CURE^® Lung Cancer Heroes® 2021 Essay Book

January 03, 2022

An oncologist from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia explains the early career mentorship that inspired his successful lung cancer career.

January 02, 2022

Not having known much about lung cancer, a woman describes her shock at receiving a diagnosis despite being a non-smoker.

December 31, 2021

A woman who has worked with Upal Basu Roy in the lung cancer space for many years explains why he is a lung cancer hero to everyone he has worked with, due to his dedication and empathy.

December 30, 2021

A lung cancer survivor describes a passionate advocate who has changed the world of many patients.

December 29, 2021

A man writes about how his wife’s doctor saved her life after she was given three weeks to three months to live.

December 28, 2021

A colleague describes Dr. Edward S. Kim’s devotion to improving lung cancer care and creating more inclusive clinical trial practices.

December 27, 2021

A woman writes about the unique lung cancer advocate who leads his endeavors with his heart for change.

December 26, 2021

After receiving an advanced non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis, a competitive runner and cyclist began running toward a new goal: becoming a lung cancer advocate.

December 25, 2021

Ellen Petree worked with local health care leaders and community nurses to help reduce the number of children who went on to use tobacco, lowering their risk for lung cancer.

December 19, 2021

A man writes about his wife’s oncologist, Dr. Frederic J. Kaye, and describes how he went above and beyond to provide supportive care during her lung cancer journey.

December 18, 2021

A colleague describes Dr. Nagla Abdel Karim’s exemplary compassion for patients with lung cancer and how she works hard to increase representation in cancer clinical trials.

December 05, 2021

A cancer survivor describes an inspiring close friend who has been dealing with cancer for 13 years and refuses to give up.

December 04, 2021

A woman explains how her close friend achieved remission from stage 4 lung cancer after being treated by Dr. Bret Friday – a superhero in her book.

December 03, 2021

A lung cancer survivor explains how a serendipitous friendship with her stepson’s girlfriend’s aunt changed her life.

November 29, 2021

Dr. Roman Perez-Soler received his original training in Spain but has been a constant beloved presence in the U.S. lung cancer arena for more than 30 years.

November 28, 2021

Simply put, Jan Poulsen is an inspiration to those diagnosed with lung cancer, a friend writes.

November 27, 2021

Lilian is a gentle soul who was placed on Earth for this purpose: to guide those with the most common cancer there is.

November 25, 2021

A colleague describes how Suzanne Walker has touched the lives of many patients with lung cancer over the years.

November 24, 2021

An oncologist explains why Tami Tittlefitz, a lung cancer nurse practitioner, is "one of a kind: a saint and a healer."

November 24, 2021

A lung cancer survivor explains how Dr. Brendon Stiles is an asset to the lung cancer community. "He is such an accomplished thoracic surgeon, but he is so humble and generous with his time."

November 22, 2021

A patient with stage 4 lung cancer explains why Dr. Shirish Gadgeel is a ray of sunshine and hope who makes patients with cancer feel that living a long life is a possibility.

November 21, 2021

Christine Eastep demonstrates the highest commitment to every one of the patients and her staff to improve the outcomes in lung cancer treatment, with a commitment to sending her staff nurses to tobacco cessation classes.

November 20, 2021

Dr. Roy H. Decker is a lung cancer hero — a “triple threat” in lung radiation oncology as a clinical innovator, teacher and ground-breaking clinical trialist, explains a colleague.

November 14, 2021

"Having been newly diagnosed myself, I saw how amazingly well she was doing and had been a survivor for about three years already," a lung cancer survivor writes about a connection she made with another survivor.

November 13, 2021

A patient with lung cancer explains how Terri Conneran, a patient advocate, helped her understand her disease and fight for proper care in a country with less options.

November 12, 2021

A lung cancer survivor shares a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Abraham Chachoua, who changed his life.

November 11, 2021

In an era of trauma, people whose buoyancy elevates both purpose and agency shine like a flashlight in the darkness. During the past year of uncertainty, Dave Bjork was that light for many.

November 07, 2021

Upal Basu Roy has a true gift of being able to think from his heart. He educates the patient community, helps patients navigate the fragmented system, fights for drug access issues in other countries, addresses disparities and supports patient-driven initiatives in research and advocacy.

November 06, 2021

Lung cancer is a dangerous and often silent killer for the residents of northeast Georgia. For Dr. Arfoosh, lung cancer screening, quick referrals and prompt treatment for people with newly diagnosed lung cancer are at the forefront of his daily work.

November 05, 2021

After Kelsey Ahmed’s mother, Martha, was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, Kelsey and her family got to work raising funds and spreading awareness for the American Lung Association.

November 04, 2021

By creating a community of survivors, researchers, physicians and clinicians, The White Ribbon Project — under Heidi Nafman-Onda’s direction — has influenced real change.

October 31, 2021

"Dr. Rosenzweig’s commitment to helping patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma is truly heroic," several colleagues write.

October 30, 2021

These are the powerful stories of real-life heroes in the lung cancer space who persevere with great compassion and teach us to embrace, not avoid, life’s setbacks and challenges.

October 29, 2021

"Dr. Hossein came to the United States by himself in his teens as a political refugee from the turmoil in Iran," writes a colleague who nominated him for the Lung Cancer Heroes® Award. "Completely on his own and through his hard work, scholarship, initiative and refusal to let things get him down, he went to college and then to medical school."