Maureen Rigney: Nearly two decades helping the lung cancer community

Since 2005, GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Senior Director, Support Programs and Psychosocial Care, Maureen Rigney, LICSW, has guided people with lung cancer and caregivers through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. We talked to Rigney about how she came to GO2 and why she is so passionate about her role with the organization.  

What is your professional background?

I became a social worker in 1994 and worked in mental health for 25 years. My experience ran the gamut—I worked in case management with people in crisis and did forensic social work.  

Based on my experience in the mental health field, I joined the Lung Cancer Alliance in 2005 to oversee the HelpLine and Phone Buddy Program. At the time, there were just four of us in the organization. I knew nothing about lung cancer but was able to expand my knowledge as the organization grew over the years.   

What drew you to GO2?

When I joined the organization, it was so exciting to be part of something that was just starting to grow. Previously, I had worked in agencies with more than 350 people. I loved that it was so small and so nimble. We keep our finger on the pulse of the lung cancer community to develop materials and offer services according to what we people need. We meet them where they are. We aim to be creative and exploratory.   

How have you seen change over time with your organization and role?

Over the years, the lung cancer community has seen increased excitement in learning more about the disease. As we work with people who are diagnosed, we see more treatment options. Lung cancer is a confusing disease that is challenging to navigate, which makes our role of guiding people on where to go for resources and support so important. My role is ever-changing, and that is what keeps me working here.   

 The best thing that happened to the organization was when the Lung Cancer Alliance and the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation merged to form GO2 for Lung Cancer in 2017. This merger knit together two organizations with strengths in different areas, allowing us to expand our capacity and ability to help patients.   

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment at GO2? What are you most proud of?

I have had the opportunity to represent the voice of the lung cancer community in different settings. One of the highlights of GO2’s programs is LungMATCH. Treating lung cancer is so complex. LungMATCH is a valuable resource for helping people find clinical trials, understand more details on treatment options, and ask questions. It has improved how we deliver services to patients and caregivers so much.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I am also very pleased that we have kept the HelpLine over the years. We are constantly evaluating procedures, and amazingly, we have kept our system in-house since the late 1990s.   

My only wish is that there would be more hours in the day and week to do more.