In 2001, seven patients with lung cancer in the Chicago area came together to form LUNGevity, an organization dedicated to educational and supportive resources for people with lung cancer and survivors.
In 2010, LUNGevity jumped in size and scope when it teamed up with Protect Your Lungs, an organization founded in 2008 by the family of Patricia A. Stern, who died of the disease. Today, Andrea Ferris, Stern’s daughter, serves as LUNGevity’s president and CEO, and their mission is as strong as ever.
Goals of LUNGevity
LUNGevity aims to help those with lung cancer find support while providing information about navigating a diagnosis, treatments, and recent research. “Thanks to the remarkable progress in research and treatments, more people with lung cancer are living longer — and at LUNGevity, we’re committed to helping them live better,” said Marci Allison, vice president of marketing and communications at LUNGevity. “We’re equally focused on accelerating the science so that these breakthroughs reach even more patients, faster.”
Services LUNGevity Provides
LUNGevity offers a wide range of services to patients and survivors. Among them:
Educational booklets and brochures are available, many in both English and Spanish, as well as free-to-access information on their website covering everything from the stages of lung cancer, screening, biomarker testing, and more. Their site also offers a video and webinar library, featuring experts discussing different subjects within lung cancer, recordings from past events, and survivors sharing personal stories.
“Our website is one of the most comprehensive and trusted resources available for anyone seeking information about lung cancer,” Allison says.
LUNGevity also provides support services to those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, including their Lung Cancer HELPline, where patients and caregivers can speak with an oncology social worker, and their LifeLine Support Program, a peer-to-peer mentorship that connects people to other patients or caregivers. “We connect you with someone who shares a similar diagnosis and is further along in their lung cancer journey. This person can offer guidance, support, and firsthand insight into treatment, clinical trials, and more,” Allison says.
Additionally, LUNGevity hosts weekly virtual meetups, for patients, survivors, and caregivers to connect with others across the country. You can find a list of their current schedule and register for a meetup on their website.
LUNGevity Events
Each spring, LUNGevity hosts their HOPE Summit, an in-person conference, where patients, survivors, and caregivers gather. The connection is what brings people back to HOPE Summit year after year, but also the sessions on living well with lung cancer, research innovations, and fun activities.”
Lungevity hosts several other events throughout the year, including the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference (ILCSC), a virtual event where attendees can hear from lung cancer experts about the latest research, treatment options, and more.
Breathe Deep Together is an annual event kicking off Lung Cancer Awareness month in November, and features a community walk, Lung Health Resource Fair, and family friendly activities in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, as well as Breath Deep Anywhere across the country.
Find more information about the HOPE Summit, ILCSC, Breath Deep, and other LUNGevity events on their events page.
Core Belief
“We envision a world where no one dies from lung cancer,” Allison says. “We believe survival rates will keep rising as scientific breakthroughs continue to accelerate and build on one another.”
