Jenny W., OK

My journey with lung health is deeply personal and multifaceted. As an ordained minister for over twenty years, I have been a witness to countless difficult yet sacred moments—listening to church members as they process the news of an abnormal chest X-ray, sitting in prayer with families before a biopsy, and helping them navigate the agonizing wait for pathology results. Too often, I take a deep breath and pray my voice doesn’t break when I hear, “It’s lung cancer.” From that moment on, I walk with them through treatments, hospital stays, and, for some, offering a prayer with family members as they gather at the bedside of their loved one as they take their last breath. It is a difficult journey but also one filled with profound and awe-inspiring moments.

My empathy for those facing lung cancer is shaped not only by my pastoral role but also by personal experience. In the early 2000s, my great-aunt Treva was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She lived in Oregon, while my family was in Oklahoma, I remember my grandmother’s long phone calls trying to persuade Treva to seek treatment. But she remained steadfast in her decision to forgo medical intervention, despite her sisters’ pleas reminding her, “We still have lots of quilts to quilt.” A lifelong smoker, she had never undergone early screening. I vividly recall watching her turn off her oxygen to smoke a cigarette, then turning it back on afterward. Her decision to pursue only comfort care meant that she passed quickly.

Beyond my ministry and family’s experiences, I have my own lung disease story. I have lived my entire life with chronic asthma—once classified as severe, chronic, and steroid-dependent. Over the years, this has led to airway remodeling and bronchiectasis. I know what it means to struggle for every breath, to live with the exhaustion of chronic illness, to plan my activities around air quality. I have firsthand experience navigating the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchange, seeking the best coverage I could afford to stay healthy.

This is why I am passionate about advocating for better lung health for all. I am committed to using my voice to push for increased access to early screenings, quality healthcare, and comprehensive insurance. I believe in educating our youth on the dangers of smoking and vaping I will continue fighting for clean air initiatives. Together we can provide a better future for everyone’s lung health.