Here's the latest!
Pride Month at LUNGevity
Happy Pride Month! As we close out the month of June, LUNGevity is excited to share some additional resources for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Here are some highlights:
Lung Cancer & LGBTQIA2S+ Voices:
Building Community & Support
Join on Facebook Live
Join us on Tuesday, June 25, at 1 pm ET on LUNGevity’s Facebook page for an engaging conversation about the experiences of the LGBTQIA2S+ community with lung cancer. Moderated by LUNGevity staff and lung cancer survivors from the LGBTQIA2S+ community, this event will focus on how to build supportive and inclusive communities while navigating a lung cancer diagnosis. his will be held in partnership with the National LGBT Cancer Network, who will also share resources.
New LGBTQIA2S+ Support Space
We are launching a dedicated space for the LGBTQIA2S+ community within our Lung Cancer Support Community, moderated by Nikki Martin, LUNGevity’s Senior Director of Precision Medicine Initiatives. The forum will go live on June 25 after our Facebook Live.
Resharing an Important Discussion from 2023
Don’t miss our encore presentation of last year’s insightful discussion on inclusive care for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Hosted by Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, this conversation features Sarah Christ (patient), her wife, Martha Belesis, and Abraham Chachoua, MD, a thoracic oncologist from the NYU School of Medicine. Watch the full conversation.
Join the SCLC Smashers: Watch the Launch Event Now!
On May 30, Misty Dawn Shields, MD, PhD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, and Ann Steagall, vice president of patient services at LUNGevity, hosted a dynamic webinar to officially launch the Small Cell Smashers support group.
This group is dedicated to SCLC patients, survivors, and caregivers. During the webinar, Dr. Shields answered participant questions, shared her inspiration for starting the SCLC Smashers, and discussed current clinical trials along with the latest FDA-approved treatment for extensive-stage SCLC.
Missed it? Watch the recording and consider joining the SCLC Smashers community today on Facebook and X.
Event News and Highlights
Summer Marathon Training Season Is Here!
Across the country and around the world, nearly 100 Team LUNGevity athletes are lacing up and hitting the pavement to train for their upcoming 26.2-mile experience. Between now and race day, these athletes aim to raise $325,000 for lung cancer research and support programs.
Check out the event pages below to read athlete stories or support their journey with a donation:
Jenny Fay and Greta D'Agostino celebrating after the 2023 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Team LUNGevity is an endurance fundraising community, open to people of all fitness levels and abilities. Learn how you, or someone you know, can race in honor or memory of a loved one (or yourself!) at teamlungevity.org.
International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference
Save the date: September 20-21!
Join the global lung cancer community at the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC), a free virtual event focused on the latest in lung cancer care. Gain a deeper understanding of the science behind your (or your loved one's) disease, empowering you to work more effectively with your healthcare team and take an active role in your healthcare decisions. Hear from keynote speaker Solange Peters, MD, PhD, celebrated as this year’s OncLive “Giant of Cancer Care – Lung Cancer,” as she highlights 20 years of research advances.
Many more dynamic sessions will be offered, including:
- World-class experts across North America, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa
- New treatment options for small cell lung cancer
- Treatment advances in early-stage lung cancer
- Lung cancer biomarkers and subtypes
Be the first to know when registration opens and get ready for a transformative experience!
Science and Research Corner
New Insights on Young Adults with Lung Cancer: An Interview with Dr. Florez
Young adults under 50 are being diagnosed with lung cancer at increasing rates, often facing unique challenges. Narjust Florez, MD, awarded LUNGevity’s 2022 Health Equity and Inclusiveness Junior Investigator Award, is leading research to address these needs. Her study, presented at the recent ASCO conference, highlights the impact of lung cancer on these patients' mental, social, and financial health. Learn more about this groundbreaking work and her 360-degree approach to caring for patients.
Breakthroughs in Lung Cancer Research at ASCO 2024
Thousands gathered at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting to discuss groundbreaking lung cancer research. This year's theme, "The Art and Science of Cancer Care: From Comfort to Cure," emphasized both creativity and scientific advancements in treatment. Highlights included new treatment options for SCLC, big wins for biomarker-driven NSCLC, and promising data on patient quality of life and personalized care. Discover the most impactful studies presented at this year's conference.
Enhancing Biomarker Testing Conversations: LUNGevity and ACCC’s Innovative Tool Highlighted at ASCO
At this year’s ASCO Annual Meeting, a poster highlighted results of a LUNGevity - Association of Cancer Care Centers partnership on the “Care Sequence” tool, designed to help doctors and patients discuss lung cancer biomarker testing at both safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals.
This tool is crucial for planning care immediately after a non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis. Based on the 4R Oncology® model (Right information, Right Care, Right Patient, Right Time), it addresses disparities in patients’ understanding of biomarker testing, promotes patient self-management, and eases anxiety while waiting for results.
Clinician interviews from 10 centers show the tool effectively explains biomarker testing timing and manages patient expectations, improving conversations with patients who have limited health literacy. Patient survey data from the 10 sites will be presented at the World Lung Conference in September.
LUNGevity is excited to collaborate with the Center for Business Models in Healthcare to develop dissemination methods for this tool across the US.
Advocacy 101 Webinar Series Empowers Lung Cancer Advocates
LUNGevity Action Network recently invited patients and caregivers to share their experiences and perspectives with clinicians, researchers, and government agencies to drive positive outcomes for the lung cancer community. The product of this initiative is being presented as a three-part webinar series.
Part 1, recorded in March, featured longtime advocate and lung cancer survivor Jill Feldman (view it here). Part 2, recorded last week, focused on research advocacy and training programs and is available to watch here.
Sign up for the latest news, events, and action alerts from the LUNGevity Action Network - including Part 3 of the webinar series, coming this summer. Already signed up? Visit the Take Action page to write to your legislators about lung cancer priorities.
In Case You Missed It
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