Shared Stories

Carley F. I was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 35. I am a nurse with a then 4-year-old son. I came down with a cold that turned into bronchitis and then into what I thought had to be pneumonia. I would get short of breath with my everyday tasks and I had a

Carla W. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! This is what my life is about. I have always lived a very active healthy lifestyle. I have never smoked and I'm an active runner. I was initially diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 42. I was shocked!

Carla G. In January, 2014, I decided to have a scan, as my children's father was dying of lung cancer and I was an ex-smoker, for nine years at the time. The scan was only $49 here at IU Ball Memorial and was like any other ct scan, quick and painless. A smal

Cara M. I'm an avid cyclist. Last autumn, my husband and I moved to a place that was at the top of a small hill. I rode my bike through most of the fall and winter months, and soon it got easier and easier to bike up the hill. I was getting stronger.

Candy B. I was diagnosed April 2013. Initially, I had gone to my family doctor for a routine annual physical. My mother had passed away from mesothelioma and my siblings and I get yearly x-rays because of this. Despite this resolution, I had been extremely bu

Candi T. I have never smoked a cigarette in my life. I was diagnosed eight years ago with stage four lung cancer and given one year to live by two different doctors.

Caitlin H.

Buddy R. In early Feb, 2011 I went to my primary care physician to be treated for what was thought to be pneumonia. A chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI and bronchoscopy later, I was diagnosed with SCLC (limited) with a partial collapse of my upper right lobe.

Bruce H. I am a physician. In my practice I take care of the many patients who have lung cancer. I have seen firsthand how this silent and deadliest of cancers has persisted, even as smoking has declined. Most disturbing has been the dramatic increase of this

Bruce D. I am a 51-year old never-smoker in otherwise great health who, after experiencing wheezing and shortness of breath while exercising, was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer with the ALK mutation.

Brooklyn S. My step mom, Rita, came into my life when I was 8 years old. From the start, she loved my brother and I like we were her own. I would look forward to going to her house on my dad's weekends because she would always have something fun for us to do.

Brittany H. I lost my mother to lung cancer almost three years ago. I hope to spread awareness and improve research for lung diseases.

Brittany G. Laying in bed, I opened the text. Pneumonia? Wait, what? She had been battling a cough for 3 years. Was it pneumonia the whole time? Thinking we had finally found the cause of the mystery cough, I called off work and headed to the hospital.

Bridget M. cancer, one COPD, and one asthma. hatred of smoking. My dad was a long time smoker with emphysema. Eventually, he developed COPD and was tied to a oxygen machine. Daughter, pneumonia, asthma.

Brian H.