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Felipe had spent his entire life focused on how the body works and how to keep it working well. With a background in exercise physiology and injury prevention, his career was built around helping people recover, rebuild, and, whenever possible, avoid injury altogether. So, when something didn’t feel right in his own body, it stood out immediately.

In 2019, Felipe was running a half marathon with 2 clients when he noticed a cough that felt different from anything he had experienced before.

“I couldn’t catch my breath, which was very unlike me,” he said. “People were actually stopping and asking if I was okay.”

He finished the race, but the symptoms stayed. He was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and asthma and prescribed inhalers and steroids, but things didn’t improve.

By 2021, after months of worsening symptoms and delays in care during the COVID-19 pandemic, Felipe went to urgent care. His oxygen levels were dropping to dangerous levels, and he was sent to the emergency room where a CT scan revealed nodules in his lungs.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. “It was so completely unexpected,” he said. “I was healthy in every way, and I’d never smoked, so getting lung cancer wasn’t something I even thought was possible.”

“I lost my identity”

At the same time, other parts of Felipe’s life were shifting just as dramatically. A flood destroyed his 10,000-square-foot gym overnight, and he was about to turn 65, a big milestone that included a long-time dream of relocating to Florida.

In April 2021, Felipe underwent a lobectomy. The procedure was successful. Physically, he recovered quickly. But what followed was something he hadn’t anticipated.  

In the months following surgery, Felipe expected to return to the life he once knew. Instead, he felt himself drifting further and further away from it. For someone whose life had always been grounded in discipline and driven by purpose, the shift was deeply unsettling.

“I lost my identity,” he said. “I lost my purpose.”

At first, it didn’t have a name; it just showed up in patterns he couldn’t ignore. Overeating, drinking more than he should, not training, constantly consuming news and social media, yet he was still showing up for work, still meeting responsibilities. From the outside, everything looked intact. But inside, something felt off and disconnected.  

“I was just not myself at all,” he shared. “I was in a really dark place.”

Then he came across a description of those behaviors being called “slow suicide.” That stopped him in his tracks. Not because suicide had ever crossed his mind, it hadn’t, but because he recognized the pattern. It was a slow drift, quiet neglect, and disconnection from himself.

That realization pushed him to try to understand what he was actually experiencing. Through research he realized it had a name: high-functioning depression.

A turning point

Felipe doesn’t identify a single moment that changed everything, but rather a more gradual realization that he needed to do something different.

His approach was to return to training, nutrition, and structure, the fundamentals that had served him well throughout his life. He sought out accountability and rebuilt his routines with intention.

Over time, the changes were significant.

“I got into the best shape of my life,” he said, “and I dragged myself out of a dark place while doing it.”

But more importantly, he began to see his experience differently and as an opportunity to return to the life of serving people that had once defined him.

Rethinking “survival”

As people around him began using the word “survivor,” Felipe found himself pushing back against it. To him, it didn’t go far enough.

“Just surviving cancer is a very low bar,” he said.

Felipe believes that for people with early-stage cancer, surviving is not the only endpoint. It can be a beginning. What matters more is how you rebuild, how you take care of yourself, and how you move forward.

A disconnect

As Felipe moved further from treatment, he noticed something that surprised him and inspired his next steps.

“There’s a disconnect between the end of medical care and the re-starting of real life,” he said. “Your appointments become less frequent and the structures that guide you through your diagnosis and treatments fade away.”

What to expect when your care ends isn’t always clearly defined, and for Felipe, that gap seemed like an opportunity to help others navigate what had proven tricky for him.

From experience to action

Felipe hadn’t planned to write a book about his experiences, but as he reflected on what he had gone through, he realized that much of what had helped him to navigate life after cancer wasn’t easy to find in one place.

“There are resources out there,” he said. “But they’re not organized. You have to go find a little bit here, a little bit there, and piece it together yourself.”

What he wanted to create was something different. Not a memoir, and not a set of rigid instructions, but a starting point. A way for people to begin making sense of what comes next.

That idea became his book, “Don’t Call Me a Survivor: Thriving Beyond Cancer.”His book brings together the core elements of training, nutrition, mindset, and accountability, all of which helped him rebuild. It introduces the idea that these things don’t work in isolation.

“Everything has to work in the same direction,” he said. “It’s the synergy of it all coming together that creates big change.”

At its core, the book is about awareness. Helping people recognize that the period after treatment can be just as challenging as the diagnosis itself, and that without structure or support, it’s easy to drift.

From there, the book points toward something more: a path forward. Building something different. After writing the book, Felipe began building something more structured, something that could help others not only understand what they were experiencing but begin to move forward too.

At his gym in South Florida and through his virtual client roster, his approach reflects what he learned through his own experience; that progress doesn’t come from one thing alone.

His “Phoenix Path” model moves from awareness to action, with a 90-day program that offers daily structure, weekly support, and a focus on rebuilding from the ground up.

It’s not about doing everything at once, he emphasizes. It’s about starting where you are.

That might mean starting with health before fitness and building a foundation through nutrition, breathing, and basic movement before pushing further. It might mean rebuilding confidence, rediscovering a sense of purpose, or creating structure where it’s been lost. And it always means meeting people where they are.

“Everything can be improved,” he said, “I help people focus on the fundamentals to feel better in a comprehensive way that’s unique to them, what they’ve been through, and where they want to go.”

Full circle

Earlier this year, Felipe heard from one of the runners from that half marathon where his symptoms first appeared. Now approaching 80, that same runner, Dan, was preparing to complete another half marathon, this time after his own cancer diagnosis.

On May 17, 2026 Felipe joined Dan for that race.

The moment felt full circle in a way he couldn’t have imagined years ago, when he was struggling to understand what was happening in his own body. To run alongside this man again after everything they’ve both been through seemed almost surreal.

For Felipe, this kind of real, human, and hard-earned connection is what it’s all about.

Looking ahead

Today, Felipe continues to train, build, and connect, drawing directly from his experience with lung cancer. He’s also focused on reaching more people, especially those navigating the uncertain space between treatment and whatever comes next.

He still undergoes regular scans, and there is still uncertainty. But his relationship with that uncertainty has changed. Instead of waiting for answers, he focuses on what he can control: how he trains, how he eats, and how he shows up each day.

For Felipe, surviving was never meant to be the end of the story. It was the beginning of a different experience, one rooted not just in getting through, but in moving forward with intention.

Because for him, the real question isn’t whether you survive. It’s what you do next.

A lung cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions, emotions, and uncertainty. GO2 for Lung Cancer's free HelpLine connects you with trained specialists who can provide support, answer questions, and help you find resources along the way. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating survivorship, you don't have to face it alone.

Call us at 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to learn more.

Some insurance plans use a policy called step therapy, sometimes known as fail first. This means some plans may require you to try a lower-cost cancer therapy before they will cover the therapy your healthcare team originally recommended.

Step therapy is not new, but it is getting renewed attention because of recent changes to Medicare Part D could lead some Medicare prescription drug plans to rely more on tools like prior authorization (getting approval before a treatment is covered), formularies (the list of medications a plan covers), and step therapy. Health plans can use step therapy tools to help control costs by encouraging the use of less expensive or preferred medications before covering more expensive treatments.

The good news is that the step therapy policy does not appear to be widely used for many lung cancer drugs today. GO2 is closely monitoring these policy changes to help protect timely access to appropriate treatment. This is especially important in lung cancer because new therapies continue to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), giving patients more treatment options. Lung cancer treatment is often guided by biomarkers. Biomarker testing results help your healthcare team determine which therapy is most appropriate for you, making timely access to that treatment important.

That is why GO2 supports ongoing legislative and policy efforts such as the Safe Step Act. If enacted, the legislation would help protect patients from unnecessary delays by making it easier to receive a timely exception when step therapy is not medically appropriate.

GO2 recently joined coalition letters, including efforts led by the MAPRx Coalition, expressing concern that recent changes to Medicare Part D payment could lead some Medicare prescription drug plans to rely more on tools like step therapy and prior authorization. These policies could make it harder to get the treatment your healthcare team believes is best for you.  

For those interested in learning more, organizations like Aimed Alliance offer resources on step therapy policies, including state laws and patient rights.

GO2 will continue to monitor how these policies are implemented and advocate for approaches that protect timely access to the most appropriate care.

A lung cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions, emotions, and uncertainty. GO2 for Lung Cancer's free HelpLine connects you with trained specialists who can provide support, answer questions, and help you find resources along the way. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating survivorship, you don't have to face it alone.

Call us at 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to learn more.

When Paul Poblete signed up to run the New York City half marathon, he wasn't just chasing a personal goal. Every training run, every early morning, and every mile had a deeper purpose.

Paul joined the GO2 for Lung Cancer Endurance Team to honor his father, who was diagnosed with combined small cell lung cancer (CSCLC) in 2021, and to help make a difference for other families facing the disease.

What started as marathon training became an opportunity to raise awareness, inspire others, and support the lung cancer community in a meaningful way.

We recently caught up with Paul to learn more about what motivated him to join the GO2 Endurance Team, what he learned along the way, and what advice he has for others considering taking on a race for a cause.

Running for something bigger than yourself

For Paul, choosing GO2 as his charity partner was deeply personal.

"My family was directly impacted when my father was diagnosed with CSCLC in 2021," he shared. "I understand the grief and uncertainty that families experience. I wanted to do something that could help make an impact, not only by raising money but also by raising awareness."

Like so many families, Paul's life changed after his father's diagnosis. Training for a marathon became more than a fitness challenge. It became a way to channel his energy into something positive while honoring his father's experience and supporting others navigating lung cancer.

"I wanted to run for a cause that had impacted not just my family, but so many others around the world."

Finding purpose through the GO2 Endurance Team

Training for a marathon requires commitment, discipline, and countless hours on the road. Paul says knowing that every mile represented something bigger than himself helped keep him motivated.

"Having the ability to raise awareness while raising funds for a personal cause was such a fulfilling feeling," he said.

He also appreciated the support provided through the GO2 Endurance Team.

"The organization provided all the resources I needed to have a successful campaign. From fundraising tips and tricks to a dedicated running coach, everything was there. The entire process was a lot of fun."

For Paul, the combination of training, fundraising, and connecting with a community united by a common purpose made the experience especially meaningful.

"Training and contributing to something bigger than myself really kept me grounded and grateful."

Every donation came with a mile

One of the most creative parts of Paul's fundraising campaign was finding a way to personally thank every donor.

He promised to dedicate 1 mile of training for every $10 donated. During those runs, he would give donors a shoutout on social media. For supporters who weren't on social media, he recorded personalized videos during his training runs and sent them directly.

The idea not only encouraged donations but also kept people engaged throughout his marathon journey.

"I was telling everyone that I would dedicate a mile during training for every $10 they donated," Paul explained. "I'd post a story during that run with their shoutout."

The approach quickly gained momentum.

"I even had friends donate just so they could make me run," he laughed.

By consistently sharing updates, celebrating donors, and inviting others into his journey, Paul kept his campaign visible while making every supporter feel like they were part of the experience.

The power of community

While fundraising was an important goal, Paul says one of the biggest surprises was the overwhelming support he received.

"I was surprised by how many people in my network wanted to support the cause, regardless of how close we were."

Many donations also came with something even more meaningful: personal stories.

"A lot of people shared how cancer had impacted their own lives. The support from everyone was inspiring."

Those conversations reminded Paul that lung cancer affects far more people than many realize. His campaign became an opportunity not only to raise funds, but also to create space for people to share their own experiences and honor loved ones.

Advice for future marathon runners

For anyone thinking about tackling a marathon, Paul's advice is to stay patient and enjoy the process.

"Stay consistent, but remember that progress isn't linear," he said. "There will be times when it gets hard, and you'll want to give up, but in the end it will all be worth it."

He also recommends finding others to train alongside.

"Find friends who want to train with you or join a run club. Running with a group makes it much more enjoyable."

Above all, he encourages runners not to lose sight of the experience itself.

"Have fun and enjoy it. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life."

Advice for future fundraisers

Paul's fundraising success also came from being willing to share his story often and in different ways.

His advice?

"Utilize all your resources to spread awareness, from word of mouth to social media, even LinkedIn. Cast a wide net and repost often."

“People want opportunities to support causes that they care about,” he says. “Sometimes they simply need to be asked.”

Creating a fun, interactive campaign helped people feel personally connected to his fundraising goals and kept the momentum going from start to finish.

Ready to run for hope?

Whether you're an experienced runner chasing your next marathon or someone looking for a new challenge with purpose, the GO2 Endurance Team offers an opportunity to turn every mile into hope for people affected by lung cancer.

As Paul's story shows, fundraising is about much more than reaching a finish line. It's about honoring loved ones, building community, raising awareness, and helping create a future with better outcomes for everyone affected by lung cancer.

Join the GO2 Endurance Team and help us confront lung cancer one mile at a time

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Leslie lives in St. Augustine, FL with her husband, Ken, and their elderly rescue cat. Her children are grown and live in Maryland and Washington, DC. When not traveling, Leslie can be found soaking up the sunshine at the nearby beach. 

When Leslie's cough wouldn't go away, she did what most people would do; she went to her doctor. Then she went back again. And again.

She tried antibiotics and inhalers from her allergist, but nothing helped. Meanwhile, the cough worsened, her breathing became more difficult, and the active lifestyle she loved started slipping away. At the time, Leslie was teaching fitness classes, yet suddenly she found herself struggling to catch her breath.

As the weeks passed, Leslie became increasingly concerned. Her lymph nodes had become noticeably swollen, and she was getting sicker by the day. Although her primary care physician finally ordered a chest CT scan, the appointment was weeks away.

Friends urged her to stop waiting, and finally she listened. She drove herself to a nearby emergency room (ER), expecting to learn she had pneumonia or some other explanation for her symptoms. Instead, a CT scan performed at the hospital revealed a mass in her lung.

“Here’s why you can’t breathe”

The doctor in the ER returned to her room carrying a piece of paper.

"He said, 'I have good news. Your blood work is normal, and your COVID test is negative,’” Leslie remembered. “Then he handed me the scan results and said, 'Here's why you can't breathe.'"

Reading the report herself, Leslie saw the words "lung mass."

"I started screaming, 'Am I going to die?'"

Alone in the hospital room, she called her husband in a panic. Then, something remarkable happened. Her next-door neighbor, an oncologist, happened to be on call that day.

"She walked into my room, and it was like an angel at my bedside," Leslie said.

Her neighbor sat with her, held her hand, and said, “we’ll figure this out together.” Those words became an anchor during one of the most frightening moments of her life.

Finding hope in biomarker testing

A biopsy soon confirmed that Leslie had lung cancer. Because the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes, doctors knew it was advanced. Like many people diagnosed with stage 4 (IV) lung cancer, Leslie immediately feared the worst.

"All I could think was, 'I'm going to die. Am I going to see my daughters get married? Do I want to be buried or cremated? What’s going to happen to me?' My brain just spiraled."

Her neighbor, however, knew there was another important piece of information still to come: biomarker testing. The wait was agonizing. When a lab error delayed her results for nearly a month, she spent long days sitting outside in the sunshine, reading books, and trying to keep her mind occupied.

When the results finally came through, her neighbor actually printed them out and walked them over to Leslie’s house. She said, "This is good news!" 

Leslie's cancer had tested positive for an ALK biomarker, and she heard a phrase that many people with ALK-positive lung cancer have heard before.

"You've won the cancer lottery."

At first, the statement felt impossible to understand.

"It didn't feel like I was winning any lottery," Leslie said.

But as her doctors explained what the ALK biomarker meant, Leslie began to understand. Advances in targeted therapies were allowing many people with ALK-positive lung cancer to live much longer and better than ever before. For the first time since her diagnosis, she felt a glimmer of hope.

The worst club you never wanted to join

Not long after her diagnosis, Leslie discovered the ALK Positive support community, a patient-founded and patient-driven nonprofit organization committed to transforming the future for everyone affected by ALK-positive cancer. No doctor had suggested it. She found it herself. The impact they had on her was profound.

"The ALK Positive group saved my life," she said.

At the time, Leslie was preparing to undergo radiation treatment for brain metastases. She already had the mask made and appointments scheduled. Then, members of the ALK Positive community encouraged her to pause and ask more questions.

"They said, 'Wait. Let the treatment work first.'"

After discussing options with her medical team, Leslie decided to hold off. It turned out to be a good decision. The targeted therapy worked. Her brain metastases responded without radiation.

For Leslie, it was an early lesson in the power of connecting with others who had walked the same path. She found people who had been living with ALK-positive lung cancer for as long as 10 years or more. She found friendships, practical advice, and reassurance that life could eventually feel normal again.

"You won't always be thinking about cancer," people told her. "It gets better."

They were right. Today, Leslie regularly attends ALK Positive events and has formed close friendships within the community.

"Lung cancer is the worst club you never wanted to join," she said, “but we have the best members.”

Learning to accept help

If there was another unexpected gift in the midst of Leslie's diagnosis, it was discovering just how deeply she was loved.

After Leslie’s diagnosis, her people started to show up for her in important and practical ways. Friends delivered meals. Cards arrived in the mail. Flowers showed up at her door. People researched treatment options, shared resources, and offered support in every way they could.

"The kindness was overwhelming," she said.

At first, Leslie found that accepting help felt uncomfortable. Over time, however, she realized that allowing people to help was a gift for them, too.

Looking back, Leslie describes the experience in a way she has never forgotten.

"It's almost like I died and I was at my own funeral," she said. "It was such a gift. I got to see how much people love me while I'm alive."

During the hardest period of her life, she experienced something beautiful.

"I felt like the luckiest person because who gets to experience that? Most people don't get to know how loved they are and how much they’ve meant to people."

Leslie’s friends across the world also helped her raise over $8,000 last year to donate to ALK Positive, which has contributed to the over $10.8 million in patient research funding since 2017. She is beyond grateful for their support of research.

Looking toward the future

Today, Leslie and her husband have retired and moved to Florida, a decision influenced in part by her diagnosis. Rather than waiting for someday, they're embracing the life they had always hoped to build. There are home projects to finish. Trips to plan. New adventures to take. She’s planning for the future in ways she never expected when she was first diagnosed.  

Leslie is also participating in a clinical trial that is exploring new ways to prevent resistance to targeted therapies. The experience has deepened her appreciation for the researchers and physicians working to improve outcomes for people living with lung cancer.

"The research gives me so much hope," she said.

Less than 2 years ago, Leslie was wondering if she would live long enough to see her daughters' futures unfold. Today, she's busy planning her own.

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When we try to characterize small cell lung cancer (SCLC), we typically define it by its stage, either extensive stage or limited stage. We don't often delve further than that; that's about as specific as we'll hear. However, you may be surprised to learn that there are actually 4 unique subtypes of small cell lung cancer, each with its own characteristics. The reason these aren't often discussed, though, is that for a while we weren't certain what this information meant. Yes, there are differences among these 4 types at the cellular level, but what does that really mean for the person living with the disease? In recent years, though, this has begun to change. Scientists have been working to uncover how these small differences can potentially have a great impact on the future of personalized medicine and small cell lung cancer. Here, we'll discuss a little bit about each of these 4 subtypes, and how the treatment landscape may shift to accommodate them in the future.

To differentiate the types of SCLC, we have to look at the different proteins that are inside of the cancer cells. These special proteins can help determine how the genes of the cancer cells express themselves, which in turn can impact how these cells grow, reproduce, and react within the body. By taking a blood sample and looking at the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to examine these factors, doctors and scientists can see what type of subtype a person's SCLC is.

SCLC Subtype-A

These are SCLC type cancers where there is a high expression in the cells of a factor called ASCL1. This is the most common subtype, found in between 40% and 50% of cases. Some early research shows that this subtype might be more susceptible to a type of drug called BL-2 inhibitors. These drugs work by blocking a protein inside of the cells that can then cause the cell to die. Some research suggests that this sub-type, after treatment with chemotherapy, may convert to sub-type I (discussed lower down).  

SCLC Subtype-N

This subtype means that a person's SCLC cells have a lot of the factor NEUROD1. This factor is important to helping certain specialized cells grow and function within the body, and it is found in high levels in many cases of extensive-stage disease. This subtype is found in about 20% of SCLC cancers. While this subtype can mean the cancer is a bit faster in how it grows and spreads, it is also more sensitive to treatment with a type of drug called Aura-Kinase inhibitors. These are still in trials for SCLC, and we are monitoring the progress of this research for future uses.  

SCLC Subtype-P

Having the subtype of SCLC-P indicates that your cancer has higher levels of the POU2F3 factor. This is a factor used by specialized cells that line the respiratory and digestive systems. In healthy cells, this helps them to recognize foreign bodies and protect against them, but when mutated, it can drive the subtype of SCLC. It's a bit rarer than those described above and is in 12% to 15% of cases. Fortunately, research is beginning to show that this type of SCLC may respond better to a class of experimental drugs called PARP inhibitors. These drugs, though still in trial, have been shown to stop the damaged DNA in cancer cells from replicating, preventing the spread of more cancerous cells.  

SCLC Subtype-I

Finally, our last class of SCLC subtypes is SCLC-I. This stands for inflamed SCLC, and indicates that, rather than having higher levels of certain proteins, the cells have a lot of inflammation occurring, and a high level of immune cells within the environment. Because of this, research has shown that this subtype may have a stronger response to immunotherapy agents than other small cell lung cancers. This is a less common class of SCLC, found in about 10-15% of cases.  

It is important to know that, when looking at how these sub-types may affect a person's prognosis, there was no difference noted in the length of a person's overall and progression free survival. This means that having one subtype over another doesn't seem to have an impact on how long they will live, or how serious their disease might be. As shown above though, it can impact what treatment types may be more effective, and can help oncologists think about which types of treatment they should try first. It can also useful when a person is considering clinical trials that they may want to join.

If you want to learn more about managing small cell lung cancer and what options are available, please reach out to us. GO2’s HelpLine is a free, one-on-one service that connects patients and caregivers with experienced staff who can provide guidance, resources, and, most importantly, hope!  

References:

1. Baine MK, Febres-Aldana CA, Chang JC, Jungbluth AA, Sethi S, Antonescu CR, Travis WD, Hsieh MS, Roh MS, Homer RJ, Ladanyi M, Egger JV, Lai WV, Rudin CM, Rekhtman N. POU2F3 in SCLC: Clinicopathologic and Genomic Analysis With a Focus on Its Diagnostic Utility in Neuroendocrine-Low SCLC. J Thorac Oncol. 2022 Sep;17(9):1109-1121. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2022.06.004. Epub 2022 Jun 24. PMID: 35760287; PMCID: PMC9427708.

2. Dahlstrom, Erin. “Advances in Small Cell Lung Cancer Classification.” MD Anderson Cancer Center, 25 Nov. 2024, www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/advances-in-small-cell-lung-cancer-classification.h00-159702279.html.

3. Schwendenwein A, Megyesfalvi Z, Barany N, Valko Z, Bugyik E, Lang C, Ferencz B, Paku S, Lantos A, Fillinger J, Rezeli M, Marko-Varga G, Bogos K, Galffy G, Renyi-Vamos F, Hoda MA, Klepetko W, Hoetzenecker K, Laszlo V, Dome B. Molecular profiles of small cell lung cancer subtypes: therapeutic implications. Mol Ther Oncolytics. 2021 Feb 6;20:470-483. doi: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.02.004. PMID: 33718595; PMCID: PMC7917449.

4. The Asco Post Staff. “Study Identifies Four Unique Subtypes of Small Cell Lung Cancer.” Ascopost.com, 2026, ascopost.com/news/january-2021/study-identifies-four-unique-subtypes-of-small-cell-lung-cancer/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

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Donna Thompson is a 3-time survivor of early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer, thriving more than a decade since her first diagnosis. After 2 surgeries to remove portions of her right lung, she carries forward an experience that deepens her commitment to lung cancer awareness, mental health advocacy, and building supportive communities. Donna shares her story to inspire hope, reduce stigma, and elevate survivor voices. Her advocacy spans education, outreach, and research collaboration within the lung cancer community. She speaks at wellness and community events, using her experience to empower others navigating illness and recovery. Professionally, Donna is the director of Human Resources and a SHRM Certified HR leader, known for leading with empathy and practical insight, and supporting people through complex workplace challenges. She finds strength - literally and emotionally - through faith, fitness training, and time in nature. For her, movement is medicine, and advocacy is a calling rooted in compassion and resilience.

Donna remembers the exact moment everything changed. It was September 2015, and she went to the emergency room for something else entirely. Her blood sugar was dangerously high, and she wasn’t feeling right. They ran tests, monitored her, and sent her home. The next day, the ER doctor called her and said the radiologist saw a mass in her lung and that she should have it checked out right away.  

At 45 years old, and having no smoking history, lung cancer wasn’t on her radar. It wasn’t on anyone else’s either.

“Everyone I talked to was like, ‘You’re too young. You’ve never smoked. This is probably not lung cancer.’”

But within 5 weeks, after scans, a biopsy, and what she still calls “the longest 5 weeks of my life,” Donna had her answer. It was lung cancer after all.  

"The best possible situation”

Looking back, Donna sees the moments that led to her lung cancer diagnosis a little differently.

“I always say that was God getting my attention, whispering to me in the quiet, still moments," she said.

The tumor was stage 2 (II) and operable. In many ways, it was the best-case scenario for a diagnosis no one expected. Her surgical team moved quickly.

“She told me, ‘This is the best possible situation. It’s in a good location. We can take it out.’”

By the end of November, just 2 months after that ER visit, Donna had surgery, and for a moment, it felt like the worst might already be behind her.

When the plan changes

Initially, Donna was told she wouldn’t need chemotherapy. The surgery had been successful, her margins were clean, and everything pointed in the right direction.

Then the pathology report came back. It showed that her tumor was more complex than expected. It was an unusual form of adenocarcinoma that didn’t behave in typical ways. Her case was sent to multiple cancer centers, and the recommendation shifted.

“I remember my surgeon calling me herself,” Donna said. “She said, ‘I told you one thing, and now it’s changing, and I need to explain that to you.’”

A second opinion confirmed it: chemotherapy was recommended. Donna agreed, but her body had other plans.

When treatment becomes the crisis

“Every time I got chemo, I ended up in the ER,” she said. “Something was always going wrong.”

After just two treatments, it was clear that this wasn’t sustainable. Her oncologist made the call.

“He said, ‘Your body can’t handle this. We’re done.’”

It was a moment that carried both relief and uncertainty. The treatment meant to protect her was, instead, putting her in danger. And so, once again, Donna adjusted.

“I didn’t survive to be basic.”

In the months that followed, Donna made a decision that would shape everything that came next.

“I didn’t survive to be basic,” she said.  

Instead, she poured herself into her health and started working with a trainer, changing her diet, and reclaiming a sense of control over her body.

“I got into the best shape of my life,” she said. “I came off medications. My A1C went back to normal. Everything changed.”

But the transformation wasn’t just physical. It was also about identity.

“The cancer gave me more than it took from me,” she said. “I learned who I am, how strong I can be, and what I really need in the world. I learned what and who are important to me. It put such a clear focus on what I want for my life.”  

Finding community and belonging

Still, parts of the experience felt isolating.

“I kept meeting people, and they were all stage 4 (IV),” she said. “I felt like, am I even supposed to be here?”

She was grateful for her outcome, but that gratitude came with a quiet tension.

“I didn’t want to take up space in their groups,” she said. “But I still needed support too.”

And there was something else. “I didn’t see anyone who looked like me.”

It wasn’t until years later, through social media connections, introductions, and small group conversations, that Donna found what she had been missing: a close-knit circle of Black women who truly understood her experience.

“We started meeting regularly, talking, and supporting each other,” she said. “There’s something about being with people who understand you completely without you having to explain that changes everything. They know what they did for me, and what we do for one another. Finally, I had community.”

A second diagnosis, and a different reality

For nearly 7 years, Donna focused on moving forward, rebuilding, and holding onto the belief that she had come through something and grown because of it.

Then, in 2022, everything shifted again. This time, it wasn’t a symptom that sent her back to treatment. It was a scan.

“My scans went from showing nothing to showing a tumor the same size as my first diagnosis,” she said. “I was just so shocked because I wasn’t expecting anything.”

As Donna began to piece together what had happened, the story became even more complicated. The tumor hadn’t appeared overnight. When her new care team reviewed her prior scans, they discovered that the growth had been visible as far back as 2018, but it had been missed.

The radiologist who originally read the scan had not flagged it, and even more concerning, it became clear that her oncologist had never reviewed the images directly.  

“That was the moment for me,” Donna said. “I realized no one had really been looking out for me the way they should have. I felt like a number, and I’m a relationship person. This matters to me.”

It was a turning point, not just medically, but emotionally. What initially felt like a sudden recurrence became something harder to process. It was a missed opportunity for earlier intervention.

Another treatment crisis

This time, Donna’s treatment plan included a targeted therapy designed specifically for EGFR-positive lung cancer that would allow her to take a lower dose of chemo, which they hoped she would tolerate better. It felt like progress and a better path.

But after a second surgery, adjuvant chemo, and introducing the new treatment, her body began to struggle again in a different and even more frightening way, this time in response to the targeted therapy.

After multiple attempts to adjust the dosage, the new medicine ultimately led to kidney failure, a serious complication that forced yet another shift in her care and another redefinition of what “moving forward” would look like.

It was also the moment that changed how Donna understood her own story.

“I used to say that cancer gave me more than it took from me,” she said. “And I believed that until my kidneys failed. Recovering from that took nearly all I had. I’m still trying to fully move on from how traumatic that year was.”

“I also have to remind myself how remarkable it was that I overcame this,” she said. “My nephrologist said my recovery was miraculous, and it does feel like a total miracle now.”

Living in the in-between

Today, Donna is once again in a place that many people with lung cancer know all too well: waiting.  

In July 2025, after recovering from kidney failure, her care team radiated 2 new spots. They chose radiation because it was the gentlest option for her. Recent scans have shown new nodules that Donna and her care team are just watching, for now.  

“They’re watching them and trying to decide what to do next,” she said. “And with my treatment history, not every option feels like a good one.”

It’s not a crisis. But it’s not clarity, either, and Donna finds herself struggling with living in this place of uncertainty.  

“I like to have a plan, and I like to know what we’re going to do. I’m finding it very hard for me to just wait and see.”

Still choosing more

Through her diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, and all the unexpected turns in between, Donna has held onto a simple mindset:

“I didn’t survive to be basic.”

It’s a phrase that stuck with her early on and has continued to shape how she moves through each new chapter. And for Donna, that means continuing to choose a full life, even in the unknown.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, know that you're not alone. Our HelpLine provides free, one-on-one support to people impacted by the disease. Call 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to connect. Our team is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. ET/6 a.m.-2 p.m. PT.

At the 2026 GO2 for Lung Cancer Voices Summit in Washington, DC, Christine M. Lovly, MD, PhD, FASCO, Division Chief of Thoracic Medical Oncology at City of Hope, shared a powerful message: the future of lung cancer care is being rewritten, and real progress is being made faster than ever before.

In her keynote, “Precision, Progress, Partnerships, and Possibility in Lung Cancer,” Dr. Lovly highlighted how science, advocacy, and collaboration are transforming outcomes for people living with lung cancer. “Every person in this room has a lung cancer story,” she said, recognizing those living with lung cancer, caregivers, advocates, and researchers working together to drive change.

That shared purpose is what continues to move the field forward.

A turning point in lung cancer treatment

Not long ago, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment options were limited. In the early 2000s, people with advanced NSCLC lived an average of about 8 months.

Today, we are in a different era.

Advances in precision medicine, which is treatment that is tailored to the individual person, have transformed NSCLC care. It was once thought that lung cancer was a single disease, but through biomarker testing, we can now identify subtypes of NSCLC. When a person is found to have certain biomarkers such as EGFR, ALK, KRAS, and others, targeted therapies are available. These treatments target specific biomarkers and stop lung cancer from growing and spreading.

The impact is profound. Many people with advanced lung cancer are now living for years with good quality of life and outcomes that once felt out of reach.

But Dr. Lovly emphasized that continued progress depends on ongoing investment in federal research. She expressed concern about how funding reductions and uncertainty at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) could affect the pace and stability of cancer research. When studies are paused or clinical trials are delayed, progress can slow for patients who are waiting for new treatment options. Sustained federal investment in research plays a critical role in supporting clinical trials, which drive continued advances in lung cancer care.

The role of immunotherapy in lung cancer progress

In addition to targeted therapies, immunotherapy has reshaped what’s possible for many people living with lung cancer.

These treatments work by helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer. A type of immunotherapy called a checkpoint inhibitor has greatly improved outcomes and has expanded treatment options across lung cancer stages.

Still, Dr. Lovly emphasized that progress cannot be measured by numbers alone.

“Life lived is equally as important,” she said, a reminder that quality of life must remain central to every advance.

At GO2, we know this is what matters most. It means more time, better days, and meaningful moments for people living with lung cancer and their families.

Ongoing challenges in lung cancer care

Despite this progress, too many people are still diagnosed at later stages, when treatment options are more limited.

Dr. Lovly outlined several key challenges that continue to impact outcomes:

• Low lung cancer screening rates, leading to late diagnoses

• Limited access to biomarker testing and expert care

• Health differences based on location and income

• Drug resistance, as cancer cells adapt and survive treatments  

• Gaps in research funding that limit progress

Despite causing more deaths than many other cancers, lung cancer research has historically received less funding. Dr. Lovly highlighted this as a major barrier to continued progress as it requires urgent action from all of us.

The future of lung cancer research

There is also real momentum and reason for hope.

New treatments, including next-generation KRAS inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates, are expanding options for people.

Emerging tools like liquid biopsy are making it easier to detect and monitor cancer through a simple blood test, helping bring precision medicine to more people.

At the same time, AI and new clinical trial designs are helping people access new treatments faster.

The science is moving forward quickly, but as Dr. Lovly made clear, discovery alone isn’t enough.

Impact through advocacy

“Innovation is not our barrier. Implementation is,” Dr. Lovly said.

We already have many of the tools needed to save lives. The challenge is making sure every person with lung cancer, no matter who they are or where they live, can access them.

Where we go from here: More resources, more action

To continue progress, Dr. Lovly emphasized the need for more resources. Top priorities include:

• Expand access to lung cancer screening  

• Increase research funding  

• Improve clinical trial participation  

• Ensuring a variety of people join research studies

• Support research on survivorship

• Strengthen the cancer care workforce  

These priorities reflect where the lung cancer community must focus next and where we can make the greatest impact.

The story is still being written

Dr. Lovly closed with a powerful reminder that reflects the heart of the lung cancer community:

“Every treatment we use today exists because people chose hope over fear and participated in research that helped all of us learn.”

The story of lung cancer is still being written. And as Dr. Lovly emphasized, people with lung cancer and advocates are not simply part of that story. They are helping lead it.

The lung cancer community can continue to make a difference by contacting lawmakers and supporting policies that accelerate research, expand access to care, and improve outcomes. Take action today.

When Rachel S. talks about her mom, Jan, you can still feel the energy she brought into every room. Jan was hilarious, dramatic in the best way, endlessly curious, and deeply kind, the type of person who made everyone feel special. She loved through food, through knitting, and through gathering people together.

In late September 2024, Rachel and her family were blindsided by a stage 4 (IV) lung cancer diagnosis. Just months later, on January 17, 2025, Jan passed away. The loss was sudden and devastating, but her spark never faded.

Today, Rachel and her family honor Jan’s life by coming together each year at GO2’s Sacramento 5K Walk/Run in her memory, turning grief into connection and action. We sat down with Rachel to learn more about her mom’s life, legacy, and the impact she continues to have on everyone who loved her.

Tell us about Jan

If I were introducing my mom at a gathering, there’s a strong chance people would already know her – or she would have already made herself known. She was genuinely hilarious. The kind of person who could tell a story and have an entire table crying with laughter. She was loud in the best way, dramatic, animated, obsessed with true crime, and completely unafraid to strike up a conversation with anyone. People loved her. I mean truly loved her. She had fans. But underneath all of that personality was someone deeply kind and interested in people. She made you feel special. That was her magic.

What were some of the things she was most passionate about – hobbies, traditions, routines, or little quirks that made her her?

After I left for college, her best friend taught her to knit. That turned into hundreds of beanies and blankets for family, friends, grandchildren – even cancer organizations. She was also the quintessential Jewish mom – an incredible cook and host. Holidays and gatherings at our house were sacred. Feeding people was how she loved them.

Can you share a moment or memory that feels especially representative of who she was?

My mom would move mountains for my sister and me. In 1998 she surprised us with Backstreet Boys tickets and a trip to Las Vegas – and then surprised us again with a second night and front row seats. That kind of over-the-top joy was so her. After she passed, they announced a Vegas residency, and my dad, sister, and I went. It felt like she made it happen.

When she was diagnosed, what do you remember most about that time – emotionally or practically — for your family?

It was a living nightmare. One day she was healthy, and the next we were told it was stage 4 (IV) lung cancer. By the time we had answers in late September, tumors had fractured her spine, and she was in bed until she passed on January 17, 2025.

Everything was hard. She couldn’t move, so every appointment required enormous coordination. We were incredibly fortunate to have neighbors and lifelong friends who stepped up in extraordinary ways.

Even with that support, it was overwhelming. There are so many unknowns with a diagnosis like this, which is why guidance and community around lung cancer matter so much.

How did she approach life in the months that followed her diagnosis?

She was still herself. Sassy. Funny. Curious. Even from bed, she wanted to know all of the gossip. She still made jokes. That spark never left her.  

What kind of impact did she have on her family, friends, and neighbors?

The number of people who showed up for her and for us told me everything I needed to know about her impact.

She built real relationships. With neighbors. With lifelong friends. With our friends. With people she met once and somehow remembered forever. She made people feel seen and important. That kind of energy doesn’t disappear.

Since her passing, how have you seen her legacy live on in your family or community?

Her knitting is everywhere. Her recipes are still in rotation. We still host. We still gather.

But more than anything, she changed how we live. There’s a depth now. A perspective you don’t get unless you’ve experienced loss like this. We don’t sweat the small stuff the same way anymore.

Can you describe what motivated you to participate in GO2’s Sacramento 5K Walk/Run in her honor?

Grief is disorienting. I needed community and I needed direction. I needed to turn heartbreak into action. If I couldn’t save my mom, I wanted to help save someone else’s. Leading the 5K in her honor felt like the most meaningful way to do that.

What does it mean to you to have family and friends come together at this event to celebrate her life?

We formed our team just a month after she passed. It was still so raw, but we needed it.

Seeing that many people show up for her – walking, donating, wearing her name – was incredibly healing. It reminded us how much she meant and that we were helping fund real progress in her honor.

How does this event help shift the narrative around lung cancer from loss and stigma to community, celebration, and hope?

Cancer is everywhere. It’s happening younger. It’s happening to nonsmokers. It’s happening to people who “did everything right. “Events like this help dissolve isolation. They replace stigma with community. They remind families that they are not alone. And, they fund real progress.

Grief can be incredibly lonely. This makes it collective, and collective grief can become collective hope.

If you had to sum up what you hope readers understand about your mom, what would you want them to take away?

There will never be enough time with the people we love. My mom lived loudly, generously, and with joy. I hope people step away from the noise of daily life and remember that right now is what we have. Don’t wait to show up. Don’t wait to say the thing. Live bigger while you can.

Honor your loved ones by joining a GO2 5K Walk/Run near you, or by starting your own team. Every step helps fund programs, research, and resources that ensure no one faces lung cancer alone. Find an event and join us!   

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At GO2 for Lung Cancer, helping patients and families is at the heart of what we do. Our support services connect people to trusted information, help them navigate care, and offer guidance during difficult moments.

At the same time, GO2 also works behind the scenes on health policy. This work focuses on the laws and decisions that shape whether people can get screened, see the right specialists, afford treatment, and receive follow-up care. Together, direct support and policy advocacy help ensure that people affected by lung cancer can get the care they need when they need it.

Expanding access to lung cancer screening

Early detection saves lives. That’s why expanding access to lung cancer screening is one of GO2’s top priorities.

Rules about who qualifies for lung cancer screening can make a big difference. These guidelines decide who is eligible for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans and whether insurance covers the cost. When screening rules are too narrow or outdated, some people who are still at high risk may not be able to get screened.

GO2 is closely engaged as national screening recommendations come up for review. These reviews are important opportunities to update guidelines based on new research and real-world experience. Today, some individuals—such as certain people with a smoking history—may still face a higher risk of lung cancer but do not meet current screening criteria.

GO2 also works to ensure that Medicare coverage keeps pace with updated screening guidance. This is especially important for older adults who are more likely to develop lung cancer. When coverage rules do not match current medical guidance, people may face delays or barriers to screening that could help detect cancer earlier.

Through ongoing advocacy, GO2 works to ensure that lung cancer screening guidelines and coverage policies reflect current real-world evidence and updated clinical guidelines, so more people who could benefit from screening are able to access it.

Ensuring access to timely diagnosis and biomarker testing

Screening is only the first step in the lung cancer care experience. When a suspicious finding appears on a scan, patients need timely diagnostic evaluation and testing to determine the best path forward.

An important part of this process is biomarker testing, which analyzes a tumor’s genetic features to help doctors identify treatments that may work best for a specific patient. Many modern lung cancer treatments depend on these results, making timely access to testing critical for guiding treatment decisions.

GO2 works to improve access to biomarker testing through both policy and system-level efforts. This includes supporting state legislation that helps ensure insurance coverage for biomarker testing and advocating for its inclusion in state cancer plans and other cancer control initiatives.

By advancing policies and best practices that support timely and appropriate testing, GO2 helps provide patients and their care teams with the information they need to choose the most effective treatment options.

GO2 also works with national partners and policymakers to advance policies that support appropriate biomarker testing and ensure that patients across the country can benefit from the latest advances in precision medicine.

Supporting access throughout the care journey

Access challenges don’t stop after screening. Many policies affect care at every stage from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up and survivorship. GO2 works to ensure these policies support patients rather than create new obstacles.

One important tool is telehealth. Telehealth allows patients to talk with healthcare providers by phone or video, making it easier to have screening conversations, meet with specialists, manage care, and check in after treatment. For people who live far from cancer centers, have trouble traveling, or juggle work and family responsibilities, telehealth can make care more reachable.

As healthcare rules continue to change, GO2 advocates for telehealth policies that are practical, fair, and patient-friendly. The goal is to make sure virtual care remains an option, especially when it helps patients stay connected to the care they need.

Making sure the patient voice is heard

GO2 also works with other patient advocacy organizations to strengthen the patient voice in health policy discussions. By working together, patient groups can raise shared concerns and help decision-makers understand how policies affect real people.

This teamwork helps ensure that lung cancer needs are considered in broader healthcare decisions especially when policies are designed for many conditions at once but may affect cancer patients in unique ways.

Improving affordability of lung cancer treatment

The cost of treatment is a major concern for many people facing lung cancer. GO2 closely follows changes to Medicare drug coverage and pricing rules that affect how much patients pay for their medications.

Recent changes to federal law are reshaping how prescription drug costs are handled under Medicare. GO2’s policy work focuses on making sure these changes truly help patients afford their medications without limiting access to the treatments their doctors recommend.

By monitoring how new rules are put into practice, GO2 works to identify and address any unintended consequences that could make it harder for patients to get the care they need.

Addressing insurance barriers when they arise

Sometimes, even when guidelines and policies are in place, insurance coverage decisions can still create problems for patients. When this happens, GO2 speaks up.

GO2 engages directly with health plans when coverage rules or restrictions limit access to needed cancer treatments, especially for people with rare or specific types of lung cancer. These efforts focus on ensuring that coverage decisions keep pace with medical advances and recognize that different patients need different treatments.

This kind of targeted advocacy helps reinforce a simple but important message: cancer care should be guided by medical evidence and individual patient needs—not one-size-fits-all rules.

One goal: Helping patients get the care they need

Whether providing direct support to patients, advocating for expanded screening, protecting access to care tools like telehealth, working to improve affordability, or addressing insurance barriers, GO2’s work is guided by one goal: helping people affected by lung cancer access timely, high-quality care.

Some of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every day. GO2 remains committed to supporting patients and families—both through direct services and through advocacy that helps make the healthcare system work better for everyone affected by lung cancer. Learn more about our advocacy work.