I thought I was given a death sentence.

Melanie M,

Days before my 50th birthday in August 2014, I went to work feeling ill, but tried to push through it. My co-workers insisted I go to the ER as I did not look well. Taking their advice, a day at the ER came with a diagnosis that I may have pneumonia.

Sally R,

I was 52 years old and woke up with an eye problem called Iritis. Thank goodness for the doctors at the Cincinnati Eye Institute; within a few weeks, I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. I would be dead if not for the persistence of the docto

Stephanie G,

My grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer at 83, 40 years after she stopped smoking.

Angela L,

My name is Angela Lee (52 years old) and I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in July, 2015. I had little to no symptoms and was very active, playing sports and going to the gym every other day when I was diagnosed.

Michael H,

We all become involved with organizations like the American Lung Association for a variety of reasons. Everyone has a story to tell. I would like to take a few minutes and share my story with you as to why I got involved.

Rian V,

My struggle started when I had my first asthmatic episode at thirteen months old.

Jacqueline O,

In June of 2013 my family lost our Aunt Toni to lung cancer. Than in June of 2015 we lost our grandmother, also to lung cancer. And once again in October of 2015 we lost our father to none other than lung cancer.

Robin B,

My mom was hospitalized with severe blood clots in her neck and arm. In the process of finding the cause, the doctors found a small nodule on her lungs.

Temoore R,

May 18th of last year was the day that I lost my father. It was the day that I lost my role model, the person that taught me everything I knew. I eventually realized that he was never coming back. My family had been changed forever.

Lisa W,

My beautiful, beautiful mom and best friend lost her battle in June of 2013. She was first diagnosed with lung cancer several years prior. She was always a heavy smoker - even having a cigarette while walking in to have the upper lobe of her lung rem

Monique M,

My story starts with the shocking news that my mother, Dotty, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer on July 25, 2016. It had already spread to her bones, liver, and kidney. I had just seen my mother the weekend of June 1, 2016 doing the regular shop

Kathy S,

My family has been devastated by lung cancer. I cared for two brothers as they fought lung cancer, a battle they both lost.

Dawn L,

In 2013, my Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. Unfortunately, it was caught at a very late stage, but even so, my sister and I stood up to lung cancer, and we let Mom know that she was not fighting this alone.

Sharon E,

I diagnosed February of 2006 Stage 3A Squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer. I was 43 years of age with three children. And I was terrified.

Susan L,

I just heard a LUNG FORCE representative speak on Line One Your Health Connection, a medical related radio program on our local public radio station. She mentioned that when someone reports that they have been diagnosed with lung cancer they are ofte

Sandra H,

Hi, my name is Sandy Helmin-Clazmer. My story dates back to 1987. I was teaching in Racine, Wisconsin and was finishing my last semester of grad school. During that time, I was plagued with a dry chronic cough and frequent bouts of laryngitis.

Sandra L, MA

On August 1, 2008 I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer that had already metastasized to the chest lymph nodes. Stage 3B at this time. I had a right upper lobectomy of the lung, IV chemotherapy, radiation then more IV chemotherapy.

Cristina C, RI

I am a 40-year-old lung cancer survivor! I had been experiencing an occasional but annoying cough for a few months which I kept putting off as "post nasal drip". I had my yearly physical scheduled for November 2017, at which time I mentioned this cou

Jim M, TX

Hello my name is Jim Mcdonald, I'm 60 and along with my wife we live in Fort Worth, TX. I was diagnosed with UIP on biopsy which related to IPF at the pulmonologist office in 2014. My wife Diana has been by my side and is my biggest supporter since w

Renee M, IL

Several years ago I remember my cousin texting me and telling me her mom had lung cancer. The next time I saw my aunt she was on constant oxygen.

Leah F, PA

American Lung Association: I am a daughter, sister, girlfriend, friend, runner, and HERO.

Joshua B,

Shantel V, NY

I joined the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative in honor of my grandmother, Doris, who passed away from lung cancer at the age of 79. She was the light of my life and a living example of love.

Katie B, TN

I wrote a book about my cancer journey it is a memoir of a most difficult time in my life. After the failure of my business and getting in a car accident, I found myself with a diagnosis of lung cancer that had spread in the form of brain tumors.

Debbie A, MI

I was diagnosed first in December 2009. I was staged as 3b, my tumor was large, in my right lung in all three lobes. The tumor was near my esophagus and growing towards my heart. Because at the time the five-year survival rate was under 10%, I chose

Betsy S, PA

I've known of the American Lung Association since I was a kid. My parents, particularly my mother, were big believers in philanthropy and the American Lung Association was one of the causes they supported.

Miriam J, NY

March 2016, I was 61 years old and diagnosed with cancer; female; never-smoker. A large lesion was found in my lumbar spine during a spinal MRI for an unrelated injury. After a spinal biopsy and CT scan of the chest and abdomen I was diagnosed with n

Julie H, AK

I was raised in a two-smoking parent household. Both my mom and dad smoked the entire time I was growing up. In 1999, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was living in Alaska, married, with two young daughters.

Le Ann F, NJ

I am both shocked and yet, I shouldn't be. I have stage 4 lung cancer. I am the third non-smoker in my family to have the same diagnosis-my 42 year old sister, who passed away in 1999 and my 83 year old father (83 going on 70 and extremely healthy) p

Hailey R, IL

On November 1, 2017 my mom was diagnosed with stage 3A lung cancer. The very first thought that went through my mind was, "Oh my gosh, what if she can't make it to my wedding." Now I know that is extremely selfish, but as a little girl you always dre

Brandi S, PA

My grandpa suffered from COPD in his later years of life. It was difficult watching as a child and going to the many hospital visits. It brought my mom and I closer though and we remember him fondly through funny memories and participating in events

Monica S, TX

My grandmother was a nonsmoker who was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer in May 2017. It was disheartening to hear when she was trying to get a check up on her pneumonia, which had persisted for several weeks.

Kennydene T, HI

How I was diagnosis with lung cancer was going into to the ER at Kapiolani Women and Children Hospital feeling sick, running tests and the results came back with one kidney stone.

Patricia Y, FL

My name is Pat I am writing this story in behalf of my in-laws, who both suffered from smoke related illnesses, even though they started smoking before warnings were put on packs of cigarettes. They lost years off there lives having COPD, CHF, lung c

Teresa H, CO

I became very ill in September of 2014. I got Pneumonia and after many tests I found out I had small cell lung cancer. Very scary information. I cried then I started taking steps to get better.

Susan J, GA

In the spring of 2015 I got a call from my brother, Steve, that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Thus began a journey none of us wants to take.

Catherine Sonquist F, CA

Fighting climate change is crucial primary care medicine. Climate health is crucial for public health. Science continues to demonstrate that we must join together with the rest of the world to slow climate change.

Bruce B, CA

We must act decisively, and now. The food patients eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe are all crucial for their well-being.

Linda R,

We know what we need to do to chart a new course to prevent catastrophic climate change: stop burning coal, oil, and gas, as quickly as possible. But time is short.

David P, CA

The patient - our planet - has a fever. In addition to increased temperatures, the acid level in the oceans has increased 0.15 units in the last 100 years.

Robert M. G, CA

We must act urgently to halt global warming. We need to act urgently to halt the worsening course of global warming.

Bruce K, WI

Climate Change is a Health Emergency: One of the biggest threats to children’s health is destabilization of Earth’s climate.

Carol Z, TN

My patients bear a greater burden from the health harms of climate change and air pollution. Climate change and air pollution disproportionately impact my patients.

Ying , TN

Climate change harms health.

John S. Y, AK

Preserve and protect our clean air. We all depend upon the air we breathe for life.

Christine A. H, TN

I strongly urge a united front on climate change. Climate change poses serious threats to the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

David H, CT

Climate change is a public health emergency. Climate change is a public health emergency, and poses a dire threat to lung health.

Mallory H, TN

Let’s all work to promote clean air. It is my role as an educator and respiratory practitioner to teach students and patients about the importance of monitoring the air quality reports.

Jessie W, OR

We must unite together to protect our patients. As I walk among the towering trees, listening quietly, breathing deep the moist air, I am reminded of the interconnected web of life.

Bernadette Mae , NV

We are all in this together. Human health is linked to the environment. As a nurse epidemiologist, I see the mounting evidence of the association between air pollution, accelerated climate change, and adverse health effects.

Juanita M, IL

We must support action on climate change to protect Latino community.

Amanda M, CA

The climate crisis is a health crisis, specifically for our kids. The climate crisis is here and it is harming our health and the health of our children.

Ashley E. M, CA

Clean air policies are healthy climate policies. As a primary care doctor, I have taken an oath to prevent sickness and to protect human health and safety.

Joan P,

I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy about 10 years ago - and another name for this heart/lung disease is Congestive Heart Failure. Currently, during the COVID- 19 outbreak, I have had mild symptoms which subsided after about 2 days.

Evelyn P, MA

I have been going through a difficult time, a time of trials, grief, despair and sadness. The coronavirus is still raging and even spiking in some states.

Charlotte T, MD

I am a coronavirus survivor. Thank you Lord.

Dorothy H, NJ

My story is about the coronavirus. I do not know how or where to get testing here in Monmouth County, NJ.

Shanna J, IL

In November, 2020 my partner and I elected to skip my family's Thanksgiving celebration due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. My mom was sad, but said she understood. 

Kathleen S, WI

On May 22, Local 494 will sponsor a team to climb the steps, safely outdoors, at Milwaukee’s American Family Field. This event is a fundraiser to support the American Lung Association.

Brennah R, OR

I'm Brennah and I am a current Oregon Kid Governor Cabinet member. My platform is Air Pollution.

Diane G, RI

In April 2010, my husband Bob was diagnosed with stage for non-small cell lung cancer.

Debra C, TX

I was diagnosed with COPD over 10 years ago. Now in 2021 my symptoms have gotten worse, as my doctor said they would.

Dianna L, IN

This is about my severe asthma and moderate COPD. Next month I will have my annual breathing test and let the pulmonologist tell me what stage I am in. I haven't smoked cigarettes in 10 years!

Shannon P, TX

I had two confirmed mild cases of COVID-19 over a six month (6/5/20 and 12/26/21) period. Two weeks after I recovered from the first episode I began having constant shortness of breath, dry cough and chest tightness.

James A, NY

Air quality has made it hard to breathe and so we all must do something to change it so that asthma and all lung problems can be a thing of the past.

Kat S, CA

My father died of lung cancer in 2019. Recently I was at an appointment with my cardiologist, who also treated my father while he was alive.

Caliel C, OH

I have had COVID-19 since June 14. I’m currently in the hospital with pneumonia.

Cathy B,

"You have Stage 3 lung cancer." When I heard my diagnosis four and a half years ago, I immediately remembered my mother and her death from lung cancer 22 years ago. She died two weeks after her diagnosis while I remain cancer-free almost five years l

Janet M,

I have been diagnosed with cancer twice. The first time was for breast cancer in 2009. The second time was for lung cancer in 2013 after a routine exam. I had surgery shortly after my diagnosis and am currently in remission! Along with being a lung c

Nancy V,

In 2009, after coughing uncontrollably for years, I started to develop back pain and was coughing up blood. I brought myself to the hospital where, after several tests, I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. In complete disbelief, I immedia

Adam K,

After spending 39 days on the island of Fiji competing in, and winning, Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X in 2016, I returned home to be with my mother, Susie, who had been battling stage 4 lung cancer. Just one hour after I returned home, my mom lost

Deborah C,

Rebecca R,

I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in June of 2015. I had lost my own mother to metastatic lung cancer in 1986.

EvaMarie M,

It was Ash Wednesday and I was picking up pizza and then going to church to get ashes when my phone rang. It was my mom.

Maureen A,

When my sister was 30 years old, she made an appointment with her general practitioner, suspecting she had a case of bronchitis. Her doctor was concerned, and ordered an x-ray and later a biopsy of her lung.

Angela O,

Before May 2014, I had never been affected by lung cancer. I didn't know anyone who had been diagnosed with it and I certainly didn't know anyone who had died from it. All of that has changed in such a profound and dramatic way.

Susan B,

In November 2015 I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Like many, the diagnosis was unexpected and prompted an array of responses that ranged from sadness, complete confusion and absolute uncertainty.

Roberta S,

Jill F,

My story is a bit complicated, and started long before I was diagnosed with lung cancer, but in the interest of time I will keep it short.

Rhianna M,

December 3, 2015; the Day my life forever changed. My mother was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in December of 2014. She was being treated by Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for other health concerns when we were informed of a suspicious nod

Maria L,

I am a 49 years old and a two time breast cancer survivor. In April 2017 my pet scan revealed a nodule in my left upper lobe.

Alice M, CA

Helene D,

My friend Gayle was a strong, energetic, in control woman who didn't take nonsense from anyone and was struck by lung cancer and passed three months later.

Joy P,

I live with a chronic lung disease called asthma. I have been an asthmatic my entire life but asthma does not define me; it is just something that I live with. Live being the key word.

Kim O,

My story began in March of 2016. Durning routine physical, suspicion led to an immediate mammogram, ultrasound and a three-dimensional mammogram. My cancer presented as breast cancer initially. A second opinion then suggested lung cancer and/or both.

Carol T, LA

My name is Carol Taylor. In October 1979 my dad lost his battle with lung cancer. As a young woman, I was in a place in my life where I did not realize what he was going through as he fought this battle. I had never seen anyone go through lung cancer

Rachael M, MN

My name is Rachael. I define myself by being a strong mother, wife, military service member and career woman. I was a former collegiate and national team athlete who has never smoked or done a drug in my life.

Wendi L, MS

I am parent-less now thanks to lung cancer. I am a registered nurse and I couldn't keep them alive. My father died four years ago at the age of 67 of Small Cell Carcinoma of the lungs.

Julie C, IL

My mom, Mary, was diagnosed with Stage IV SCLC right after my wedding. She selflessly didn't tell me about it until I got back from my honeymoon in order to ensure I went.

Donald B, FL

My wife went in hospital to be treated for pneumonia and found out it was stage 4 lung cancer. She had a tube put in her chest for drainage and was sent home.

Kathleen C, TX

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Adenocarcinoma of the lung on 2/21/2011 after a bout with pneumonia. The diagnosis came as quite a shock to me as a non-smoker.

Kathleen R, IN

My Mother, Alexis, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2003. She died one day after her 62nd birthday. In the beginning our family researched everything we could on the subject.

Lisa S, OH

My story is about my Aunt Nancy. She was diagnosed in March of 2008 at the age of 46. She had never smoked a cigarette a day in her life.

Fancy T, CA

My experience with lung cancer is a sad one. My mother died almost 4 years ago on January 3, 2010. She was only 56 years old. She had been a smoker since she was a teen.

Cara M, OH

I'm an avid cyclist. Last autumn, my husband and I moved to a place that was at the top of a small hill. I rode my bike through most of the fall and winter months, and soon it got easier and easier to bike up the hill. I was getting stronger.

Leslie E, CT

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010. I had a lobectomy done by an arthroscopic procedure performed by a brilliant doctor.

Ashley B, TX

Victoria, 49, found out in mid-July of this year that she had stage four lung cancer. She fought hard to the end.

Charlie J, GA

I had melanoma in 2002. A follow-up x-ray for skin cancer found spot on lung. I had a lobectomy in 2005.

Rose W, KY

In January 2013, at the age of 52, I was diagnosed with stage 2b lung cancer. I was terrified.

Yolanda B, NY

My mother Eartha "Mae", went to the hospital for what we thought was pneumonia, but after return visits to the emergency room and many more tests, it was confirmed lung cancer.

Mark T, CA

http://www.examiner.com/article/extreme-athlete-overcomes-cancer-surgery-and-climbs-willis-tower-four-days-later?cid=db_articles

Nicole R, NV

It has been about a year since that life changing day I got my diagnosis of stage 3b small cell lung cancer.

Julie C, CA

Julia was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer at the age of 26. She passed away just over a year later...

JoAnne J, NJ

My husband Larry was officially diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at the age of 44 on August 12, 2003. Larry’s ordeal started in June when he thought he broke his little toe.

Juanita B, WI

What a journey. I found lumps around my collar bone in 2009. The doctor wasn't too concerned, but still took a CT scan to keep an eye on it. In March 2010 I lost my husband to a lifestyle death.

Michelle L, NH

I have lost 5 family members to lung cancer, including both parents. My father was the most recent, losing his battle in 2012. He had not smoked for 15 years. It was a total shock.

Joan L, NJ

I started with some back pain between my shoulder blades and I was getting bronchitis almost every month. One day I had some chest pain and went to the emergency room where I was admitted and had a cardiac catheter, which was normal.

Donna G, MD

Robert was a good man! A husband, father, co-worker, neighbor and he was only 51 years old when he died. He never smoked. He battled bravely for 15 months.

Elizabeth P, MA

My Grandmother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in September 2012. She was gone six weeks later. She passed away two days before Thanksgiving.

Cindy B, AL

I lost my precious Mama, Hazel, who was also my friend. She looked much younger than her years. She was diagnosed with lung cancer after 25 years of being uterine cancer free.

Robyn C, OK

My husband found out he had lung cancer with a chest x-ray. I want people facing lung cancer to get treatment as soon as possible.

Marybeth H, SC

My husband, Eric, was diagnosed at 43 years old with non-smoking Alk positive stage IV lung cancer in March 2012. We had been married almost 5 years and had a 4 year old son and a six month old son.

Lyvonne L, TN

My dad had been having some weak spells and the doctors said it was nothing. In October of 2002, he had gall bladder surgery and the doctor told us it was cancer.

Jessica R, PA

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. See you Friday." These were the last words my Dad ever said to me. I remember that Sunday phone call and the following week like it was yesterday.

Alvy K, TX

In his efforts to determine why I was experiencing "dizzy" spells, my neurologist ordered x-rays

Danielle S, ND

We found out that Grandma had lung cancer stage 4 in Feb. 2013. I was devastated and knew she wouldn't have long with us.

Sherry G, ME

My story is a divine intervention about a young woman and mother of three children ages: 22, 17 and 2 and a wife to a wonderful caregiver.

Lisa K, OH

Logan V, DE

Loraine M, OH

Lorraine M, MA

Lorrene F, OR

Lou J, SC

Louise V, AZ

Lucas R, CA

Lucia M, HI

Lydia R, CA

Lynn F, FL

Lynn H, CA

Madalyn M, DC

Margaret W, NY

Marieliz G, IL

Marilee F, IL

marina W, CA

Martha R, CT

Mary Grace M, AL

Mary T, PA

Matt B, PA

Matt B, PA

Tracy F, NE

Born in small-town Nebraska in 1941, my father began smoking cigarettes when he was a young adult. Our family photo albums are full of pictures showing my dad holding a cigarette or an ashtray strategically placed on the kitchen table nearby.

Jacy M, MS

My name is Jacy Miller from Madison, Mississippi. I have stage 4 adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer. It is not curable according to the doctors. On December 16, 2018, I woke up with a pain on my side like a pulled muscle.

John F, MD

My name's John and I quit smoking in 2007. I had smoked a pack a day for almost 30 years up to that point. In early 2019, my wife and I read an article about low-dose CT scanning. Knowing first hand from experiences with relatives how horrible cancer

Pamela H, CT

The first thing I asked my new PCP was to order this scan. I don't know how I knew about it, but at long last there was a screening test that was approved by insurance. I was a heavy smoker for many years and had quit 11 years before.

Elsie "Gaylene" G, ID

As a child I was sick a lot and was diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis with bronchial pneumonia over and over again. I think I may have been destined to have lung cancer no matter what I did because of this. I developed a cough in late 2016 that con

gayne B, CA

Jacquelyn B, OR

I went to my regular physician for my annual check up. My weight was fine with no loss or gain, no hypertension, blood pressure excellent, heart rate well within normal limits. I was feeling great! My husband and I exercised daily, walking up and dow

Linda P, PA

My sister-in-law was screened, they detected cancer. They removed it and she did not have to have any radiation or chemo, just check in every year. I had my first scan, they are watching a spot.

Barbara T, MO

It has been two years, and I have just had my third CAT scan. Two years ago they found a nodule in my left lung so now I have scans every 6 months. I have my next one this coming December 2019.

Gregory M, MT

In 2018, I celebrated turning 70 and retirement by setting several challenges for myself including running my first half-marathon in July and finishing building a sailboat and getting it on the water in October. 

Don G, CT

In April 2016, I had my first low dose CT scan. My primary care doctor thought they saw something. A month later I had my first PET scan. Pulmonologist confirmed it was lung cancer, stage 1.

Susan C, VT

My story is a little different. I had JRA as a toddler which maimed both hips, so at 35 I had my first hip replacements. Twelve years later I had to have my left one replaced.

Phyllis S, NY

I was given a CAT scan on all my organs by a new doctor. I had lost my sense of smell so a brain scan was the reason this was ordered by my doctor. Because of these scans my lung cancer was found.

Loretta W, NC

I was a 45 year smoker. It was common for me to have Bronchitis every six months or so. One episode lasted six months. I already had CT scans that showed nodules in my left lung.

Sean Keoni C, HI

My mother was first diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma back in late 2013. Although she had been a smoker, she had quit about five years prior to her diagnosis. After a few appointments with an Oncologist, it was determined that she would have surgery to r

Maya D,

Gregory M,

Romy L,

Neelu T,

Jeanne M,

Rosalind B,

Jennifer M,

Rodney T,

My father was diagnosed with lung cancer, He quit smoking in 1955. He was experiencing chest pain so he went to the doctor who ordered X-rays and CAT scans.

Tracey E,

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer in May of 2015 just 5 months before my wedding.

Anne F,

My family has a long history of heart disease, so I always expected that would be my health problem to deal with. Sometimes life doesn't give you what you're expecting. I certainly never expected to get lung cancer.

Erica A,

"Ok, it's my turn." That's what ran through my head the moment the doctor gently told me its most likely lung cancer.

Angela E,

In September 2014 my Mom became ill, she would go to the doctor and be told it was a really bad cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. One morning, my mom started coughing up blood, and I instantly new we were dealing with something else.

Daphne R,

My name is Daphne. I grew up on the small island of Aunu'u, American Samoa. I remember being a young teenager when my Mom, Meleke, developed an on-going cough. My Mom visited the doctor on island often to check on her cough. They either told her it w

Christina M,

My mother, Donna, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on August 23, 2013. The lung cancer had already metastasized to bone cancer. Only 5-1/2 short weeks later, my mom passed away on October 1, 2013 at only 67 years old. The bone cancer was diagno

Jeanne B,

March 2015 I woke up with intense pain in my stomach. I rushed to the hospital where I had my gall bladder removed. The doctor gave me my X-rays and told me to see my primary doctor right away. There were two nodules on my right lung.

Harvey R,

I was told back in April of last year that I had stage 4 small cell lung cancer.

Angela N,

My sister, Tracy Ann was diagnosed with lung cancer on June 17, 2016. She passed away 6 months to the day of her diagnosis on December 17, 2016. What I don't understand about her diagnosis is, why did it take so long to get an MRI to diagnoses the di

Keisha S,

In October 2015 my mother was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer right after her 61st birthday.

Peter W,

My wife Helen and I always "clicked" throughout our 30 years of marriage. She was the love of my life and my very best friend. Together, we have two children. Helen was diagnosed with non-smoker's lung cancer on June 12th, 2013.

Jennifer J,

My story is about my aunt Helen. She was misdiagnosed at first with stage 1 lung cancer and a month later was told it was stage 4.

Maureen W,

Hi, my name is Maureen and I am the face of a lung cancer survivor!

Sophia H,

We never know when our life could end or when everything could just come crashing down and our whole existence is over. We always think we have time. We think we have 80 years on this earth but that is not always the case.

Victoria H,

Cathy Warden-Daniels and Victoria Hunter are local business owners and sisters. The Lung Force cause is very dear to their hearts. They believe early detection would have helped warn their family five years ago.

Lisa L,

I was a 46-year-old woman with a lot of life to live. An IT Technician by trade, it was my nature to fix things.

Lonny Q,

I grew up on a small farm in rural northern North Dakota, graduated from high school and joined the Army. I served my country, received honorable discharge, and returned back to North Dakota. I married my wife Lana, and together we had a daughter and

Laurie Z,

Although we have not had first-hand experience with this disease, a college classmate was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer less than five years after graduation, and died very quickly after his diagnosis, leaving his wife a widow at 23.

Jan G,

My dad was a lifelong pipe smoker, and died from lung cancer Dec. 15, 1988. Other than that, he had always been very healthy.

Pamela B,

My story begins with a doctor visit thinking I had the flu. I had been sick for over a month and could not seem to shake it. When they called me in for an X-ray consultation and she told me to bring someone with me...I knew that something was terribl

Eunice R,

On June 6,2016 I had a routine mammogram since there is a big history of breast cancer in my family; mother, sister and niece. I am pretty faithful at having a mammogram done every year.

Heather P,

Losing my mother to lung cancer has been the most difficult thing I've ever experienced in my life. Born with a cleft lip and palate, my mom was there for me and took care of me after every surgery. Being an only child brought us even closer. She was

Beth M,

Beth's story really begins with her mother. In 1981, Beth's mother Rita, found out she had cancer quite by accident. Rita had fallen and thought that she may have broken a rib.

Dorothy S,

My Mom, Franky, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her liver in the spring of 2014. The day we learned her prognosis was 18 months changed our lives forever.

Jim W, OH

It was sometime in early 2016 when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Oddly I don’t remember the exact date. Early that year, while getting tests for a separate health issue my doctors noticed spots in my lungs and referred me to a pulmonologist.

Judy R, IA

I have pulmonary fibrosis. I first became aware of a problem when I was 22 -years-old. I woke up one morning with horrible pain in my upper back.

Jennifer S, PA

My neighbors burn straight coal in their wood burners, my mom lives next door and has COPD. 

Cheryl C, IL

On June 28, 2020 after a routine CT with contrast I was notified that I had Stage III lung cancer. My world came crashing down once again.

Michelle M, NY

My name is Michelle McMahon and I am a lung cancer survivor. 

Cristina M, MA

Hi, my name is Cristina Menezes and my story is about my sweet dad, Juan Rodrigues. 

Shai G, CA

My mom had COPD, asthma, MS, and muscle issues at the early age of her early thirties.

Anne W, NH

In February, 2021, I had a routine chest X-ray before my scheduled spinal fusion surgery. It showed a mass and a CT confirmed non-small cell lung cancer. A brain MRI confirmed that there were also spots on my brain.

Tripp A, TX

Me and a couple other fourth grade students are creating a presentation and board game against smoking we want to let people know how much smoking can affect your life ranging from health to climate change.

Elinore S, NY

My cancer (squamos cell) was discovered by a routine X-ray on December 6, 1983. I consequently went through surgery four days later.

Geri D, PA

I was scheduled for a lung screening that was cancelled in Spring 2020 because of COVID-19.

Theresa C, MA

I had IPF in 2017. I had to have lots of tests in 2018. I was then placed on the transplant list for 13 months.

Laurie S, CA

I had been a smoker for 30 years, a non-smoker for 20 years, and was always aware that lung cancer was still a possibility.

Sharon W, NM

In 2018 at my yearly visit to my doctor it was suggested to me that I get a chest X-ray since I had been a smoker for a long time.

Dian O, CT

Hi! My name is Dian and I am a lung cancer survivor thanks to a low-dose CT scan.

Wendy S, OK

Nine years have passed since my sister and best friend, Nikki, passed away from metastasized lung cancer. She was diagnosed with Carcinosarcoma, so rare that MD Anderson did not have a team for this type of cancer.

Edward W, OK

I thank God for the opportunity to share my story. In July 2020, a CT-SCAN revealed a nodule on the upper right lobe of my lung. The scan was a follow-up to squamous cell tonsillar cancer treated with radiation therapy in 2017.

Earnestine B, MO

Broken….In many ways this word describes how I feel about myself.  I was diagnosed with Scleroderma 20 years ago,

Deborah S, GA

I thought I was healthy.

Steven S, MN

In the fall of 2019, while we were cleaning out her parent’s house to get it ready to sell, Joan had developed a dry cough.

Jennifer K, WI

Cancer - the one word you never want to hear. That one word that does not discriminate no matter who you are. 

Jennifer M, NV

In Nevada, where my boyfriend and I live, we don't have as many non-smoking rights as some other states, and people of course are allowed to smoke in casinos, and some multi-unit condos.

Neetu B, IN

My father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis on April 19, 2021.

Carla P, TX

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018, just two months after I gave up cigarettes for good. 

Joan Y, CT

My story starts as a young adult (I'm 64 right now). I was spray painter for 25 years and was exposed to many carcinogens. I also smoked cigarettes but quit after I had my only child. 

Joann L, NY

I have both asthma and COPD. I worked as a nurse and a few other her job types, my own business. I

Denise P, PA

Afraid for my sister. My best friend, my first playmate. Today my sister was told she had lung cancer. I want to be strong and keep saying we will beat this and inside I am screaming. Our birthdays are a year and day apart. I want someone to say "it'

Marta U, CT

My name is Marta and this August hopefully I will celebrate my 10-year cancer free anniversary. I am a stage 1 lung cancer survivor: my lung cancer was found by accident. During a routine physical my doctor advised me that I had elevated cholesterol

Marlena T, MA

My mother suffered from COPD for the past 16 years. It slowly stole her independence. First, she got winded walking long distances, then she started having trouble at work, then she was no longer able to work at all.

Cindy W, CT

I am 59 years old and a lung cancer survivor. First, a little history. I started smoking cigarettes as a teenager at the age of 14. I smoked steadily for the next 18 years and finally quit cold turkey in 1991.

Kendra P, NC

Starting smoking young, I was never a heavy smoker due to budget. I then was fortunate to gain employment with a major cigarette company. The company was fabulous to the employees including providing us with free cigarettes and the ability to smoke i

Carolyn C, TX

My son was recently diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. Apparently he has had it for about four years. He is 59 years old and appears to be the picture of health. His family and I were concerned about his cough and he saw a pulmonary doctor. Apparentl

Sherri R, NY

My father started smoking at age 17. During that time, growing up in Jamaica, he was viewed as a man. This was also decades before the dangers of smoking was advertised to the public.

Betty D, PA

My journey began on Feb. 7, 2018. Went to work. Not feeling good came home and slept for four hours. Which is not like me. My friend took me to urgent care where they could find no vitals on me.

Catherine W, OH

If you are looking for a happy ending...do not read this story about my hero, my daughter, Tiffany.

Sarah M, MT

Carla G, IN

In January, 2014, I decided to have a scan, as my children's father was dying of lung cancer and I was an ex-smoker, for nine years at the time. The scan was only $49 here at IU Ball Memorial and was like any other ct scan, quick and painless. A smal

Russell W, AL

At the age of 10 I was diagnosed with asthma. At 36 I had a stroke. The paramedics came and visited me in hospital after I had my stroke as they didn't believe I had survived. After rebuilding my life after the stroke, I was hit with yet another heal

Donna C, NC

Beginning of August 2017, I was having trouble catching my breath. It was a Friday night at work. After work I went to Urgent Care. They took a chest x-ray. No pneumonia, but called me Monday after radiologist looked at x-ray.

Sandy B, TN

I never thought I would be telling you this story about my life. It was in April of 2017 I went to the doctor for a return check up. I had been having a cough that would not go away. Doctor said it was allergies.

Linda W, MT

Kristy Q, IN

I was diagnosed with a carcinoid tumor at the age of 12 in my left lung. No history of lung issues or cancer in my family. It started out with being diagnosed with pneumonia twice and my pediatrician knew it was something more.

Nina E, MT

Nancy S, MT

Christina S, DC

Karen H, MO

I am a former smoker. When I got my Medicare guide for 2018, I saw that they were paying for the scan. I went to my doctor who scheduled the scan for me. The very same day of the scan, my doctor was calling me telling me the Radiologist saw a small m

Dorothy H, TX

I am writing about my husband, Gary Head. He smoked for over 50 years then I heard about the low-dose CT scan as a screening tool for smokers. I asked the nurse practitioner about having this done for my husband and she seemed more concerned about Me

Deanna K, FL

My primary physician urged me to have the lung screening, so I had it done. I was sent to a lung doctor to speak with him since there was an area of concern. He then recommended a pet scan, however after having that done the area had gotten smaller.