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 at all about the disease. I have found that is often the case for many other people as well.
What started as a nagging cough soon turned our family's lives upside down when a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer came in January 2011. I didn't know what to do or who to turn to. Google searches didn't help because the statistics were shocking and there weren't very many events or groups for JUST lung cancer. I was lucky enough to find an event that benefits lung cancer right in my back yard. I have devoted my free time to raising awareness and funding for lung cancer in my community. It is something that I am passionate about and dedicated to. My mom's battle with lung cancer was not easy, for her or for our family. There was good news and bad news but we all struggled through it together. Family and friends really are the most important thing to have after a lung cancer diagnosis. Although my mom unfortunately passed away in July 2012 after an extremely courageous battle with lung cancer, I am dedicated to continuing the fight in her memory.
It is so important for everyone to know that they are not alone. Although lung cancer doesn't receive nearly as much recognition as other cancers, it is important to remember that there options and groups that can provide additional information and that it's important that all who are able speak out do so that we can change the statistics that surround this disease. It's also important for everyone to know that ANYONE can get lung cancer. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer- it's NOT just a smoker's disease! We need to get rid of the stigma that surrounds this disease and fight back so that we don't lose any more wonderful people to this horrible disease! It's important to have hope - hope that those fighting can beat this disease, and hope that we can raise more awareness and funding to cure this disease!
"It is better to light a single candle, than to sit and curse the darkness". If we all stand together and "light a single candle" we can bring light to this disease that is often left in the darkness.
