Jana Brownell is the Chairman of the Kirlin Company and has been a GO2 for Lung Cancer supporter since 2001. 

My mom was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in 2001. At the time of my mom’s startling and unimaginable diagnosis, we were focused on my dad, who had been dealing with a few health problems of his own. I needed to take the lead for my mom and for our family. 

My background in biotechnology, healthcare lighting, and women’s health, made me the natural caregiver for her. Every waking moment after that, I dedicated myself to providing her with the best of care, utilizing the latest advancements in lung cancer treatment. She passed away two years later. I was left with a hole in my heart and binders full of information. 

I found GO2 for Lung Cancer in my online pursuit of information about the disease. The staff’s understanding, compassion, and drive led me to make my first donation to GO2 in 2001. Their continued unrelenting support since then, as numerous friends and colleagues have been diagnosed with lung cancer, has brought me back to supporting GO2’s mission and programs with gifts from my Donor Advised Fund (DAF). 

In 2010, I established my family’s DAF to keep all our non-profit donations in one place and well-funded. As a chairman and business owner, time is always of the essence. The accuracy and simplicity of sending grants via DAF has been very helpful to me and to the recipients of our contributions. 

When I talk with GO2 for Lung Cancer’s team and my friends who GO2 is helping, I am confident that support through my DAF is critical to changing the future of this disease. It is my sincere hope that the world will enjoy doubled survival rates for lung cancer within the next five years! 

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is an easy and flexible way to make charitable donations while receiving tax benefits. Administered by third parties, DAFs allow you to give cash, stock, and other assets and receive an immediate tax deduction when the contribution is made. Get started on your own DAF today!