Shared Stories

Cheryl W. At my annual checkup in 2024, my primary care physician recommended and ordered a low-dose CT scan. I was afraid of what the test might find, since I started smoking as a teenager.

Krista S. In December 2020, I developed a lingering cough. Some days it seemed to improve, so I didn’t get it checked out. It continued into January, when I developed a raspy voice for no apparent reason.

Janice W. In January 2020, I was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. My local surgeon didn’t know what it was, so he referred me to Stanford.

Victoria N. This picture was taken after Thanksgiving 2024, when our mom was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma and an EGFR genetic mutation.

Rachel G. I used to live in Redlands, California — near San Bernardino in the Los Angeles suburbs, an area known as the Inland Empire — from 2014 to 2022.

Raymond P. I turned 86 this past March. I have been a resident of the Town of Middlebury, Connecticut, since 1964. I have been an involved and responsible resident, serving on various boards and commissions through the years.

Liz C. I'm a lifelong nonsmoker diagnosed with early COPD. I was diagnosed with asthma 25 years earlier, in my late 30s.

Debbie P. I have gotten bronchitis every single year from as early as I can remember. In 2013, I was 43 years old, and it was the same thing -- I went to the doctor for bronchitis and took medicine for it.

Linda T. My name is Linda and I am a 60-year-old wife, mother and grandmother. I want to shout from the rooftops how low-dose lung screening saved my life.

Russell W. EPA's Office of Research and Development asked me to develop a new NAAQS PM2.5 standard method – that is, to come up with a better way to measure fine particles to ensure a better health outcome for the American people.

H. Christopher F. During my time at the EPA, the Office of Research and Development’s work informed regulatory decisions involving air, water, land and chemicals. It informed enforcement actions, as well as cleanup and emergency response efforts in EPA’s regions.

Chet W. The most important thing I learned during my 30+ year career is that the civil servants in the EPA air office care deeply about providing clean air for everyone and doing it in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Miles E. K. State and local air pollution agencies work around the clock to improve air quality everywhere. And by working with our EPA partners, we’ve seen terrific success!

George G. I tried to quit more than a dozen times but was completely addicted. After my son was born, I knew I had to stop for good. I successfully quit through Freedom From Smoking and a year later got certified as a Facilitator. Now I help others quit.

Vanessa N. During a visit to New York City, I was on a subway that got delayed underground. They asked everyone to exit temporarily, but with no clear place to go, we were stuck.