Lung cancer has impacted my life not once but twice and changed our family forever. In 1999, my mother, Peggy Smith, died within four months of being diagnosed with lung cancer. She was the center of our family of six kids and an irreplaceable loss. She was a former smoker but had quit 10 years before, and yet she still died from such a terrible disease.
We never imagined that 12 years later this disease would also take my oldest sister’s life. Her name was Margaret (called Peggy as well). She also died within four months of her diagnosis. She did smoke but was only 50 years old. Our family was beyond devastated, losing our oldest sibling who always stepped in to offer guidance and help when needed, just as my mom did.
I too was a former smoker, and on the day my sister was diagnosed, I never smoked a cigarette again. I credit her with saving my life. Having lived with both their losses has inspired me to: one, stop this terrible disease; two, stop people from ever starting to smoke; and three, help people who are currently smoking quit and be healthy and free from the addiction of cigarettes.
My family’s losses have inspired me to get involved in Lung Force to help raise awareness and any money I can to help fight lung cancer and other lung diseases. Anything I can do to help persons struggling with their health, or to help find a cure and a means to stop lung cancer, is something I feel driven to achieve.
