By GO2 Senior Director, Support Initiatives, Maureen Rigney, LICSW 

Win Boerckel receiving Lung Cancer Support Group Facilitator Award

Win Boerckel receiving GO2’s inaugural Lung Cancer Support Group Facilitator Award in 2009

Treasured GO2 friend and staunch lung cancer advocate, Winfield Boerckel, died in May following a diagnosis of brain cancer. Some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting or working with Win over the years.  

A social worker at CancerCare since 1996, Win ran a lung cancer support group on Long Island from 1997 until his retirement at the end of 2022. He was frequently called upon to share the perspectives of the lung cancer community on advisory boards and presented regularly at national and international conferences.  

Win’s first wife, Mary, died from cancer in 1982. He turned that difficult experience into further service by getting his master’s in social work, followed by his long career at CancerCare. His dedication to lung cancer was recognized in many ways, including receiving GO2’s inaugural Lung Cancer Support Group Facilitator Award in 2009, being nominated for CURE’s Lung Cancer Heroes Award in 2020 and being recognized for his 20-plus years of leadership to the Global Lung Cancer Coalition’s (GLCC) steering committee. You can read more about his expertise and commitment in the Lung Cancer Heroes 2020 essay book, starting on page 64. 

Everyone is more than their diagnosis or what they do for work. At his core, Win was a kind man with a great sense of humor. And he was impressive! He not only had an MSW but his MBA as well. He loved to bike. When we first met in 2007, he had just served as a team member on a Tour of Hope, a cross-country bike ride that raises awareness of the promise of cancer clinical trials and cancer research.  

Win with GLCC's achievement award

Win with GLCC’s achievement award

He was also an avid kayaker. Each year, he and his wife, Nancy, stayed at the same cabin in Maine for relaxation and kayaking. Win’s love of railroads made him a wonderful travel companion and I wish I remembered more of what he told me about all the different types of trains and tracks in our global travels with GLCC.  

The last time Win and I saw each other in person was in Vienna last September. Win introduced me to a beer spot he and Nancy loved, Stadboden. As usual, we talked about everything under the sun. By then, we were also both doing Wordle and talked strategy and shared with whom we relayed daily Wordle triumphs and defeats.  

Since 2021, most mornings I wondered if Win and I were doing the mini crossword at the same time. Now, every day, those games are a daily reminder of the friend I love.  

Thank you, Win, for your service to the lung cancer community.