Turning Grief Into Advocacy: Ronnie’s Story

Lung cancer advocate Ronnie F. has nearly a decade of experience raising awareness about the disease in his wife’s memory. In 2013, Joan, an active woman with no smoking history, was misdiagnosed for 3 weeks before doctors discovered she had stage 4 (IV) lung cancer at just 56 years old. By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread to her hip, spine, lymph nodes, and rib. Joan and Ron were shocked because she had no symptoms or pain beforehand. Joan passed away in 2017, motivating Ron to educate others that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.

Being involved in the lung cancer community is important to Ron. “I do my best to honor Joan’s memory and help others avoid suffering, ensure they are diagnosed early, and know the importance of clinical trials.” Ron participates in the San Francisco Bay Area 5k Walk/Run and is a fierce advocate. He attends GO2’s Lung Cancer Voices Summit each year to educate members of Congress and their staff about lung cancer, and advocate for historic increases in lung cancer research funding, women and lung cancer legislation, and better healthcare policies that impact our community 

In addition to his work with GO2, Ron is also involved in the White Ribbon Project. This grassroots movement distributes handmade wooden ribbons to people impacted by lung cancer. The white ribbons serve as conversation starters to raise lung cancer awareness and shift public perception of the disease.  

“We need better awareness. We need better detection. We need better survival,” he said. “Due to advances in research like the trials Joan participated in, the 5-year survival rate for lung cancer has increased from 17% to now 23%. The increase in the advanced stage lung cancer survival rates is due to new treatments discovered over the last 5 years, thanks to clinical trials.” 

He continued, “It is vital to bring together the lung cancer community so we can collectively raise awareness and advocate for people with lung cancer to change the dialogue around the disease.”