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Recognizing Cancer Survivors Day & Pride Month
June has a handful of important dates and milestones, two of which directly impact our work and the lives of those we serve—National Cancer Survivors Day (June 2) and Pride Month.
National Cancer Survivors Day
Thanks to the many incredible survivors in this community and their willingness to use their voices, we're lucky to be in a place to share their stories. They range from Katie's goal of running a marathon after being diagnosed while pregnant to Xavier finding purpose after his military career ended due to his lung cancer. You can meet these survivors and others by reading their stories here.
Pride Month
Each year, Pride Month recognizes and celebrates the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and culture. It's also a reminder to call out and address the inequities these individuals still face, specifically in the medical setting. In addition to sharing these resources, LUNGevity is supporting the crucial work of Matty Triplette, MD, MPH, to bring the underserved 2SLGBTQIA+ community into the lung cancer spotlight. Dr. Triplette recently published the results of this research in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society, a respected scientific journal. Learn about his findings here.
LUNGevity Pride Month Conversation: Inclusive Cancer Care for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 | 4 PM ET
Join us for this special Facebook Live event featuring a panel of healthcare professionals—a primary care provider, an oncologist, and a pulmonologist—who discuss the unique challenges 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals face in cancer early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The panel will address known disparities in lung cancer care and explore how to create more inclusive and affirming care environments.
Tune in to learn, ask questions, and help advance equity in cancer care for all.
Meet the panelists:
Amy Cummings, MD, PhD
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Pamela Ling, MD, MPH
University of California San Francisco
Matty Triplette, MD, MPH
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Protecting Progress in Lung Cancer Research and Care
LUNGevity Foundation strongly opposes the President’s FY26 budget proposal, which includes devastating cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute—threatening decades of progress in lung cancer research, prevention, and treatment.
The CDC’s cancer control programs would be eliminated entirely, and the FDA faces steep reductions. These cuts would delay lifesaving innovations and hinder early detection efforts. We urge Congress to reject this proposal and continue investing in the health of millions.
Read the full statement and take action through the LUNGevity Action Network.
📢 Coming This July: LUNGevity’s New Research-Focused Newsletter
We’re excited to launch a brand-new e-newsletter spotlighting the latest in lung cancer research. Starting in July, you’ll receive updates straight to your inbox on the latest research and science shaping the future of lung cancer early detection, treatment, and survivorship.
Don’t miss an issue—update your email preferences to stay informed and inspired by the progress being made.
LUNGevity's monthly Conversations that Count series gives you a seat at the table as top experts engage in critical discussions.
On Tuesday, June 17, we welcome Carolyn J. Pressley, MD, MHS, from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and The James Cancer Hospital/Solove Research Institute to talk about her work in geriatric oncology and engaging the elderly in cancer care.
In case you missed it last month, Jeffrey Velotta, MD, FACS, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, shared his work on improving lung cancer screening uptake in Asian Americans. Read a summary or watch the full presentation here.
Small Cell SMASHERS Fireside Chat
FRIDAY, JUNE 20 | 12-1 PM ET
Each month, the Small Cell SMASHERS Fireside Chats highlight the latest discoveries and breakthroughs in SCLC. Hosted by Misty Shields, MD, PhD, IU Health, and LUNGevity's Ann Fish-Steagall, they welcome a new expert each month to share information and answer audience questions.
The next Fireside Chat is Friday, June 20, at 12 pm ET with special guests Michael Gieske, MD, St. Elizabeth Cancer Center, and Nasser Hanna, MD, Indiana University School of Medicine. This month's topic is "Lung Cancer Screening: Eligibility, Engaging Healthcare Systems, and Impact for Lung Cancer including SCLC." Follow us on Facebook so you can join us live next Friday.
Last month, we heard from Nagla Karim, MD, from the Inova Schar Cancer Institute on the application of subtyping and biomarkers for SCLC. Watch a recording of this session, as well as all past sessions, on the LUNGevity SCLC Patient Gateway.
We've Got a Fresh New Look!
LUNGevity’s homepage just got a makeover—and we’re excited to share it with you! With a cleaner design, easier navigation, and updated content, it’s now even simpler to understand the breadth and impact of LUNGevity’s work and to find the resources, research updates, and support you need.
Explore the new site at lungevity.org.
Survivors Racing with Team LUNGevity
Team LUNGevity has several lung cancer survivor-athletes on the roster for 2025. These incredible survivors prove that life after a lung cancer diagnosis can include strength, resilience—and even endurance racing. From Paris to Chicago to Duluth to Miami, they are showing the world what’s possible. Read about Katie Gilmore's Paris marathon experience.
Congratulations to our survivor-athletes so far in 2025!
- Reyshley Ramos – Life Time Miami Half Marathon
- Katie Gilmore - Schneider Electric Paris Marathon
- Lisa Zarov - Life Time Chicago Spring 10K (Lisa’s daughter Anna ran the half-marathon)
- Lauren Coye - Grandma’s Marathon (upcoming)
- Caitlin Quinn - Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (upcoming)
Anna and Lisa celebrating after the race in Chicago
These powerful stories highlight the strength of our community and the power of movement to inspire change. Thank you to Reyshley, Katie, Lisa, Anna, Lauren, and Caitlin for raising awareness and showing what survivorship can look like.
Join them in making a difference: www.teamlungevity.org
Introducing the Project PRIORITY Data Explorer
We’ve just unveiled the Project PRIORITY Data Explorer, an interactive interface created with and for the EGFR-positive lung cancer community. In collaboration with the EGFR Resisters, caregivers, and our Patient-Focused Research Center team, we transformed survey data into a powerful tool for patients, caregivers, and researchers.
This co-created resource helps users:
- Advocate for better care
- Explore real-world treatment experiences
- Feel more connected by learning about others on similar journeys
Explore the data and see how your community’s voice is driving change and understanding in EGFR-mutated lung cancer.
RESEARCH CORNER
Research is the cornerstone of progress for the early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
For more than a decade, LUNGevity has been an integral part of the research community. Whether we’re funding projects, building collaborations, convening discussions with experts, or sharing the latest scientific advances, LUNGevity is always working to improve outcomes for people living with lung cancer.
This month, we’re bringing you exciting research updates from a major scientific conference, an innovative approach to “send cancer to the trash can,” and the opportunity to support funding lung cancer research at the federal level.
Highlights from the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting
Every year, cancer researchers gather to discuss the top research results at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. This year’s theme, “Unifying Cancer Science and Medicine: A Continuum of Innovation for Impact,” underscores the importance of supporting translational research, which turns preclinical science into solutions for treating cancer.
Upal Basu Roy, PhD, MPH, Executive Director of Research at LUNGevity, shares the key takeaways from the AACR meeting and emphasizes the critical importance of continued support for lung cancer research. Read it here, and be on the lookout for news from ASCO next month!
Hacking the Natural Systems of Cells to Benefit Patients with RET+ Cancer
Healthy cells are constantly making proteins for the basic functions of life—there are proteins for repairing DNA, proteins for creating energy, and proteins for many other normal cellular tasks. But cells also need a way to get rid of unwanted proteins—those proteins that are too old or simply not needed anymore—to make way for the new proteins.
This process, called protein degradation, allows cells to label proteins to be sent to the cellular “garbage can” and be broken down.
Innovative research, funded by RETpositive and LUNGevity, leverages protein degradation to eliminate mutated proteins that drive cancer growth.
In a recorded webinar, Justin Drake, PhD, from University of Minnesota, and Emily Walthall from RETpositive discuss this important research and its implications for people living with RET-positive cancer. Watch it here or read about this exciting approach.
Take Action for Lung Cancer Research Funding
Congress is beginning to make funding decisions for fiscal year 2026, and your voice is essential. Join the LUNGevity Action Network (LAN) campaign to tell your members of Congress why investing in lung cancer research matters.
It only takes a minute to send a message—and while you’re at it, sign up for LAN updates to stay informed about the latest advocacy opportunities.
Make your voice heard. Advocate for progress.
In Case You Missed It
- Blog: The Overlooked Issues Faced by Women with Lung Cancer
- Video: Integrative Oncology - Eastern Medicine Meets Western Health Care to Treat the Whole Person
- Blog: How Could Proposed Changes to Medicaid Affect People with Lung Cancer?
- Alert: New Treatment Approved for NSCLC with High Level of c-Met Protein
LUNGevity is transforming what it means to be diagnosed and live with lung cancer.
Support our mission by making a tax-deductible donation today.
