Mayra M., NY

My name is Mayra, and I am a Stage 4 lung cancer warrior. I live in Rockland County, New York, and receive care in New York City and Boston.

For many, hearing the words "lung cancer" once meant immediate doom—get your affairs in order, say goodbye to your loved ones. But I am here to tell you that, thanks to research, scientific advances, and organizations like the American Lung Association, I am a seven-year lung cancer patient.

Because of these advances, I’ve been able to see my two sons graduate from high school and college—one has completed law school, and the other is in his second year at Columbia’s School of Engineering. I celebrated turning 50, marking 32 years of marriage I once only dreamed of, and I continued working full-time until it was time to slow down. And this past spring, I watched my oldest son get married and had the privilege of a mother-son dance.

Like many others, my diagnosis came as a complete shock. At 49, during a routine checkup, a cardiologist at the top medical center where I work was concerned about my sudden high blood pressure. A heart CT scan led to an unexpected discovery—a mass in my left lung. I was a healthy non-smoker with no family history of cancer. Yet, there I was, diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer.

Early detection matters, and lung cancer screening must be a priority. It gave me years with my family. Biomarker testing was another game-changer. Upon my original diagnosis, I had genetic biomarker testing and learned I had the BRAFV600E biomarker, which shaped my treatment path. This biomarker meant that traditional chemotherapy and immunotherapy would not be my first-line treatment, but it led to targeted therapy when my cancer progressed to Stage 4 in 2021. Thankfully, I continued to have scans every three to six months, and in early 2021, I was found to have spread to the pleural effusion area of my lungs. After a thoracentesis, fluid was drained, and I started on targeted therapy.

The road as a Stage 4 patient is bumpy. Side effects from targeted therapy caused me to nearly lose my eyesight, so I had to stop the drugs temporarily and move to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Scans continue to monitor progress, and in 2024, we decided to start a clinical trial after chemotherapy and immunotherapy stopped working.

My doctor gave me a life-changing analogy that has become my mantra: “Your disease is like a train ride. Some trains will run smoothly, some will break down, and others may crash—but there will always be a new train waiting for you.”

Research, new drugs, and clinical trials are my trains.

I’ve been on four trains so far—each carrying me through side effects, progression, and uncertainty. But today, thanks to a clinical trial with a new targeted therapy, I am here. My disease is still active, but I am stable and living my life every single day with my beautiful family.

Being an advocate for the lifesaving research that is taking place every day is my cause. Whether it's raising awareness of early detection, removing the stigma of lung cancer, or protecting NIH, CDC, and Medicaid funding, it is crucial to fight for a cure—one I know is in our future because I believe in the power of hope, science, and community. Protecting NIH funding is vital for me and all lung cancer patients, as it provides the clinical trials and treatment options that can save lives.

While I am fortunate to have medical coverage, many of my fellow lung cancer warriors rely on Medicaid. Cuts to Medicaid would adversely affect every lung cancer patient on Medicaid, forcing them to worry about treatment options, medications, and daily care. I urge you to protect Medicaid so that we can all have equal access to lifesaving options.

Lastly, having access to educational and health information about the prevention and treatment of lung diseases is critical. Protecting the CDC is just as important.

Without the funding needed for NIH, CDC, and Medicaid, if my disease does not remain stable, will I have another train waiting, or is this my last set of options?

Lung cancer has taught me to value and appreciate every breath I take, and I hope you do as well.