Lung cancer’s impact on my family was devastatingly swift and profound. My mother, a vibrant 73-year-old who had stopped smoking over 40 years ago, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in April 2024. Despite her decades of not smoking, she was never advised to undergo lung screenings or biomarker testing. Her repeated bouts of pneumonia prompted us to push for further examination, only for us to discover the cancer that would take her life on July 5, 2024.
Known for her kindness and unwavering dedication to checking on others, my mother’s passing left a void that deepens my commitment to continuing her legacy. Through my advocacy work, I strive to honor her spirit by raising awareness and ensuring that others benefit from the preventative measures that eluded her.