ACTION, AWARENESS, HOPE
Lung Cancer Awareness Is in Full Swing
November is lung cancer awareness month, a time when we unite to shine a national spotlight on lung cancer, the leading cancer killer in the U.S., and rally for early detection, research funding, and lifesaving support. Together, we can change the future for patients, survivors, and families.
Here’s a look ahead at how you can be part of this impactful month of action.
Honoring Lives. Inspiring Action.
On November 1, a committed and passionate crew of volunteers helped plant 60,000 white flags on the National Mall in Washington, DC, each one a solemn reminder of the 120,000 Americans lost to lung cancer every year. The installation serves as both a memorial and a rallying cry for action. The display also features 5,000 American flags honoring veterans who have died of lung cancer, a poignant reminder of the disease’s widespread impact. Separate installations are also featured in Boston, MA, Baton Rouge, LA, and Jackson, MS.
On November 5, we brought local and national attention to Lung Cancer Awareness Month with a powerful press conference with the display of flags as the backdrop. Policymakers, survivors, and medical experts demanded bipartisan support for lung cancer research and early detection programs.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, visited the installation, and raised awareness with your voice. Your support moves us closer to a future with fewer flags planted.
Celebration of Hope and Progress Raises More than $1 Million for Lung Cancer Research
LUNGevity’s Celebration of Hope and Progress on November 6 brought together patients, caregivers, researchers, and supporters to honor the advances being made in lung cancer research and the hope driving us forward. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Face of Hope Award to Christine Lovly, MD, PhD, FASCO, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, whose groundbreaking work and unwavering dedication is transforming outcomes for people with lung cancer.
Dr. Christine Lovly speaking at the Celebration of Hope and Progress.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the event raised more than $1 million to accelerate lifesaving research, advance early detection, and ensure that everyone diagnosed has access to the best care and support. Together, we are changing what it means to live with lung cancer. See the moving video featured at the event.
Breathe Deep TOGETHER: Uniting Communities, Advancing Research
Thanks to supporters in Boston, New York City, Washington, DC, and across the country, Breathe Deep TOGETHER on November 8 raised more than $310,000, and still going, to accelerate lung cancer research, expand early detection, and provide resources for everyone affected by this disease.
Across the country, participants came together to raise awareness, honor survivors, remember loved ones, and take action to change the future of lung cancer. From Boston’s 20th-anniversary celebration to on-site screenings in New York City, to walking among the 60,000 white flags on the National Mall in DC, each event embodied the strength and unity of our community. Every step taken brings us closer to a world where no one dies of lung cancer.
Breathe Deep Anywhere is happening all month; it is not too late for you to create your own event and fundraise for research advances. Participants in more than 550 cities across the United States have already signed up!
STILL TO COME DURING LCAM
📅 NOVEMBER 15
Step Into Screening
Take a proactive step for your health on Saturday, November 15. Join Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and LUNGevity for Step Into Screening, a community health event focused on cancer prevention, early detection, and wellness.
Learn about five cancers (breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate), receive same-day on-site screenings, and connect with experts on nutrition, healthy living, and quitting smoking.
No insurance or appointment is needed. Just show up and take charge of your health. Refreshments will be provided!
📍 MSK Ralph Lauren Center, 1919 Madison Ave. (entrance on 124th Street), New York, NY
We encourage you to RSVP to help us with planning: www.eventleaf.com/stepintoscreening
Questions? communityaffairs@mskcc.org
📅 NOVEMBER 15
Wellness in the Park
Partnering with Southside Social, a Chicago-based organization that hosts free monthly wellness events open to the public in underserved communities, LUNGevity will participate in a special LCAM-themed event on Saturday, November 15, to help deepen our presence in the community.
It will feature a breathwork session and a short walk around the local park. Afterward, community members can connect with organizations like LUNGevity and UIC Health, who will be staffing tables to share resources and spread awareness. Local coffee shops and small vendors will also be on site to help create a morning of community networking.
📅 NOVEMBER 18
Staying Sane During the Holidays
The holidays are a festive time of joy, but can also feel overwhelming. On Tuesday, November 18, Integrative Cancer Coach Wayne Mylin kicks off a three-part mental health series with a virtual meetup, "Inspired Pauses on the Trail: Rest, Breathe, Unload, Reclaim What Matters."
This session will help participants integrate mindful “pauses” into their day, which include mindful breathing, awareness, and assessment of their current state of well-being.
The series will continue on December 16 with Lisa-Paula DaSilva, MSW, discussing “Finding Joy & Maintaining Emotional Well-Being During the Holiday Season,” and will finish on January 20 with Ashley Griffin, MSW, looking at resiliency in the New Year.
Team LUNGevity Breaks Records!
Team LUNGevity celebrated its biggest events of the year with record-setting team sizes and fundraising totals at both the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon.
Across these two events, 101 athletes raised nearly $373,000 to support lung cancer research and programs.
A special shout-out to Melissa Bedner, Lucian Cioata, and Josh Vernon, who went above and beyond by completing both marathons just three weeks apart as part of Team LUNGevity!
And to top it off, Marie Bahno, a lung cancer survivor, and Greg Gerardy, a cancer survivor with one functioning lung, rounded out our teams inspiring everyone with their strength and determination.
From sharing delicious pre-race meals to cheering each other on along the course, Team LUNGevity made every moment count. Thank you to all our athletes, volunteers, and supporters for making these unforgettable experiences possible.
Want to be a part of the excitement in 2026? Team LUNGevity has opportunities from coast to coast and abroad, including marathons, 5Ks, and plenty of distances in between!
Holiday Shopping for a Cause
Start your holiday shopping now! Order gear from the Lung Cancer Awareness Store so you and your loved ones can spread awareness all year long.
Are you a Team LUNGevity member looking to show gratitude for your support squad or brag about your accomplishments for another year? Shop the Team LUNGevity Store!
Small Cell SMASHERS Fireside Chat
TUESDAY, NOV. 25 | 12-1 PM ET
Make sure you're following us on Facebook to see the next Small Cell SMASHERS Fireside Chat on the origins of SCLC and its impact on plasticity.
If you missed last month's chat, you can watch the recording here
Texas Lung Cancer Lunch & Learn: Expert Insights on Research, Treatment, and Living Well
LUNGevity, in partnership with MD Anderson, UT Southwestern, and UT San Antonio, invites you to an interactive Lunch & Learn designed for people living with lung cancer and their caregivers. Join in person at Cancer Support Community North Texas (space is limited) or online via Zoom on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 12 – 1:45 pm CT.
This hybrid event brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts to share the latest updates, strategies, and resources to help you navigate lung cancer with knowledge and confidence.
- Panel 1: What’s New in Research and Treatment - Hear directly from leading clinicians about the latest advances in lung cancer research, diagnostics, and therapies.
- Panel 2: Living Well with Lung Cancer - Discover practical approaches to survivorship, quality of life, integrative care, and nutrition from a range of specialists.
You’ll also hear from Cancer Support Community North Texas and LUNGevity about supportive programs and resources available to you and your loved ones.
Whether you attend in person (lunch provided) or virtually via Zoom, you’ll gain valuable insights and have the chance to ask questions.
Register today to secure your spot.
TAKE ACTION
Congress needs to hear from you about priorities for the lung cancer community! Please take a moment to write to your legislators using our campaigns on the LUNGevity Action Network. You can send the message we've created or customize it to include your personal reasons for advocating.
Our current campaigns include a call on Congress to increase funding for lung cancer research in final appropriations for FY2026 and to extend telehealth flexibilities in Medicare that make it easier for patients to access care from their home. We also invite you to share your story with us so that we can better inform policymakers about the issues that matter most to our community.
To stay on top of lung cancer advocacy issues, sign up for the LUNGevity Action Network.
SCIENCE & RESEARCH CORNER
Every day, patients and researchers around the world work together to improve the way we diagnose and treat lung cancer.
Those efforts have compounded over the past few decades to create significant breakthroughs for patients with lung cancer.
As we celebrate Lung Cancer Awareness Month, LUNGevity honors the scientific progress that is transforming what it means to be diagnosed with lung cancer. We also share updates from the researcher who first uncovered drug resistance in EGFR+ lung cancer, as he now works toward developing a lasting cure for the disease.
Celebrating Progress in Lung Cancer
Over the past 20 years, lung cancer research and care have changed in meaningful ways. As scientific teams develop innovative improvements in diagnosis and treatment, they have brought hope and advances to patients living with lung cancer.
During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, LUNGevity celebrates five key areas of progress from the past 20 years that showcase how far we have come through sustained research.
Dr. Kobayashi’s Innovative Plan to Defeat Lung Cancer Resistance
Susumu Kobayashi, MD, PhD, a pioneer in drug resistance in EGFR-positive lung cancer, is working to destroy the cells that lead to cancer recurrence. With support from the EGFR Resisters/LUNGevity Research Award, his team is targeting a protein called CD74 using antibody-drug conjugates to eliminate the stubborn cells that survive treatment and lead to drug resistance. His groundbreaking work offers new hope for lasting remission and moves the field closer to a potential cure for EGFR-positive lung cancer.
Advancing Equitable Access for Patients in Clinical Trials
The Equitable Access to Clinical Trials (EACT) Initiative is a collaborative effort, hosted by LUNGevity, to advance equitable access for patients participating in oncology clinical trials by reducing or removing out-of-pocket costs through financial support programs.
On October 20, David Gerber, MD, of University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center presented on behalf of the EACT Initiative at the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Annual Meeting.
His presentation was titled “Supporting the Clinical Research Patient Journey: EACT's Tools for Eliminating Financial Burdens.”
This presentation coincided with the release of a new guide, Best Practices and Approaches for Trial Site Staff, that includes best practice considerations and recommended approaches for clinical trial site staff to eliminate the financial burden for patients participating in oncology clinical trials.
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In Case You Missed It
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