I plan to continue to spend my time and resources investing in future cures for cancer. Especially lung cancer.

It is not well known that lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in women and the second most common cancer in women. Although lung cancer overall is decreasing because of declines in tobacco use, lung cancer among people who have never smoked has been rising significantly, and two-thirds of people diagnosed lung cancer with no smoking history are women.

Despite lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., it’s significantly underfunded. Lung cancer receives $4,438 per death in NIH research funding, whereas breast cancer receives $19,869, prostate $9,135, colorectal $7,565, and pancreatic $5,932 (source). I plan to raise awareness and fight for more resources for lung cancer patients overall.

Having cancer hasn’t been easy. As a person I have changed a lot, and probably the most important lesson I have learned is just to focus and enjoy the present! Life is unpredictable for everyone, with many unknowns, but there is a lot of beauty in everyday life. My goals going forward are to enjoy the present as much as possible and fight for better understanding and cures for this disease.

— Susan