Creativity might not be the official word of 2021, but the lung cancer community once again showed off its creativity in raising awareness and funds throughout the year. You didn’t have to golf across six states or hike to Mount Everest to participate, though there were of course some who took their passion to new heights. In fact, many of you impressed us with new ways to have fun, get fresh air, and fundraise for the cause in your own backyards.

Here are three ways that people with lung cancer and their friends and families participated in GO2 for Lung Cancer events in 2021.

You walked 10 million steps.

Over 370 people participated in our nationwide step challenge. During the Step into Spring Virtual Step Challenge, you walked, ran, and climbed—a lot. The challenge also brought together five event communities virtually and raised over $101,000 for GO2 for Lung Cancer programs aimed at doubling lung cancer survival.

You scavenged the Philadelphia Zoo.

No, our community didn’t adopt a pack of hyenas—but we did stage a scavenger hunt at the Philadelphia Zoo. Those local to the area showed up with the list of things to look for and set off for a fun visit to the zoo. Others participated virtually with a list of scavenger hunt items to find in their own neighborhoods.

You embraced our pop-up drive-in.

Taking a page from 2020, we staged our own drive-in event to celebrate the GO2 for Lung Cancer community. Simply the Best Under the Stars included a pop-up, drive-in movie theatre, a big stage, and a live band with a Master of Ceremonies. There was also a food tent and socially distanced tables for people who wanted to leave their cars to mix and mingle safely. (And in-person participants had to show proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test result to attend.) We transformed a parking lot in San Mateo, CA, for the event and livestreamed the program to enable people across the country to participate.

It’s all for a worthy cause.

While everyone who participated in events had fun, there was  a serious side to it all. The funds you raised help GO2 for Lung Cancer keep moving towards increasing survivorship. Your participation and your creativity help us educate those at-risk, newly diagnosed, in treatment, and beyond. You also help us support programs for local community hospitals so they can bring quality care to communities nationwide. Your funds help us advocate for policy changes at the national level and support cutting-edge research to keep moving lung cancer progress forward. You embraced creative ideas and took on fun challenges—and we thank you for your support.

We hope to see you again in 2022. Click here to find an event near you!