Missing My Mom

In this Story of Strength, mother Kay Irene Harvey is remembered for the resilience she showed to her family while struggling with lung cancer.

A Family Says Goodbye

In this story, a brother and two sisters cope with the passing of their mother and find the strength to keep living.

“Live Your Life!” The Story of Katie Lucas and Her Mother

Katie Lucas' mother meant the world to her. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, Katie was devastated. This is the story of how Katie and her mother turned the pain of lung cancer into the best year of their lives together.

“Don’t Take Life For Granted”

Wendy Anzalone always thought of her father as Superman. Now, after his diagnosis with lung cancer, Wendy's family is learning difficult but important lessons. Each day is precious, no one is promised a tomorrow and, as her father says, it's important to "live, love and laugh."

Never Lose Hope, by Anne Hansen

We were not about to let cancer take over his life and neither was he. We gave him all the support, hope and will to live. We truly believe that the biggest part of fighting cancer is mental. Its a will to live and not give up.

Raising Awareness for his Mother - Eric Dunevant and Debi Walsh

When my mother got lung cancer I didn’t really know what it was, I was only 3 years old. All I knew was that it was kind of weird knowing that she could have died so easily. Now it’s been eight years since she got it. Her one dream was for her to live long enough for me to have graduated fifth grade and she has so far exceeded that dream, but even now it’s scary to know that she could get cancer again at any moment.

Mom’s Cancer

There are So Many Things I Didn’t Know About Lung Cancer (VIDEO)

Five years ago, Brian's cousin was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Years later, he learned that others in his family have been affected by lung cancer, and now he's an advocate for lung cancer education.

She Wanted Us to Continue This Fight and Let Her Memory Live on (VIDEO)

Father/Daughter advocate team Gary Hicks and Anderson Garrett share how losing their mother drove them to make a difference. By organizing their Free to Breathe® event, Gary and Anderson want to ensure that people affected by lung cancer know that they're not alone.

I Took a Stand (VIDEO)

Lynne Winchell has lost five family members to lung cancer. When her father was diagnosed in 2008, Lynne found the National Lung Cancer Partnership and participated in the Free to Breathe® National Walk. She promised her father that she would bring an event to Denver, and in 2010 she hosted the Inaugural Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk in Denver CO.

Bonnie Groezinger’s Story, From her Family

The Loss of My Dad has Become the Rallying Point for My Family (VIDEO)

In 2010, Jon Reens lost his father, Steve, to lung cancer. The loss both devastated and united his family. For them, the loss of a dear loved one turned into an opportunity to help others facing this same disease by participating in Free to Breathe®. In this video, Jon shares his family's story.

Lung Cancer at 19

Nineteen and in love, college sophomore, 13-year competitive athlete...non-smoker. On December 4th, my daughter - Brittany Elizabeth Coppedge - was diagnosed with BAC and just three weeks later she lost her battle with this monster. Yet in those three weeks she showed more amazing strength and grace than I'd ever seen in anyone else. Within minutes of being told of her diagnosis, Brittany looked at me, then at the doctors and said "let's do something".

Christian White’s Story

To be completely honest, there are many people on this earth that knew Chick White, the man, better than I did. But for thirteen years I did know him as a father, and the greatest lesson he taught me will be with me always. “There are three rules that every person should live by,” he said to me. “Serve your community, serve your country, and serve yourself. And if you can live by these three rules,” my father said, “you will live a rewarding life.”

Andrea Lacianca’s Story

I lost my Dad to lung cancer in April of 2008. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC on Valentine's Day and passed on April 29. The diagnosis, battle, and his passing devastated our tight knit family.

Sara Saunders’ Story

In 2006, my friend Sara Saunders (seated on the right), a 47-year-old mother of two teenage boys, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sara and I had been through much during our 28 years of friendship. We married and celebrated the births of our children. We shared the sorrow of the deaths of our infant daughters. We laughed together, and chatted about anything and everything.

Susan C. Hicks’ Story

Life forces you to make choices. If you are driving and you see a tree limb in your lane, do you swerve to miss it or do you run it over? Choices affect who we are and what path we will take in life. Thanks to the hard and courageous choices of one North Carolina family, North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership will welcome an additional Free to Breathe® 5K to its family of racing fundraisers this fall.

The Christos Psarros Family’s Story

Chris and Nina Psarros moved to Raleigh from New York in 1999. Their daughter, Ann Marie, was enrolled in the College of Design at NC State, and a move seemed to make sense to the close Psarros clan. That same year, they opened Nina’s Ristorante on Leadmine Road. They were accustomed to the restaurant business, having opened and managed a successful restaurant in New York for nine years.

Jill McKay’s Story

Over the past year, Michael McKay has gotten involved with the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership with hopes to draw more attention and funding to lung cancer. From securing sponsorships for the Free to Breathe events across the state, to asking for silent auction items for the Evening of Hope Gala, Mike has worked nonstop to bring awareness and funding to Lung Cancer.

Evening of Hope Wilmington Organizers’ Stories

Larry Knowles was diagnosed with stage lll lung cancer on New Years Eve of 2008. Larry went to MD Anderson Cancer Care Center where he had his upper right lobe and 29 lymph nodes removed.

My Mom: My Friend

My mom, Linda, died at the age of 59 on February 16, 2003. Throughout her life, she always put other people first. She always tried to take care of her health. She, like myself, always enjoyed working with children in special education classrooms. This was her way of making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

We Were Both too Young

I lost my mother when she was only 47 years old. In just 8 short months I watched her go from a healthy, active adult to someone who looked decades older. I was only 26 when the roles were switched during her last month. I had become her caregiver.

My mother of three

I was only 11 when I lost my mom for good. I had to watch her suffer and never had the full problems of her disease explained to me. About 7-8 months later she died.

Lost my soulmate to lung cancer 2006

My husband had been complaining of back pain and choking when he laid on his back. The doctor just brushed it off and said his spine was crooked.

The Elephant in the Room

Like everyone, I will cherish the memories of my family. My story is the same in a lot of ways. Much I what you read hear will ring true. Much of what you read will make you sad. I want the reader to know that despite my loss, I carry on. Though it is not always easy, I have tried to move on with my life. I live with daily guilt. After reading you will understand why.

My Mom’s a Fighter

My mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer that spread to her brain in June 2007. She was at her winter home in Florida when she went to the doctor who said she had allergies. My father did not accept their diagnosis and returned home to Boston.

My Mom: Our Hero!!!

My story is in regards to my mother. Even though we lost my mom on June 22, 2007 from small cell lung cancer, she is an inspiration to me and others around her because even in the face of death she never gave up hope and her love for life.

She made a difference.

Katie: diagnosed in March of 2007 at age 41 with NSCLC with a primary tumor of 9cm in her mediastinum. She passed on on Sunday December 9 2007 at 2:20pm. She fought with everything she had, she went into the hospital the Sunday before and never came home. She refused to be put on a ventilator and refused to go home with all of the tubes and such. She was a beautiful spirit inside and out, a true Princess and she was my sister-in-law and mother of four children ages 8-17.

Carol, Sister, Aunt, Great-Aunt, Cousin, Friend, and FIGHTER! She is our “Spirit in

My sister, Carol, was diagnosed in May, 2005 of Stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma of the lung...in both lungs, liver, spleen, as well as tumors up and down her spine! She had been a life-long asthmatic, but never had any trouble breathing. Her only symptom was back pain, and since she traveled lots with her job, we all naturally thought she might have a herniated disc.

Missing Poppy

Why? It’s my Daddy

My Daddy began his fight in January of 2009; it was assumed it was just fighting a "cold that would never go away, possible bronchitis and/or pneumonia." The doctors were wrong. A mass has been found in his left lung, as well as a small mass in his right lung. He spent nearly two weeks in ICU, first at the hospital in Jennings, Louisiana and then being moved to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

My Sister, Laurianne

My sister Laurianne, died from lung cancer on October 22, 2005. The following is her story taken from a speech I gave in Santa Rosa, California on November 4, 2005 for Shine a Little Light on Lung Cancer. Laurianne was loved by many people, and she is sorely missed.

Lung Cancer Took my Wife

Information, Information, Information

In Memory of My Mother

My Mother had not been feeling well beginning last summer (2004). She had been complaining of a variety of symptoms, including a constant "post-nasal drip", chest pains when she would lie down, a small nagging cough and trouble swallowing. Her family doctor said she had acid reflux and prescribed some medication. He also thought she had allergies and suggested she try some over the counter allergy medicine. I asked her doctor in June 2004 if Mom could have lung cancer. He didn't think so.

We Lost Our Dear Mother

My mother, Elizabeth Dowidat, was a healthy 60 year old when we celebrated her big birthday in May of this year. She was very happy and full of life. She particularly loved that people often guessed her age as late 40s and commented that we looked like sisters. So, it was a devastating shock when we were given the news of a cancer diagnosis.

My Courageous Daughter

My daughter was diagnosed with Non-small cell lung cancer - mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung - two days after her son was born. She swam a mile a couple of days a week and never smoked. She loved children and worked as a nanny while studying to be an American sign language interpreter.

My Mother is the Strongest Person I Have Ever Known

My mother, Kathleen Friedman passed away from lung cancer on January 14, 2003. When my mother fractured her shoulder in October 2002 the x-rays found a tumor in her left shoulder. Concerned, our doctor sent her in for an MRI and Brain Scan. The doctor’s office called not two hours after the tests to tell us to come in. On the day before Thanksgiving, two brain tumors had been discovered.

Lung Cancer???!!! No Way.

My precious mother lost her battle with this hideous thief called cancer on May 13, 2003. She had been wobbly on her feet for months; it was decided she had allergies and inner-ear fluid.

My Sister’s Courageous Fight with Lung Cancer

My sister Carol is the most courageous person I know. She was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, with tumors on her spine, in both lungs, and her liver, all inoperable. My sister works in the health care field and luckily has access to wonderful health care. She was diagnosed by MRI in May 2005 after complaining of middle back pain (we thought it was a herniated disc). She also has severe asthma. She is 54 and she is fighting for her life.

Meg’s Story

My daughter, Meg, found out in December, 2004, that she was pregnant with my 1st grandchild. She was teaching Kindergarten and had gotten sick with an upper respiratory infection and cough that wouldn't go away. She saw 3 different doctors but because of the pregnancy they prescribed limited treatments. She was still coughing in March when she and her husband came for a visit.

There was No Effective Treatment until 1990…

I was a happy-go-lucky 28 year-old when I lost my father to lung cancer after a battle of close to five years. Then just two months later came the phone call that would change my life forever. My Mom's doctor informed me that she had just eight weeks to live, due to advanced lung cancer. I watched in horror as she put on a brave face for me. She never lost her "dry" English sense of humor.

Pam’s Story

Day One On December 12th, I asked Pam if I could join her at her Doctor's appointment. It was to obtain results from a routine chest x-ray. That morning, I had a feeling that I had not previously experienced. It was a strange feeling. We were worried. I was scared I felt like something was very, very wrong. It was. Pam, a picture of health, was told that she was very ill.

Mom’s Battle with NSC Squamus Stage 3

My mother is 53 years old and on January 9th 2005 went to the doctor because she felt like she had a pill stuck in her throat. This is where our nightmare began... They scheduled her for a chest x-ray and she took it on the 9th. The chest x-ray came back abnormal and so they called and scheduled a CT scan. She took the CT Scan on 1/18 and went to the doctor that afternoon for the results... Something was going on in her lungs and it looked like cancer.. WHAT??????

My Beautiful Friend, Jill Cotoia

This really isn't my own personal story of strength but it is more a story of remembering a beautiful woman. Jill Cotoia was a wonderful mother, an amazing wife, a truly splendid friend, and above all else a most incredible person. Her diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer was shocking to all who knew her. What initially looked like pneumonia turned out to be something far more serious.

My Mom Defied the Statistics! There is Hope out There!

My mother was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in Nov. 2005. She had one tumor in her lung, and 3 had spread to her brain. She was told the lung tumor was inoperable, and was given 2-5 years to live. She immediately began whole brain radiation. Two weeks later, after seeing a neurologist, she was told if she did not have brain surgery, she had approximately one month to live.

Lessons Learned from my Mother’s Experience

My mother, Karen Gallagher, was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer in spring 1995, and died in our home on Christmas Day 1996, the day after my 25th birthday. By the time her cancer was finally diagnosed in spring 1995, it had metastasized to her brain and was therefore deemed inoperable. She was only 49 years old.

Two Family Members Too Many

I lost my mom to lung cancer in 1996 and my grandma died of it in 2003. My mom was not a heavy smoker and grandma did smoke. Either way, no one deserves to die the kind of death they both did. Both were diagnosed too late and not much could be done except prolonging the agony.