Week 7

National nonprofit wants to double the survival rate of lung cancer by 2022

News-Sentinel.com
By Ellie Bogue
April 3, 2013
http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130403/NEWS/130409899/0/FRONTPAGE

Summary:

[Story]
Cathryn Robertson suffered from lung cancer. When she went to her doctor, it was diagnosed as a pulled muscle at first, but she later learned that she had stage four lung cancer. Even though she had never smoked, neither had anyone in her family, she was experiencing that pain. However, there was a family history of cancer. At stage four the cancer had already spread through her body. Her prognosis was terminal, and by age 57 she was dead.

In an effort to come to terms with her mother's death and create something positive out of something so profoundly negative, Kristen Robertson decided to get the word out about lung cancer. She joined Free to Breathe Fort Wayne, part of the nationwide Free to Breathe event series that raises found for the National Lung Cancer Partnership. The National Lung Cancer Partnership advocates research, awareness and change. Free to Breathe in Allen County does grass-roots fundraising for the national nonprofit organization. The local organization held its first fundraising event in Fort Wayne. The national organization wants to double the survival rate for lung cancer patients by 2022. They plan to do this by funding more research, treatment, tumor testing and clinical trials.

Opinion:

Unfortunately, 50 percent of the people diagnosed with lung cancer have a family history or a lifestyle that contributes to the risk, like smoking. However, the other 50 percent of the people who develop lung cancer have no family history, no known environmental hazards. Since lung cancer has very few symptoms until its late stage, it is very difficult to find. The organization is working to make sure information is getting out to patients about treatment options as well as to educate the public about the disease. It also develops additional programs. People can save several lung cancer patients by supporting and fundraising for this national nonprofit organization. This actually helps a lot to increase survival rate. I sincerely hope that many patient can get a proper treatment for their diseases and get lots of supports from the organization.