“My Future Depends on It:” Local Teacher Raises Nearly $95,000 for Lung Cancer Research

Debra Smith, a local lung cancer survivor, is on a mission to raise awareness and critical funds for lung cancer research with the American Lung Association. Smith, her husband Kent, and family and friends have participated Orlando’s LUNG FORCE Run/Walk for the past six years, raising a total of nearly $95,000 for research, education and advocacy here in Florida and beyond. On Saturday, May 4, “Team Deb” will again join hundreds of other lung health advocates at Baldwin Park.

“I am very thankful for the lung cancer research that has benefitted me,” said Smith, who serves on the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Cabinet with her husband, Kent. “I have been able to watch my two children, Kaylie and Kyle get married and have children of their own. Our two grandchildren, Brayden and Reina are keeping Kent and I young! I have gone 16 months with clear scans, and I am feeling strong!”

Smith, an elementary school teacher from Melbourne, was diagnosed with Stage IV EGFR-positive lung cancer in early 2018. She had kept a regular Pilates practice and had initially thought the pain in her hip was from a pulled hip flexor. An MRI revealed a tumor and further testing revealed an EGFR mutation. Like Smith, most people who have lung cancers with EGFR mutations tend to have minimal to no smoking history.

Smith’s type of lung cancer is treatable, not curable. Thankfully, she’s responded well to Tagrisso, a targeted therapy pill. However, because lung cancer changes over time, she’s concerned about future options.

Smith added: “There is no telling when my lung cancer treatment will stop working. That is why it’s so important that we continue to support research that may lead to a cure. My future literally depends on funding lung cancer research. That’s why Kent and I have made it our mission to continue to raise money every year.”

“We are so incredibly grateful for Debra and Kent and their contribution to creating a future free from lung cancer and lung disease,” said Amanda Henry, Director of Development for the American Lung Association in Florida. “Since beginning six years ago, ‘Team Deb’ has raised a staggering amount—nearly $95,000—to fund lung cancer research and other programming to support the more than 2.7 Floridians with lung disease.”

Join Debra and Kent Smith and hundreds of other lung health advocates from the Orlando area and beyond at the 10th annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, presented by AdventHealth, on Saturday, May 4 at Baldwin Park. For more information, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Orlando.

To request an interview with Debra Smith, please contact Victoria O’Neill via email at [email protected] or call 312-273-5890.