Women

Brenda S. didn’t expect anything unusual from her visit to her primary care physician. It was the kind of routine appointment she had done many times before. It was a standard check-in, familiar questions, nothing out of the ordinary. Brenda had lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for years and understood what it meant to manage a chronic illness, but aside from that, she considered herself healthy. Lung cancer was not on her radar.

And yet, that appointment marked the beginning of an experience that would change her life.

“You better get another opinion.”

Brenda’s experience with lung cancer stands out because it didn’t follow the path so many others know too well.  

“A lot of times people are diagnosed at a pretty late stage,” she explained. “I was one of the lucky ones to get diagnosed early.”  

That early diagnosis, however, didn’t come easily or immediately, and it didn’t come without persistence.

During that initial visit, something caught her doctor’s attention. Tests followed, and eventually, her doctor discovered a nodule. Brenda was told that it was benign. On the surface, that should have been the end of the story. Relief is the word most people would expect to describe that moment.

But relief wasn’t the whole truth.

“I remember just saying, please, please don’t let it be cancer,” Brenda recalled. And when she heard the word benign, she wanted to believe it completely. Yet underneath the reassurance, there was a feeling she couldn’t shake. “Deep inside, it was nagging,” she said. “It was like… I don’t know, sister, you’d better get another opinion.”

Brenda tried to move forward. Life went on. But that quiet inner voice didn’t disappear.

A gut feeling and rare early diagnosis

Brenda and her partner, Alice.

Nearly a year later, she developed a cough. It might have been easy to dismiss. After all, coughs are common, especially when life is busy and family visits. But that timing turned out to matter. Among the relatives in town was a nurse, someone trained to notice what others might overlook. She pulled Brenda’s partner Alice aside and said plainly: “This needs to be checked.”

That moment was pivotal.

Brenda listened. She followed up. And this time, the outcome was different.

The cancer was found early, something Brenda doesn’t take lightly. Early detection gave her options, time, and the ability to approach treatment without the urgency and limitations that come with a late-stage diagnosis. She knows how rare that is in lung cancer, and she doesn’t call herself lucky casually.

Her story is a reminder that diagnosis is not always a single moment, but a series of decisions—some small, some difficult—that add up. It’s about trusting medical expertise, yes, but also trusting yourself. Brenda’s experience underscores how critical self-advocacy can be, especially when something doesn’t sit right, even if the initial answer seems reassuring.

Living fully

Beyond her diagnosis, Brenda is someone defined by far more than cancer. One of the joys woven throughout her life has always been singing. Whether performing when she was younger or sharing music in more personal settings, singing has long been part of who she is. Today, Brenda has found her way back to jazz singing, a return that feels especially meaningful. Being back in that space, reconnecting with music and performance, has brought her renewed joy and vitality. Singing is an expression of creativity, resilience, and presence, qualities that carried her through uncertainty and continue to ground her now.

Cancer has a way of narrowing focus, of making life feel smaller. Brenda’s story pushes back against that. It’s not just about what she faced, but about how she continues to live fully, with gratitude and purpose. Returning to jazz is not about going back to who she was before but embracing who she is now. She speaks openly, not because the moments leading to her diagnosis were easy, but because she hopes her experience might help someone else pause, ask another question, or seek a second opinion when something feels off.

She’s also quick to express appreciation for her doctors, for her family, and for the advocates and organizations working to change the lung cancer narrative. “Thank you to GO2 for Lung Cancer for the work you are doing,” she said. “I’m here, whatever I can do.”

Brenda’s experience is a powerful reminder that early detection saves lives, that listening to your instincts matters, and that sometimes the most important voice to hear is the quiet one telling you to look again.

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. Whether it’s questions about getting a second opinion, biomarker testing, screening, treatment options, or simply needing someone to listen, the HelpLine is here to make sure you know you are not alone. Call 1-800-298-2436 or email ‍ support@go2.org to get started. 

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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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The lung cancer community is mourning the loss of Bonnie J. Addario, who passed away on August 25, 2025, at the age of 77. She leaves behind her beloved husband of over 40 years, Tony; her children Danielle, Jared, and Andrea; 9 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren—each of whom she nurtured with boundless joy, humor, and unconditional love.

She was a co-founder and leader of GO2 for Lung Cancer, founder of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF), and co-founder of the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALMCI).  

When diagnosis becomes purpose

In October 2003, Bonnie received a stage 3B (IIIB) lung cancer diagnosis, transforming her life forever. Facing grim odds, she did not retreat. Instead, she assembled a multidisciplinary medical team—a thoracic surgeon, oncologists, pulmonologists, radiation specialists—to carve out a survival plan.  

“If I am going to die from this disease, I don’t want it to be because I did nothing,” she later declared.

Her personal experience ignited a mission: to ensure others would not walk that path alone. With the same fierce compassion she carried into every part of her life, Bonnie founded ALCF in March 2006, proclaiming, “Enough is enough!”

Building on her vision for patient-centered care, Bonnie co-founded GO2 for Lung Cancer, which formed through the merger of ALCF and Lung Cancer Alliance. Through GO2, she worked to ensure that the voices of patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates were heard, while fostering collaboration with researchers, industry, and public health leaders. Her approach was guided by a “community-centric” philosophy to support the lung cancer community.  

From personal experience to patient advocacy

Bonnie’s story began well before her advocacy work. She was a gifted businesswoman who shattered barriers in industries historically dominated by men. As President of Olympian Oil and Commercial Fueling Network (CFN), she led with vision, grace, and tenacity, earning admiration for her leadership and innovation. The resilience and strategic thinking she honed in business would soon become invaluable in facing one of life’s greatest challenges.

For Bonnie, everything began and ended with patients. She knew lung cancer was not just a medical condition but a deeply human one, and she was determined to make sure no one ever felt alone. Her vision was both simple and revolutionary: put patients at the center of every decision, every discovery, and every conversation.

She built a roadmap where none existed, pioneering resources that empowered patients and families to navigate the unknown: a patient education handbook, a shared data registry, and one-on-one counseling to provide both information and direct support.

Perhaps nothing embodies her vision more than the Lung Cancer Living Room^®, the education and support series she launched in 2009. What began as a gathering in her own home has since grown into a global lifeline, reaching over a million people in 144 countries. In the Living Room, people diagnosed with lung cancer and families could engage face-to-face—or screen-to-screen—with leading experts, walk away with knowledge, and, more importantly, hope.

Bonnie’s unwavering belief in respect, clarity, and partnership transformed lung cancer care. She built spaces where people could find connection, courage, and the confidence to advocate for themselves. She reminded people that even in the most challenging moments, tomorrow could hold possibilities.

Research that listens: ALCMI

Realizing that patient empowerment needed to be paired with cutting-edge research, Bonnie co-founded the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) in 2008, an international research consortium committed to unlocking lung cancer’s genetic mysteries and advancing targeted treatments.

Breaking down traditional silos, ALCMI brought together more than 25 world-class research institutions into a single collaborative network—something that had never been done before in lung cancer research. The institute established one of the first global lung cancer biobanks, giving scientists and clinicians shared access to patient samples and data to speed discovery. Among its landmark initiatives is the INHERIT study, which identified the first-ever genetic marker linked to increased hereditary risk for lung cancer. Other ALCMI studies have shed light on unique genetic drivers of the disease, improved understanding of young lung cancer, and opened the door to new approaches in targeted therapy and clinical trial design.

By integrating patient perspectives with rigorous scientific investigation, ALCMI continues to accelerate discoveries, improve access to personalized therapies, and create a more precise understanding of the disease. Through this work, Bonnie ensured that research would not remain confined to the laboratory but would translate into tangible benefits for patients, bridging the gap between innovation and care.

Voices that matter: patient stories and youth advocacy

Bonnie believed deeply in the power of stories to drive change. She amplified the voices of people living with lung cancer, ensuring their experiences informed not only support services but also research, policy, and public awareness.

When Bonnie met 21-year-old athlete Jill Costello, she was profoundly moved. Jill’s courage and determination sparked Jill’s Legacy, a youth-focused advocacy group that reminded the world that lung cancer can—and does—impact anyone. This effort inspired a new generation to step forward, raise awareness, and push for progress.

Bonnie also championed groundbreaking research, most notably the Genomics of Young Lung Cancer (GoYLC) study, which identified a previously unknown and unique form of lung cancer in young adults. This was a discovery that had never been recognized before and opened an entirely new area of research. Its follow-up study, Epidemiology of Young Lung Cancer (EoYLC), sought to understand why these otherwise healthy young adults develop the disease by examining environmental, behavioral, and genetic risk factors. This novel, groundbreaking work would not have happened without Bonnie’s vision and determination. Today, findings from these studies are shaping efforts to improve prevention, detection, and treatment—critical steps that will save lives and bring hope to future generations.

Honoring excellence: The Bonnie J. Addario Lectureship Award

Bonnie’s legacy is also carried forward through the Bonnie J. Addario Lectureship Award, established in 2008 to honor individuals whose work profoundly influenced lung cancer research, education, and patient advocacy.

Each recipient joins an esteemed group of pioneers whose contributions mirror Bonnie’s insistence on pushing boundaries, asking the hard questions, and never accepting the status quo. The Lectureship Award ensures that her spirit of courage, urgency, and hope continues to inspire the people who shape the future of lung cancer care.  

Championing precision care: biomarker testing

Bonnie was a founding voice in urging patients and the medical community to embrace comprehensive biomarker testing at diagnosis and progression. She emphasized that lung cancer is not one singular disease and when biomarkers are identified, doors open to targeted therapies.  

In November 2023, she received the prestigious Leadership in Personalized Medicine award from the Precision Medicine Coalition (PMC) for her outstanding impact on lung cancer. Reflecting on the award, Bonnie said:

“It has always been my number one priority to make sure that people with lung cancer feel represented in every conversation and every decision we’ve made at GO2 and certainly in our partnerships with industry and medical institutions. That’s always been a responsibility I’ve taken seriously, but it has also been such an honor to work with so many wonderful people with lung cancer and share their stories and their needs in a way that increases awareness, builds momentum, and improves their lives.” 

Final reflection: hope in action

Bonnie’s passing on August 25, 2025, marks the end of a chapter—but her story is far from over. Her legacy lives on in the empowered patients who advocate for themselves, the researchers who continue forging life-saving discoveries, and the countless communities that have found hope through her efforts. Bonnie has made an impact on everyone who has met her and received one of her trademark hugs.  

If you’ve been touched by her work, a support session, a resource, a reminder of your own strength—carry forward her spirit. Whether through volunteering, donating, advocating for the lung cancer community, or simply sharing her story, you can help ensure Bonnie’s greatest gift—hope—is never forgotten.

To honor Bonnie’s memory, GO2 for Lung Cancer has created the GO2 Bonnie J. Addario Legacy Award that recognizes individuals who embody Bonnie’s unwavering spirit, courageous leadership, and relentless determination to transform the landscape of lung cancer. The 2025 recipients of the award, the Young Lung Cancer Initiative Co-Founders Bianca Bye and Leah Phillips, were honored for empowering and connecting young adults affected by lung cancer.

As a tribute to Bonnie’s extraordinary life and legacy, a group of generous donors has come together to MATCH all gifts 100% through December 31. Your support of the Bonnie J. Addario Legacy Fund will help sustain the patient-centered programs, research, and care she built—and keep hope alive for every person facing lung cancer. Learn more and make a gift here.

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Natalie lives in Atlanta with her husband and her dog Hershey. She loves to travel with her family and friends and is working her way through her restaurant bucket list. In her spare time, she works with different organizations by volunteering her time and speaking/advocating for lung cancer. She recently joined a Citizen Scientist Program, which teaches people about the lung cancer ecosystem and key aspects of research like ethics, data analysis, and patient-centered study design. Natalie hopes to start a new career involving cancer research one day.

When Natalie first developed a stubborn cough and persistent fatigue, she wasn’t sure what was causing it. Over the next 6 months, her search for answers led her through a series of doctors and shifting diagnoses: allergies, bronchospasms, and even malaria. All the while, her cough persisted, and her energy levels continued to decline. Only after she insisted on a referral to a pulmonologist did the truth start to surface. Multiple biopsies, and even a phone call initially assuring her it wasn’t cancer, eventually led to a stage 4 (IV) lung cancer diagnosis.

“It was such a rollercoaster,” she recalled. “They told me it wasn’t cancer, and then weeks later said it was. By the time I saw the oncologist, she looked at us and said, ‘This is already stage 4 (IV). Did you not know?’ And we didn’t. We were blindsided.”

Learning to advocate and adjust

After her diagnosis, Natalie had to adjust to a new reality. She never imagined that lung cancer could strike someone in their thirties. “I thought you had to be a lifelong smoker, or 80 years old,” she admitted.  

Biomarker testing showed no targetable mutations, something that surprised her care team, given her age. She began chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy, a combination that gave her years of stability. “I was still able to work and travel,” she said. “It was rough at times, but I could live a normal life.” Eventually, though, her cancer began to progress.

Natalie tried additional types of chemotherapy and enrolled in 2 different clinical trials, including one that required frequent flights out of state. Neither trial worked. “I didn’t know anything about clinical trials before,” she said. “But at that point, I felt like, what do I have to lose?”

A radical option

That’s when her pulmonologist suggested something she never expected—a double lung transplant. The criteria were strict: the cancer had to remain confined to the lungs, and she had to be healthy enough to withstand the surgery. Natalie was both. “When I met the surgeon, he looked at me and said, ‘Your lungs are trash,’” she laughed. “He didn’t say it cruelly; it was just the truth. At that point, it was either keep buying time with more chemo or try something much more radical.”

After weeks of intense testing, she was accepted into the program with the condition that she relocate from Atlanta to Chicago for a full year. Housing and expenses were her responsibility. “It wasn’t easy. My husband and I had to figure it out, but we didn’t really have a choice. I really felt like the transplant was my only option to possibly feel better.”  

On November 15, Natalie had the transplant. “It was the worst procedure I’ve ever had in my life,” she said, “the worst that I could even imagine. They told me later they had to call in another surgeon because my lungs were so diseased, they were basically yanking them out of my chest.”

The recovery was grueling, with months of pain and complications, but the transplant improved her life in incredible ways too. Her cough disappeared immediately. “Before, I was coughing 200–300 times an hour, to the point of breaking ribs. After the transplant, that was gone. My new lungs worked at nearly 100 percent. That alone changed my quality of life in a huge way.”

An unexpected recurrence

Unfortunately, Natalie’s lung transplant was not the cure her doctors had predicted. Just 2 months after her surgery, scans revealed cancer had returned, this time in her spine.  

“At first, I was devastated,” Natalie said. “I thought, I just went through all of this, and for what? Now it’s back. But then I reminded myself: without the transplant, I might not even be here. And I’m breathing and breathing well. That’s a gift.”

She returned to chemotherapy and added radiation to help manage pain. More recently, she begun a bone-strengthening shot that has given her renewed hope. “I’ve spoken with others who say it eliminated their lesions,” she said. “You just never know, but it’s something to hope for.”

Living between 2 worlds

Relocating for the transplant created its own challenges. Even though her husband and 2 best friends have spent the last year alternating visits to take care of her, she has still attended many appointments alone and navigated her health needs in a new city at least partly solo.  

“They’re incredible,” Natalie said. “Being sick shows you how loved you are. That’s a silver lining, but it’s changed me too. I don’t want to say that it’s made me stronger, but I can do a lot more on my own now. Sometimes you just don’t have a choice.”

She is also quick to point out the importance of caregivers. “People don’t realize how much this takes out of caregivers too,” she said. “My husband carries so much of this with me. We need to check in on caregivers just as much as patients.”

Lessons learned

Natalie is candid about the ups and downs of life with advanced lung cancer. “It’s not going to be smooth—it’s a rollercoaster,” she said.

Her advice:

• Advocate for yourself.

• Take small wins. “If I washed dishes today, that’s a win. Don’t just look at the big picture.”

• Prioritize mental health. “People focus so much on physical health, but this takes a huge toll mentally. Therapy and support matter just as much.”

• Acknowledge the invisible. “People look at me and say, ‘you don’t look sick.’ But stage 4 (IV) looks different for everyone.”

She also raises awareness about safety. “Many of us are on opioids for pain. I asked my doctor for Narcan, just in case. Everyone should carry it. You never think it will happen, but you don’t want to be unprepared.”  

Gratitude and hope

Despite everything, Natalie continues to find gratitude. She works out 3 times a week, takes walks when she can, and leans on her community. Though she is still adjusting to life managing care for both her transplant and cancer, she holds onto perspective.

“I may not have the story I thought I’d have,” she said. “But I’m here. I’m breathing. And I want people to know there are options, even unlikely or imperfect ones. And there’s always hope, even when it feels complicated.

When Debbie P. learned that a small “ground glass” spot on her right lung, one that had been monitored for years, was actually adenocarcinoma, she suddenly found herself facing the unthinkable.  “From my first appointment with the surgeon, he told me he would assign a nurse navigator,” she recalls. “Since then, my amazing nurse navigator has been with me at appointments and available for support and resources every step of the way.” After a successful surgery to remove her right lower lobe, Debbie faced several complications in recovery—pneumonia, medication reactions, and fluid that required thoracentesis. Through it all, she leaned on her care team and family for strength. One day, her nurse navigator, Tana, told her about GO2’s Sacramento 5K Walk/Run, and Debbie decided to give it a try. “I didn’t set out to be a team leader,” she says, “but as my friends and family started signing up, we created Team Debbie. It felt so special to give back to the community that gives so much to people like me.”

Moments that mattered

For Debbie, GO2’s 5K became far more than a race. It was a day of connection and hope. She remembers seeing her care team—surgeons, nurse navigators, and other medical professionals—show up to walk and run beside patients.  “That meant so much,” she says. “I had just had a thoracentesis the week before, so I wasn’t in the best place physically or emotionally. But I felt surrounded by love from my family, my care team, and my GO2 community.” Her husband, Rob, was her rock through it all, driving her to appointments, helping organize the team, and hosting a “thank you” celebration after the event. Her children and grandchildren proudly wore their Team Debbie shirts (designed by her daughter), and her son even ran competitively in her honor. Seeing old friends and even reconnecting with a high school classmate who donated after seeing her Facebook post brought unexpected joy and encouragement. “All these moments gave me such a sense of not being alone,” Debbie says. “I realized I could also be part of the encouragers as I continue my journey.”

Building connections beyond the 5K

At the pre-race dinner in Sacramento, Debbie met others deeply involved in GO2’s mission. This included Mary, who later became her Phone Buddy.“I wanted to talk not just about the medical side of cancer, but about the emotional and personal challenges that come with it. Having someone who truly understands has made such a difference,” Debbie says.  

Reflecting on Lung Cancer Awareness Month

This November marks a full year since Debbie’s diagnosis, making Lung Cancer Awareness Month especially meaningful.  “It’s my opportunity to support others the way I was supported,” she says. “I want to do whatever I can to support someone else going through this because other people are supporting me.” Debbie encourages others to take full advantage of the programs available through hospitals and community organizations, from nurse navigators and wellness programs to exercise classes and emotional support groups.  “You are not alone,” she adds. “Everyone’s diagnosis is different, but there are so many more options and resources now than there used to be. Each of these helps you heal in different ways.”

Join the movement

Debbie’s story is a reminder of the power of community, connection, and hope. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, honor survivors like Debbie by joining a GO2 5K Run/Walk 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!

Clara spent 8 years post-college living in Colorado Springs, CO, and recently moved back to her home state of Iowa. She enjoys yoga, cycling, and golfing. She is a freelance graphic designer and enjoys cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones!

At just 30 years old, Clara was an avid runner, building her life in Colorado and focused on staying healthy. When back and hip pain from what seemed like a running injury refused to improve, she never imagined that the scans, tests, and emergency room visits that followed would ultimately reveal a lung cancer diagnosis that had already spread to her lymph nodes, liver, bones, pelvis, breast, and brain.

“I was shocked,” Clara recalls. “I’ve never smoked, never vaped, nothing like that. To learn it originated in my lungs was devastating.”

A difficult beginning

Clara’s road to diagnosis was long and confusing. What began as a herniated disc led to months of pain, bloating, and unexplained anemia. It wasn’t until she took herself to the ER when she was unable to keep down food or fluids that doctors discovered the truth.

“They told me, ‘It looks like you have cancer, and it’s spread,’” Clara remembers. “I was transferred to a bigger hospital, prepped for surgery, but then told it was everywhere and that we needed to wait.”

When doctors later confirmed that cancer had reached her brain, Clara was crushed. “Anything neck down I felt like I could handle, but the brain made me think: this is going to kill me.”

Her parents, both already familiar with the cancer world from her mother’s own stage 3 (III) colorectal cancer experience, stepped in. Clara soon relocated to Iowa to be treated by her mom’s trusted oncologist, a move that gave her both comfort and hope.

Treatment challenges  

The initial treatment plan was aggressive: 5 rounds of whole brain radiation followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. While radiation successfully shrank or eliminated many of the 30+ brain tumors identified on her scans, chemotherapy took a harsh toll.

“Chemo really kicked my butt,” Clara says. After severe reactions during rounds 5 and 6, including losing consciousness and developing sepsis that landed her in the ICU, she understood firsthand why some patients choose to stop treatment. “By the end, I thought: thank God that’s my last one. I don’t think my body could have handled it again.”

Now, Clara receives immunotherapy every 3 weeks. “It’s not terrible. I get sleepy sometimes, but compared to chemo, it’s so much easier. My scans show stability overall, and in my lungs, everything is gone now. I’m happy with the response.”

Redefining stage 4 (IV)

For Clara, the words stage 4 (IV) initially felt like a death sentence. “I thought, this is it. I’m going to die,” she admits. At one point, she even told her mom, “I just want everyone to get on board with me dying. It’ll make this process easier for us all.”  

Encouragement from her oncologist shifted her perspective. “He told me, ‘You’re responding well to treatment. You can live for years to come.’ That gave me hope.”

Clara now works to educate others on what a stage 4 (IV) diagnosis really means. “People hear that I’m done with chemo and assume I’m cured. For many of us, this is a chronic disease. I’ll likely always be in treatment. But the treatment is working for me and I’m hopeful about what could be next if it stops working.”

Community, advocacy, and connection

While treatment has been grueling, Clara has found purpose in sharing her story. Through TikTok and Instagram, she launched Cancer Questions with Clara, connecting with other young patients and offering candid glimpses into her journey.

“I get the sweetest messages and comments,” she says. “Strangers send care packages, donate to my GoFundMe, or just write to say they’re rooting for me. People are so much kinder than I ever imagined.”

Her advocacy has also created unexpected opportunities. Clara partnered with her local LifeServe Blood Center to highlight the importance of blood donation. “Blood transfusions saved my life. To see the bags of blood in their lab that I actually received was amazing,” she shares. She has also participated in podcasts and hopes to lend her voice to national advocacy efforts.  

Advice for others

When asked what advice she’d give to another young person newly diagnosed, Clara says:

• Don’t Google everything. “Write down your questions and bring them to your oncologist. I scared myself online.”

• Lean on your people. “You have more love and support than you realize.”

• Accept help. “The best support came from friends who just did things—sending a meal, dropping off a gift card—rather than waiting for me to ask for help.”

Moving forward

Today, Clara is preparing for surgery to remove pelvic tumors that still cause discomfort. She’s also regaining independence after months of using a walker and a cane.  

“It was tough being 30 years old and pushing a walker into restaurants, but I embraced it. At the farmer’s market, I could load the seat with groceries. It turned out to be useful,” she says with a laugh.

As she continues treatment and advocacy, Clara is determined to help others feel less alone. “I don’t sugarcoat it, it’s hard. But you can get through it. Sharing my story and connecting with others with lung cancer helps because you realize that other people are in the same boat as you.”    

Lung cancer in younger adults presents its own challenges, often different from those faced by older patients. With more young people like Clara being diagnosed, even without a smoking history or other common risk factors, this issue is more important than ever. Join us in person or virtually on Tuesday, October 21, for our upcoming Lung Cancer Living Room^®, featuring powerful stories from those affected and insights into breakthrough research. young people living with lung cancer.

Susan H.’s experience with lung cancer began quietly, during a routine low-dose CT screening in 2023.  

“I was very frightened about the possibilities ahead for me,” she recalls. What helped her navigate those uncertain early days was the support of her nurse navigators—Amy R. and Sharon L.—who guided her every step of the way.

Amy first met Susan at a lung cancer screening day held in the Denver area at Lutheran Hospital, a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence.  

“What stood out to me most was her kindness and positive attitude,” Amy says.  

From that moment, she became Susan’s right hand, walking with her through the diagnostic process, explaining each step, and providing a familiar voice whenever Susan had questions or fears.

When Susan saw the oncologist after her surgery, Sharon stepped in with a warm handoff, ensuring continuity of care and maintaining the personalized attention Susan had come to rely on.  

“Patients can call us directly—no AI, no phone tree,” Sharon explains. “That connection makes a huge difference in helping them feel supported.”

For Susan, this support wasn’t just practical, it was transformative. During the 3 weeks leading up to her surgery, she could focus on preparing emotionally, trusting that her navigator had scheduled and coordinated every detail.  

“I could spend that time cleaning my house and sorting things to donate so I’d be tired enough to sleep at night,” she says. “I called the navigator at least 3 or 4 times in that period to clarify details and ask questions.”

Both Susan and her navigators highlight the importance of Lutheran Hospital’s Center of Excellence designation.  

“It emphasizes high-quality care, early detection, and access to resources and knowledge,” Amy says. Susan adds, “The nurses were much more caring and professional than at any other hospital I’d been to. That made all the difference.”

Beyond the clinical support, the personal connection between patient and nurse made a lasting impact. Susan’s humor and positivity brought smiles to the team every day.  

“Every interaction with her is joy,” Amy says. Susan laughs at small moments, like when she jokingly requested moon pies in the infusion center treat cabinet, and one nurse actually brought her one at her next session.  

Sharon sums it up by saying, “Patient care is my love. Seeing their spirit uplifted, even in a hard situation, is everything.”

Susan’s optimism and resilience left a mark on everyone she met. Amy describes her in one word: sunshine. Sharon adds, “Amazing. She truly amazes you with her grace and positivity.”

Reflecting on their shared path, Amy shares her gratitude.  

“From screening and early detection to treatment, Susan is why we do what we do,” she said.  

Susan’s story is a powerful reminder of the role compassionate, dedicated nurse navigators play in the lives of patients. Care goes beyond the clinic. It is about walking every step together, with expertise, kindness, and heart.

If you need help finding the care you need, please contact our HelpLine at 800-298-2436 or support@go2.org.

Drea Cornejo lives in St. Petersburg, FL, with her partner and their 2 pups—a sassy corgi named Slug and a spirited supermutt named Bambi. Diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in 2022 at age 26, she’s been navigating life with a terminal illness while still embracing joy, curiosity, and community. As a video journalist, she often focuses on stories about the young adult cancer community, bringing visibility to underrepresented voices and lived experiences. When she’s not reporting, you can usually find her tending to her plants, soaking up the sun, or savoring a strong coffee (or 3).When, at only 26 years old, Drea noticed her ankle swelling for no obvious reason, she never imagined the long road ahead. An initial diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) led to a cascade of mysterious and worsening symptoms, including bruising, difficulty breathing, unexplained weight loss, and a strange rattling noise coming from her throat. Five months after that first symptom, Drea was diagnosed with stage 4 (IV) lung cancer.After her diagnosis and still very sick, Drea was discharged from the hospital and told that someone would “look into” clinical trials for her. “Looking back, I was so sick no clinical trial would have accepted me,” she says. “I had pulmonary embolisms, sepsis, and fluid in my heart—I was on my way out.”When a home nurse urged her to return to the hospital, Drea reluctantly agreed. At that point, she could barely walk across the room without gasping for air. It turned out to be a life-saving decision. Scans revealed the cancer was spreading rapidly. She needed an emergency blood transfusion stat to start a platinum-based chemotherapy.

Hope in a ROS1 diagnosis

In the initial chaos there was a turning point: biomarker testing. The results revealed a rare ROS1 mutation that made her eligible for a targeted therapy (TKI) called Rozlytrek (entrectinib). Her doctors were enthusiastic. “I remember thinking, I’m celebrating having a mutation? This is weird.”Her new treatment worked quickly, and Drea’s scans began to stabilize. At that point, she was able to transfer to a comprehensive cancer center where a multidisciplinary care team began to address not just her cancer but her long list of other complications, including early congestive heart failure.Drea was able to stay on Rozlytrek (entrectinib) for 3 years before switching to a new treatment earlier this year after experiencing oligoprogression (when someone with metastatic cancer experiences progression in a few spots while the rest of the cancer stays the same with treatment). This TKI, Lorbrena (lorlatinib), is technically approved for ALK-positive cancers but has also turned out to be a powerful brain-penetrating drug for ROS1+ cancers.Despite feeling grateful to have the option of a new treatment, the transition between drugs was tough for Drea. “I was bedridden for two weeks,” she says. “The withdrawal symptoms were awful -- full body pains, this weird pressure behind my eyes, it hurt to breathe, it hurt to swallow.’Now, she says, “I’m slowly feeling more like myself,” a feeling aided by the fact that the new TKI is working. Her first MRI following the treatment change showed a near complete response.

The power of community

Drea is quick to praise biomarker testing and personalized treatment for her survival, but she also credits something else: her community. Specifically, The ROS1ders, a group of patients with the same rare mutation who share advice, support, and hope. “That group saved my life. I’ve learned so much from them, but more than anything else, they gave me hope,” she said. “Seeing other ROS1ders living long and healthy lives changed my perspective about my own survival.”That connection was vital after a traumatic early experience with a doctor who told her she likely had a 3-month expiration date. “I believed him,” she says, “and that did so much damage to me. It wasn’t until I met other patients living for years with this disease that something flipped in me.”Drea muses about sending that doctor a photo from her recent 3-year cancerversary celebration, where she posed with a cake that said, “Good job not dying.” “I just want to tell him, ‘Surprise! I’m still alive,’” she says.

A new voice for her generation

As Drea got stronger, she started to think of ways that she could make something meaningful out of her diagnosis. She made the powerful decision to pair her career as a journalist with The Washington Post with her personal experiences with lung cancer in order to tell stories and raise awareness about what living with cancer is really like, especially for young people. Her work has explored the rising rates of cancer in young adults and has helped shine a spotlight on the realities of survivorship for her generation.Earlier this year, she was honored to share the story of a young couple navigating a pregnancy while living with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Drea describes working with Shay and Tanner Martin as “powerful but also very, very emotionally draining for me.” She also acknowledges her unique ability to help tell their story, given her own diagnosis.More recently, she also published another story in the Generation C series. The video-first piece follows three young adults in their 20s and 30s as they navigate cancer, sharing candid and often humorous reflections on identity, relationships, body image, and the emotional and financial realities of treatment.Drea also told her own story in a comic published by The Post earlier this year. In it, she described how she had to push for her diagnosis due to dismissive doctors.She shared her story not only to process what she’s been through, but to help others understand that lung cancer can happen to anyone with lungs. “I used to be very shy and reserved, but if being loud and open about my diagnosis gets people talking, then so be it.”She’s become a vocal advocate for the unique needs of young cancer patients, needs that often go unrecognized by a system still largely designed for older adults. “There’s not great survivorship support for people in their 20s or 30s,” she says. “We’re still thinking about fertility, dating, our careers. It’s just very different.”

Advice for others

When asked what advice she’d give to others—especially young people—diagnosed with lung cancer, Drea doesn’t hesitate to say: “Be persistent. Be your own best advocate.”She’s transferred care 3 times to find the right team. She’s leaned on her ROS1ders community to learn what questions to ask and when to push for more and now boasts a health care team that makes her feel seen, heard, and cared for. “At the end of the day,” she says, “health is wealth, and this is your life. What could be more important?”

Adrianna lives in Norco, CA, where she enjoys spending time with family and friends, camping at the river and in the desert, and walking her dogs. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and is the cofounder and President of Support Sisterz, a volunteer-run organization that provides financial and emotional support to women in her community battling breast and gynecological cancers. Her own diagnosis inspired her to take on this role. Her cancer journey also shaped her career path. Drawn to help others, she began working in hospitals and chemo infusion centers as an oncology massage therapist. In 2011, she completed her oncology massage training and has since provided comfort-based care at the bedside of adult and pediatric patients in hospitals and infusion centers. She views this work as a meaningful way to give back. Adrianna recently took leave from her role following a new diagnosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). She is heartbroken to step away from her work with the cancer community, knowing how important it is. When Adrianna first felt an ache in her shoulder, she brushed it off as a sore muscle. But when the pain lingered, her instincts told her it might be something more. Adrianna’s history with breast cancer nearly 20 years earlier made her push harder for answers, even when her doctor suggested waiting. She feared the pain in her shoulder could be a new breast cancer occurrence metastasizing (spreading). She was partially right. A whirlwind of scans, biopsies, and appointments revealed not breast cancer, but stage 4 (IV) non-small cell lung cancer with a HER2 mutation, a diagnosis she never expected.

A difficult start

Adrianna’s early experience with her oncologist was crushing. “She basically gave me no hope,” she recalled. Even when targeted treatment options were discussed, the most enthusiasm the doctor could muster was, “What do you have to lose?” Adrianna felt like her doctor gave up on her before they even started treatment. She also felt like her doctor didn’t want her to ask questions and would get frustrated when she did. Her doctor never even told her that she had the exon 20 mutation. That changed when she sought a second opinion at City of Hope. The doctor there said, “This is great news. You have a targetable mutation. There are good treatments for this.” This difference in approach helped Adrianna process her diagnosis and prepare for treatment with more optimism and fight. Still, she felt overwhelmed—like she was drowning in information, decisions, and fear. That’s when she turned to GO2 for Lung Cancer.

Finding GO2

Like many people who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer, Adrianna took to Google to learn more. She soon discovered Dr. Bryant Lin’s story, and his episode of GO2’s Lung Cancer Living Room^®. From there, she learned about GO2’s HelpLine and decided to call. “I didn’t know what I was looking for, I didn’t even have a specific question in mind, but I needed someone who would understand me and what I was going through,” Adrianna said. She spoke with Maureen Rigney, LICSW, GO2’s Senior Director, Support Programs and Psychosocial Care, who helped talk her through the anxiety she was feeling around her diagnosis and the experiences she’d had with her oncologist. “Maureen put me at ease immediately,” she said. Maureen also connected Adrianna to a program within the HelpLine called LungMATCH. Matthew Reiss, MSE, PhD, GO2’s Manager, Precision Medicine & Navigation—one of the people behind LungMATCH—spent nearly an hour on the phone with Adrianna and her husband that first day. “He walked me through what my results meant and the questions I should take back to my doctor,” Adrianna said. “He’s absolutely the best. GO2’s team gave me hope and direction at a time when I felt completely overwhelmed.”

Support that made a difference

Adrianna didn’t stop with the HelpLine. She quickly plugged into several other GO2 programs as well. She joined a session of Gathering Hope, GO2’s virtual community social group, and shortly after that joined Mind Over Matter, a program that gives people impacted by lung cancer simple tools to manage stress and anxiety through mindfulness and coping strategies.

“Mind Over Matter helped me find solid ground when the fear and anxiety made me feel like I was drowning,” she said. In fact, she’s continued to use the techniques she learned during Mind Over Matter since then. When anxiety crept in before a recent appointment, she leaned on techniques and tools she’d learned in Mind Over Matter to talk herself through the big feelings she was experiencing and approach her appointment with more calm. “Even just having the papers from Mind Over Matter in my bag calmed me down before appointments. I told myself, ‘Don’t make this bigger than it is. Just show up and see how it goes.’” Adrianna was also matched through GO2’s peer-to-peer Phone Buddy program with a woman who is also living with HER2+ lung cancer. “She’d been on the same treatment that I’m on now for 4 ½ years, so she really understands exactly what I’m feeling and going through. Talking to her helped to pull me out of a dark place.” “I just can’t say enough good things about GO2,” Adrianna said. “I didn’t use just one resource or program. I needed something from all of them in different ways, and they were all there for me.”

Why connection matters

Adrianna knows firsthand how different the landscape looks for other cancers, like breast cancer, where support groups and sisterhood are abundant. “Lung cancer can feel so isolating,” she said. “And then there’s the stigma. People want to ask, ‘Did you smoke?’ But what you really need is someone who says, ‘I’ve been there too.’” Now on her fourth round of a targeted therapy for HER2 cancer. Her tumors are shrinking and even disappearing. She changed oncologists, built a new care team, and leans on her GO2 community when anxiety creeps back in. That’s why she urges newly diagnosed patients to reach out and to connect with organizations like GO2 as soon as they feel able. “Your friends and family can love you, but they can’t always understand what this all feels like,” Adrianna said. “Talking to someone who’s an expert in lung cancer or who has walked in your shoes is different. It’s lifesaving and life-changing.” 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. Whether it’s questions about biomarker testing, treatment options, or simply needing someone to listen, the HelpLine is often the first step toward feeling less alone after a lung cancer diagnosis. Call 1-800-298-2436 or email support@go2.org to get started.