A generous contribution from the DeCesaris family is helping us double survivorship by 2025 by growing our reach to individuals at risk and patients across the country. When Geaton, patriarch of the family and their “rock” passed from lung cancer, the family began donating to GO2 for Lung Cancer, as well as other organizations in their community to heighten awareness about the disease, raise additional funds, and connect people with resources. 

We interviewed JoAnn DeCesaris Wellington about the family’s involvement with lung cancer and GO2 for Lung Cancer. JoAnn graciously spoke on behalf of her mother JoAnn, and her four sisters— Angela, Elizabeth, Kristin, and Maria.

How did your father’s diagnosis change your impression of the issues that the lung cancer community faced?

When our father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, my immediate thought was “BUT HE DOESN’T SMOKE!” However, we quickly learned that lung cancer can affect anyone and that the stigma attached lung cancer has hindered advances in research. We knew we needed better treatment options and increased awareness on how lung cancer can affect anyone with lungs.

You are both an advocate and a donor. Tell us about your evolution into those roles.

Both my father and mother were philanthropists before they even started our family foundation. They were always generous in giving back and trying to help whenever it was needed. Our father’s diagnosis opened our eyes to a completely new world. We knew right away that we could make a difference in the advancement of treatment options by contributing financially and educating others and ourselves on what was happening in the lung cancer world. We also quickly learned about the stigma that goes along with lung cancer. We felt, from the beginning of our journey, a need to make people aware that lung cancer could happen to anyone. We reached out to numerous organizations and, fortunately for us, we found Lung Cancer Alliance, now GO2 for Lung Cancer. We are so grateful for all they have done over the years. The efforts of GO2 for Lung Cancer have brought us such peace and continue to give us hope.

How has GO2 for Lung Cancer supported the change you want to see in lung cancer?

From the start, we found support. The first services that come to mind are the advocacy program and patient and support services. There is a lot of “let’s wait and see” when I comes to lung cancer. We know firsthand that some doctors still assume that, if you are a nonsmoker, they do not search for lung cancer. We have been very impressed with GO2 for Lung Cancer’s efforts to support the patients that often are overlooked—both through legislative and regulatory measures and direct patient support. With GO2 for Lung Cancer’s interception, these patients can get diagnosed earlier and treated appropriately, which will ultimately give them a better outcome.

Tell us more about how your advocacy and donor role has affected you, your family, and friends?

We have learned so much since our father’s diagnosis. Early on, we realized that persistence is key. There were many uncomfortable times with our father and other family members. The constant calling, pushing for more tests, pushing for more answers, pushing to make sure that he was not lost in the shuffle. From diagnosis to treatment, it is an ongoing process. We have learned that you need to advocate for yourself or ask someone close to you to be your advocate.

What would you tell another prospective donor to encourage them to help us fight lung cancer?

I would share with prospective donors the difference GO2 for Lung Cancer has really made for patients. We can see the difference from my father’s 2002 diagnosis to what is available to patients today. It is organizations, like GO2 for Lung Cancer, that have made this happen. It is one of the organizations in the lung cancer world that has changed people’s view of lung cancer. GO2 for Lung Cancer has given us hope.