How One Survivor Became an Advocate: Perspectives from a Voices Summit First-Timer

Earlier this month, Oakland-based photographer Genevieve joined nearly 200 other lung cancer advocates in Washington, D.C., to share her story with Congressional members and urge support for lung cancer research. We talked to her about her experience as one of 109 first-time participants at the GO2 for Lung Cancer Voices Summit in 2024.

How did you become interested in attending the Voices Summit?

I hadn’t met any lung cancer survivors until I got involved with GO2. In the beginning, after I received my diagnosis of stage 3 (III) lung cancer, I was so overwhelmed. Only later, after I recovered from surgery and chemotherapy, I thought, “I really need to do some networking.”

My first GO2 event was the San Francisco 5K, where I met other survivors. I then attended GO2’s Gala, and then the Living Room. It was at the Living Room where I first heard about the opportunity to go to D.C. and I knew I wanted to do it right away. Once I decided to go, I felt so empowered. This empowered state has helped my health a lot.

What was your experience like? 

I learned a lot about lung cancer, research, and the disparity between lung cancer and other common cancers in terms of funding. Many of the people we met in Congressional offices were surprised to find out that lung cancer is the deadliest cancer and the least funded. Being in meetings with people who are more experienced in talking about policies that impact people with lung cancer calmed my nerves. Now that I have experienced the Voices Summit, it seems like such a normal thing to do. I loved being part of democracy.

I love the solidarity that I now have with other advocates affected by this disease. It was inspiring to meet people who, for many years, have been advocating in D.C. for policies that improve the lives of people with lung cancer. We have so much skin in the game.

What is one key piece of advice you would tell lung cancer advocates who are thinking about attending?

Just GO! Don’t worry if you think you can do it or not. Don’t think it is this exotic thing that only certain people do or that you need special qualifications. Lung cancer advocates should go to see the benefits of networking, advocacy, and education. It was so cool to see that this is an everyday thing that people do and is a key part of our democracy.

 Is there anything else you would like to share?

At the Living Room I met people who have been dealing with EGFR – my specific mutation – for a decade or more. My whole worldview shifted that night to, “I can do this.” Before being involved in this lung cancer community, I thought that if my disease progressed it was the end of the world. Now I realize that if the cancer progresses, I just keep going.