Spread the news about lung cancer

To the editor:

Most people don’t know that today, 427 people in this country will die from lung cancer; the number one cancer killer that claims more lives annually than breast, colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers – combined.

I know all the statistics because lung cancer has touched my life. I lost my grandmother, my best friend known as MOM, and a young cousin from lung cancer. There are many more, and they all come from this community. No one ever deserves to get cancer, and I know there are many of you out there who have suffered from this disease, whether it is you or a loved one. I know in our small community cancer affects so many if not all of us, and it is time we reach out and talk about it. Or community is at the higher end of the list for being most affected by lung cancer in our state. It’s time to find out why, and fix it.

Next week, I will join survivors and advocates from all over the country in Washington DC for the 2017 National Advocacy Summit hosted by Lung Cancer Alliance. We’ll voice the needs of our community to Members of Congress with requests for increased research funding and continued access to quality care.

I’m taking my voice to Capitol Hill, but we can make a difference in our community as well. If lung cancer has touched your life, tell people about it so they can get a better understanding of how it feels and how it impacts the lives of neighbors, friends and family. By sharing our personal stories, we can finally get a conversation going about a devastating cancer that continues to fly under the radar — lacking awareness and research funding. We need all the help we can get in order to finally win the battle against this disease.

Kari Pell,

Brazil

Lung Cancer Advocate