If there is one thing we learned last year, it is that we are stronger together. Despite the ongoing pandemic in 2021, we rallied our community to help transform survivorship. We persevered and expanded vital services to meet the increased demand for information, support, and connection.  We launched innovative research studies. We raised our collective voices for greater federal support for lung cancer research, screening, and treatment, and so much more.  Yes, we accomplished a lot last year because the “power of together” was on full display working to drive life-saving change.

OFFERING SUPPORT, CONNECTION & HOPE

You can expect GO2 for Lung Cancer to build on all this progress in 2022. We will expand our online Lung Cancer Living Room educational and support series, host signature events, and grow Gathering HOPE, our monthly community social hour. We also will bring our supportive roots to more local communities by expanding our relationships with healthcare facilities across the United States in our Shine a Light on Lung Cancer program to educate, connect, and celebrate our community.

As the stewards of the Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM) Coalition, we aim to raise international awareness as we come together to transform lung cancer survival by amplifying the conversation all around the globe of the importance of early detection, treatment, and research.  And yes, you can always count on hearing a compassionate and helpful voice via our HelpLine, LungMATCH Treatment & Trial Navigation, Phone Buddy, and other patient/caregiver facing programs.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE

In 2022, continuing to improve access to high-quality lung cancer screening and care will remain a core focus as we grow our Centers of Excellence (COE) network, which now includes almost 900 primarily community-based medical facilities, including Veterans Medical Centers in 47 states and the District of Columbia. We are excited to be unifying our COE program this year under a single umbrella with multiple designations of excellence that can be earned by our provider partners. We will also be holding our annual COE Summit, which brings together medical providers, partners, and patients to improve access to high quality and lifesaving screening and care in local communities across the country—communities where the majority of people get their care.

LAUNCHING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH

Our innovative patient-centered research programs will thrive in 2022 as we delve deeper into studying the underlying causes of lung cancer, especially in younger people, as we look at risk factors related to environmental, occupational, and family histories. In addition, we’ll continue to research disparities in care, promote inclusivity, improve access to clinical trials, and ensure biomarker testing is available to vulnerable and underserved communities. We have already hit the ground running with the launch of our expanded and improved Global Lung Cancer Registry as part of our commitment to continuing to innovate and guide programs to meet our vision of doubling survival rates from 20% to 40% by 2025.

ADVOCATING FOR EXPANDED ACCESS AND FUNDING

In 2022, we will again host our Virtual Lung Cancer Voices Summit, bringing together advocates  from around the country to take part in meetings with Senate and House Offices to tell their stories and ask for continued federal funding for the Lung Cancer Research Program. At the state level, we will continue to ensure that our health care delivery system is working to benefit our community—including increasing and improving access to comprehensive biomarker testing to guide the best treatment decisions. Finally, we will continue to engage our partners in expanding screening coverage to a broader group of at-risk people.

CONCLUSION

Although we know that it has and continues to be a challenging time for the millions of Americans facing the risk of lung cancer, there is good news. We are better prepared than ever before. We have better approaches to early detection, more effective treatments, more medical centers operating at the highest standards, and more community support. It is not just good news—it is real and tangible hope.