Elaine L., MN

When something bad happens to someone you love very much, it’s personal.  When my 77 year old Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, lung cancer became personal for me. My Mom passed away in 2012. She was fortunate to have good medical care where she lived in New Jersey.

Since then,  I have learned how important the research and funding for health care has impacted outcomes for lung cancer patients and am here today to advocate for continued growth in funding.

 After making sure Mom was in good medical hands, I found that I was in good hands, too, with the American Lung Association and the Fight for Air Climb. The American Lung Association is relentless in finding treatments, cures and educating us all on how to keep our lungs healthy. COVID presented another good reason to support the ALA as one of the newest fronts for the “fight” as we learn more about long-term COVID and lung disease.  And any good effort requires advocacy: telling the story, sharing the mission and asking all to join in to make it happen. And that is why I am involved today.

Every year I find more reasons to climb.  Long-term COVID 19 has impacted friends who now have lung disease. This chronic illness raised my awareness of the importance of the CDC in protecting public health, along with regulation of environmental issues, including radon, that cause lung cancer. I lost a dear cousin to lung cancer last year and have several friends currently in treatment for lung cancer. This is still personal for me.

In 2023 I formed a climbing team for the Fight for Air Climb with two dear friends.  While we were acquainted before, the pandemic years brought us closer together and we do, indeed, feel like sisters. There were ups, and downs (just like the Climb), and each of us climbed for loved ones who lived with or died of lung disease. And so, the team of “The Step Sisters” was born!

Fundraising starts when family and friends rally on the first day of my Facebook post to contribute, with many new supporters added each year. It becomes easier to raise even more money as my network sees me as their Climber…climbing for their loved ones and contributing to the American Lung Association’s mission.

On March 7, 2026, I completed my 15th Fight for Air Climb in Minneapolis. I estimate that during that time my family, friends and I raised over $25,000.

In 2023, I participated in Advocacy Day as Minnesota’s Lung Force Hero. On March 29 I joined dozens of Heroes from other states to meet with our legislators and staff on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Much as it will be in 2026, we recognize the importance of accessible and affordable health care/Medicaid as well as the investment in research, education, and advancements in early screening and treatments that result from adequately funding the National Institutes of Health and CDC.