A Lung Cancer Diagnosis Inspired a Research Nurse to Fight Stigma Around the Disease

Receiving a lung cancer diagnosis was completely life changing for Alesha Arnold, a breast cancer research nurse.

Arnold, who was honored at CURE®’s third annual Lung Cancer Heroes® awards ceremony, said that her diagnosis inspired her to give back to her community and fight the stigma that people with lung cancer face.

“I want to continue to give back to my community and let people know … that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer,” Arnold said in an interview with CURE®.

Transcript

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, and it has completely changed my life …

I'm a research nurse. And that's something I do — I work in oncology and being diagnosed with lung cancer has made me see things through the lens of a patient, and the lens (of) a health care professional. So I'm able to see two different views on cancer in general.

Also, with being a lung cancer survivor, it lets me know that I want to go out and help others, because as long as I have the strength to do, I want to do more; I want to continue to give back to my community and let people know what lung cancer is about and that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, and that there should not be any discrimination based on any lifestyle that you may have that anyone with lungs can … have lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Hero® Alesha Arnold passed away on Feb. 5, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy, education and awareness in the cancer community.

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