Next Event: Checked Get Fit

Run for your lung, Lung Cancer that is.

Running is good for your lungs, but now it can also help fight Lung Cancer.

You can take part in a run to raise money for the Georgia Chapter of the Lung Cancer Alliance. They want to get the word out about lung cancer and let people know it’s not just a smoker’s disease.

Shelia Knight, event coordinator says, “It is not like a lot of other cancers where it has a lot of funding and research, which is unfair because Lung Cancer kills more people than Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer ,Pancreatic and Prostate Cancer”

Sheila Knight started the event in honor of her parents who died of lung cancer.

Sheila Knight is Tackling Lung Cancer! from TEAM DRAFT on Vimeo.

A life long non-smoker, Joan Gaeta was a devoted wife, teacher, and mother of five. Diagnosed with lung cancer in early 2004, she fought a three and a half year battle before succumbing in July of 2007.

Reflections on her LIFE from her children….

“OUR FAMLY IS A CIRCLE OF STRENGTH AND LOVE. WITH EVERY BIRTH AND EVERY MARRIAGE, THE CIRCLE GROWS. EVERY JOY SHARED ADDS MORE LOVE. EVERY CRISIS FACED TOGETHER MAKES THE CIRCLE STRONGER.”  This passage has been on the wall in the Gaeta home for many years now; but it was never been as poignant as it was during and after mom’s battle with lung cancer.

The more full and complete a life is, the harder it is to memorialize. A rich life filled with love, commitment, and service to others is very difficult to honor with a few simple words. Mom’s life touched countless people in a many different and unexpected ways. Her life means different things to different people. The only common denominator in mom’s life … is love.

We, her children, will do our best now to properly honor our mother, Joan Marie Gaeta. Those who knew her know what a full, rich, and complete life our mother led. The diversity of people that were at her funeral Mass was telling – friends and family gathered together from across many different places and times in mom’s life. This fact alone speaks volumes. She wore many hats; had many roles. Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother. We would like to share our view of mom and her life; perhaps allowing our memories to bring new perspective to yours.

“OUR FAMILY IS A CIRCLE OF STRENGTH AND LOVE.” Mom deeply understood love to mean sacrifice and selflessness. As Catholic Christians, we see this fact very clearly in the Cross. Mom lived it. Every mother knows of this love: Having children demands that you put their needs ahead of your own; constantly. Mom was no different. As the mother of five and a full-time homemaker, everything she did was geared toward the well-being of her husband and her children. For mom, it did not end there. She was only 32 years old when her in-laws moved into her home. 32 years old. For the next 17 years, she sacrificed a portion of her marriage with dad. For 17 years, she took on this added responsibility and stress…all for the love of others – her husband, of course; but also her in-laws, because they too were children of God and it simply was the right thing to do.

It wasn’t too long after her in-laws passed that mom took on the responsibility of caring for her own aging mother. Although Nanny was in an assisted living home, mom simply did not feel her mother was getting the quality of care that only family could provide. For six years, mom visited Nanny almost daily – dressing her, doing her laundry, and generally making sure that her mother’s last days were spent in dignity and with respect. This ended only after mom’s diagnosis with cancer.

Mom’s love to her family was much more than this and was evident in innumerable ways to us kids, in both small and large ways. I use the term “love to her family” rather than “love of her family” on purpose. To Mom, love is not just an emotion; it is not just a feeling. Love is an action. A verb. Mom’s love to her children and to her husband was always a verb. An action. Tangible actions, like waking her children with a gentle stroke on the arm accompanied by a beautiful voice singing of, “Rise and shine! Give God the glory, glory!” Or, she’d tuck you in tight and lay in bed with you for a bit, bemoaning the need to get up for school every bit as much as you were. Tangible actions, like every unsung thing she did around the house to keep it running smoothly. Cooking. Cleaning. Laundry. Errands. (Cooking? Best Eggplant Parmesan in the world.) Things we didn’t notice at the time; but, if not done, would send our lives into chaos. Tangible actions like providing a stable and loving home. Tangible actions like her love to our father that led her to cook for over 50 people each and every year, hosting parties for Dad’s management team at GE Capital.

But much, if not most, of Mom’s love to her family came in intangible ways. Lasting examples of service to others and, quite simply, doing the right thing. Some examples:

- Serving the rural poor through her work with the Glenmary Home Missions.

- Tutoring unwed pregnant teenagers at the Nazareth House.

- Distributing clothes and food with St. Joseph’s community outreach program.

- Teaching English and basic monetary skills to a Laotian immigrant family.

- Taking people into our home, who had been rejected by others, when they needed a place to stay.

- And much more – volunteering her time and talent to anyone who needed it.

“DOING THE RIGHT THING.” This did not just apply to large acts of charity; but, in the little things that fill in the everyday moments we call “life”. We used to tease Mom about her strict adherence to “rules”. Mom never broke the rules or took short-cuts to anything. It was a running family joke. Mom never compromised her ethics or principles, regardless of the circumstances. This would sometimes annoy us, or cramp our style. But it was always “the right thing to do”, and we kids are all better people for it.

Mom’s selflessness did not stop with her family. Her constant acts of putting other people’s feelings above her own extended to everyone in her life – friends, neighbors, and strangers alike.

Those who knew her, knew very well of mom’s intense fear of animals – particularly dogs. They knew the drill: when mom would visit their house, they would have to be sure that the coast was clear of all “pooches.” It was almost a ritual. As our sister Tina would say, “Mommy was afraid of dogs the way most of us are afraid of sharks.” But even mom’s fear of dogs could be used to illustrate her intense concern for others. Many years ago, mom was outside talking with a neighbor while Tina was waiting for her in the car. As they were talking, our neighbor’s dog jumped up and bit mom on the leg. Not wanting to embarrass her neighbor, mom never flinched…and carried on with the conversation as if nothing happened. Our neighbor never knew that mom had been bitten. Only after my mother got into the car did she reveal the pain she was in. In fact, my mom’s leg was bleeding through her jeans. A trivial anecdote on the surface; but, it illustrates mom’s priorities: others first, herself second.

Mom’s selfless character was evident even in her dying days. She was always thinking of others and never wanted anyone to feel bad or embarrassed. Although constantly fatigued and in pain, she felt bad that others felt bad for her. When people would come to visit her, she always wanted them to feel comfortable – not to be afraid for her or too upset. It would take literally all the energy she could muster to “put on a happy face”. Somehow, she could always manage to turn the conversation away from herself and towards the other person. The visit would inevitably be about how they were doing and what was going on in their lives, not focusing on my mom’s condition. No sooner would they be out the door then mom would be fast asleep…exhausted. She truly gave the last bit of her energy in life making those around her feel better.

“EVERY JOY SHARED ADDS MORE LOVE.” Mom was a woman full of joy and passion. Mom was our “Dancing Queen”. She loved to dance and often wished she had been born with “dancers’ legs”. We have absolutely no doubt in our minds that she is dancing in Heaven right now. She never looked more alive than when she and dad were dancing together at a party….a family get-together…. spontaneously on the beach…out on the deck…..or just in the kitchen. (Although … that on-all-fours rendition from the musical Cat’s was a little over the top!) So great was their dancing that they often “stole the show” at weddings. When they threw our brother a high school graduation party, they astonished Rick’s friends by taking over the dance floor – something that is still talked about to this day. When driving in a car with the radio on, mom was known to break out into a rhythm and hand motions….much to our brother Joe’s embarrassment as this was often done while driving in carpool. When the family would make our yearly trip to the beach, you could spot the lead car in our caravan by all the grooving and hand-motions coming from my parents’ car.

Those who know the Gaetas know that, as Italians, we love our food….and we love our drink. Mom was no different. The best times at our house are when we are all home for a holiday or any other party. Music playing….the smell of good food cooking….and Mom enjoying the perfect Martini. No one enjoyed a Martini like mom. In fact, it was very important that the cooking was complete – or at least that one of her daughters was on hand to help – before she indulged. Our sister Theresa will tell you that this is how she learned to cook like mom. Cooking is important, but enjoying a Martini and dancing? Now that is the stuff of life. “Mom’s got her Martini?….Is the food done yet?”

But, as much as Mom was passionate about dancing, cooking, or Martinis – nothing topped the passion of the love affair my parents shared for over 50 years. They were truly “one”. It is easy to speak in lofty terms about the depth of Mom and Dad’s love; their teamwork, their incredibly deep and lasting bond. We could write volumes about the example they set for us children and how their life together was built on something more. But, a simple anecdote best shows the passion that never left them. Even with five kids and the drudgery of everyday life, it was never unusual to see my parents…well…making out in the kitchen. They were not bashful about displaying their love in front of their kids – or anybody else who happened to be present. One day, when our brother Joe was five or six years old, he was leading a friend through the kitchen up to his room as they passed my parents in a deep and passionate kiss. Noticing the look of shock on his friend’s face, Joe dismissed it, saying, “Oh, don’t mind them…they’re married.”

“EVERY CRISIS FACED TOGETHER MAKES THE CIRCLE STRONGER.”  Perhaps mom’s most significant gift of love to her husband and children was given to us over these past three and a half years. Little by little, day by day, as this disease slowly overtook her, she could no longer care for others the way she used to. We now had to care for her. For nearly 50 years she gave. Cooking, cleaning, laundry and doing all the things that go unsung. How she hated to not be able to do such things for herself and for dad any longer. It wasn’t until mom’s illness that we watched our father learn to do these things. But it was so much more than that. He finally was able to care for mom in her time of need, as she had cared for him all those years. She who cared lovingly for her children, her husband, her mother and friends, could no longer care for herself. In her dying days she gave us the greatest gift of love, she let us love her and care for her in the most intimate of ways…..giving up her dignity and literally putting her life in our hands.

In the end, though she was helpless and couldn’t even talk, she was teaching us to love as Jesus loved. And that’s how we become stronger.

All this is echoed in some of mom’s last words as told to Deacon Larry Casey:

“It has been a wonderful journey with many loving stops along the way:

…the care, support, and nurturing I received for many years from parents and grandparents.

…the love and devotion given to me by this terrific man I have been married to for 47 years.

…the joy of giving birth to our five children and watching them grow and mature into men and women that any parent would be proud to call their own.

…the pleasure of hearing the silence of our home broken by laughter, hugs, and conversation that can only come from visiting grandchildren.”

The reality is that pain and suffering are a part of all of our lives while here on this Earth. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise any of us total happiness. What He did promise was life eternal for those who endure their hardships with faith, hope, love, and courage.”

The Gaetas are Changing the Face of Lung Cancer from TEAM DRAFT on Vimeo.

Everyone keeps telling me “There are no words.” Even I didn’t think I could find any worthy enough. Then, I imagined Joey’s courage and further developed my own. If I could just have half of his, I knew I could collect my thoughts. I closed my eyes and felt him instantly after he passed. His presence lifted my own. Fearless, I listened to my heart and nothing else. I immediately began to write…

Years ago, Joey once wrote on his painting, “Boxers and artists are a lot alike. Artists paint pictures with paint like a boxer throws punches.” Even then, Joey knew he was a fighter.

He was quiet. Some call it shy. We call it extraordinary. A man of few words but with a heart of verses. His silence was filled with pure goodness. And when he spoke, it was profound. We all listened in our own individual way. A family that heard his courageous fight. Together, we watched him- hiding his won struggle to prevent our own from overcoming us. We immersed ourselves in his grace, selflessness, strength, and deep love for us. He was relentless. And as he fought, our already strong family found a new meaning. The definition of family surpassed any human dictionary. W defined life, love, and unity through Joey. Without him saying a word, he taught us how to truly live- how to find strength when you think you have absolutely nothing left, how to truly be selfless, how to let petty differences disappear in the midst of what is important, and how to see someone’s true soul regardless of their physical presence.

I have watched my immediate family through all of this. And finally towards the end, I learned to be still.  To sit and observe. I started to understand even more and recognized so many blessings. The bigger picture finally appeared, and my eyes became wide open.

I saw my brother, Mark,  pour every ounce of himself into our brother. Silently, I thanked him for helping keep it the three of us because I always had two older brothers. I was amazed by his devotion and promise to protect Joey. Selflessly, he stood by Joey’s side through everything. He forgot himself completely, made Joey feel as if even the worst situation was “normal”, and I immediately recognized the father Mark will be someday. Their bond was priceless. As our favorite nurse at MD Anderson always said, “Mark is your brother’s keeper.”

Then, I watched my mother. Everyday, she became even more of his best friend. Her strength humbled me even when she thought she didn’t have any. Her endless sacrifice and comfort was immeasurable. She provided him more love and support than any mother could possibly give. Joey adored her and just felt “good” when she was around. Her presence was more potent than any medicine, and I know he lived for her as much as himself. She was angelic at his side at every moment, and I can only hope I can some day be half of the mother she is.

I also watched my father. He was present at all times. If anyone needed him, he was there with loyalty, support, and love. Holding his own tears, he stood before a family so afraid with his head held high. He wanted everyone to fell that we were in good hands as his own nervously shook.

I watched my Great Aunt Lucy miss Joey’s presence. At 96, she needed him. Even when she couldn’t speak, I saw her spirit weaken without him. They impacted each other’s lives simultaneously and shared a rare connection. His gracious, generous, and uplifting way with Lucy added years to her life, and I am forever grateful for this.

I also watched my sister-in-law, Sara, provide support and understanding wherever she felt appropriate. I watched her own uncertainty of what to do and sympathized silently. She remained present and understanding of her husband’s desire to protect his brother and family.

And lastly, I watched myself. I felt my growth. I saw myself remain still in the midst of chaos, speak from the heart, understand the true meaning of peace, and selflessly let go when it’s time because I recognized new beginnings. I found my role- to understand Joey and his needs for comfort for himself and my family. I finally listened to what he had endured and what he desired, and I embraced our spoken and unspoken connection. My moments with him have changed my life, made me fearless, and given me new beliefs and meanings of what is important.

Even as Joey lay in bed and couldn’t paint, he created a masterpiece. He painted our picture. My family dripped like the most illuminating colors imagined. Each of us a different shade! In silence, I sat with him and was so thankful that I took the time to watch this artist at work.

A hospital was no place for a soul like his. He is an angel- a son, a brother, a friend, a fighter, an artist. Humble in his talent, gracious with his heart, wealthy with his soul, wise in his silence, and authentic in his being. He lived as he painted, inspired as he fought, and loved with each stroke in his own special way. He created a masterpiece. He created a family. We were his canvas, yet he is the most extraordinary color we will ever see- a perfect hue!

Humbly,

Lauren B. Lerner

Mary Anne Rios, diagnosed in August 2010 with incurable Stage 3B Lung Cancer was a shock to me, and my family. I am a non-smoker. At that time we had only heard of smokers being diagnosed with lung cancer. We now know that if you have lungs you could be diagnosed with lung cancer. Although there are no pre-screening for early diagnosis for non smokers there are six important symptoms.
Here are the six symptoms printed in the October issue of Ladies Home Journal this past month. I had them all and was misdiagnosed by 3 doctors:

- A cough that lasts longer than three weeks, or any cough with blood
- Losing weight without trying
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, hoarseness
- Persistent chest, back or shoulder pain
- Unusual, ongoing fatigue
- Recurring respiratory infections – colds, bronchitis, pneumonia
for more details on symptoms please visit http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/

On October 4th, 2010 I asked my doctor why wasn’t’ there awareness for lung cancer as there was for breast cancer he turned the question to me. We agreed that due to the stigma of smoking, no celebrity spokesperson, and the political aspect lung cancer was left in the shadows.

But I was not going to give up. I wanted bracelets so I had my own made stating “Lung Cancer Sucks….And Then You Live” And because of the prayers, support, help with awareness and a new targeted treatment…. I could one of the 15% that survives.

On that same day I found Lung Cancer Alliance, and the organization was hosting vigils to raise awareness. I couldn’t wait to go. There was one in San Diego, perfect I thought I could see my niece. But then I saw the link to host your own…only a month away my family, friends, LHS colleagues, students (current & former) supported me in this effort and we had a successful event.

I have had over 80+ various chemo cocktail treatments, 50- radiation treatments to my chest (3 different areas), whole brain radiation, and spine radiation. I am currently on the new targeted treatment Tarceva, a pill taken daily, and a monthly shot called Xgeva for the cancer in my bones/bone marrow.

My diagnosis:
Non small cell Lung Cancer Adenocarcinoma metastasized to 3 brain tumors
Supraclavicular adenopathy
Secondary Malignant neoplasm of bone and bone marrow

My last scans showed small spots on my good lung, a spot on my liver….but the Tarceva appears to be working as my brain tumors are negligible, and my lymph nodes have shrunk drastically.

Throughout this journey we have had many ups and downs. When you never stop being treated for lung cancer it does become your life unfortunately. There have many things I couldn’t participate in for certain health reasons. So my family & friends made adjustments…and many of my bucket list wishes came true this last year.

My mission and wish is to RAISE AWARENESS FOR LUNG CANCER. So if you see a white ribbon you know it’s lung cancer. And if someone tells you they have lung cancer…the most insulting question you could ask is “how long did you smoke:” 28,000 Americans will die this year from lung cancer and being non-smokers.

Lung cancer kills more women/men then breast, colon, and prostrate combined. But is the least funded, and the one doctors & patients are uneducated and uninformed.

Seven months ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. As a non-smoker, this came as a complete shock, surreal—impossibility. Many women in my family had battled breast cancer, including my mother, and it was always breast cancer that I feared was around the corner. In my mind, along with most of the population, lung cancer was a smokers’ disease. I had watched my father, who smoked for over 40 years; lose his fight to lung cancer 13 years before my diagnosis. As it turns out, my cancer, which had spread to my adrenal gland, abdomen and chest and lymph nodes before it was discovered, was caused by a gene mutation (EGFR), something completely beyond my control. It had been growing, silently, for five to seven years before a common cough and a chest x-ray exposed a mass in my lung.

At 47, the news that I had inoperable and, according to the medical community, incurable cancer was devastating. As soon as my initial shock and depression could be forced aside, I decide that I would beat this disease. I would be the miracle patient, and I vowed to do everything within my power to fight for my life. I did extensive research in both western and holistic medicine. I selected an oncologist and began treatment at Northwestern with a daily oral chemo drug. At the same time, I volunteered to be part of a test group for a new experimental drug. At home, I purged my life of all carcinogenic chemicals, unnecessary dyes, fragrances and additives. I took steps to limit my exposure to unnecessary radiation. I overhauled my diet, completely eliminating sugar, meats and dairy, and moved to a primarily plant-based diet with an occasional fish. My oncologist thought all of these steps, especially my new diet, were unnecessary and possibly harmful, but when I returned for my first follow up CT Scan 6 weeks later, my tumors had shrunk by 30%–70%. The best (“stellar” was the word used) results my doctor had ever seen.

Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at the age of 40 years and in seemingly excellent health, an evening commuter came crashing into my SUV. I quickly phoned 911. Within moments there were lights and sirens coming from every direction. The paramedics gently placed me onto a straight board and took me to the local hospital where I underwent a variety of tests to verify the extent of my injuries. By the time the tests were completed the ER room I had been assigned to was filled with my family and our family doctor, Dr. Ayisha Gani. After a few hours of x-rays and tests the ER doctor told me he had “…good news and bad news”. He went on to say with surprise, “The good news is that there are no injuries, no fractures, nothing whatsoever as a result of the car accident.” Everyone was relieved, for a moment. “The bad news is there is something in your lower right lobe the size of my fist; we need to do some tests…” Dr. Gani, my personal physician explained to me that she was admitting me for additional tests which would more than likely involve a biopsy the following day.

The next day I had a biopsy performed and remained in the hospital while other family members made their way to Georgia. It was Thursday afternoon that Dr. Gani came to my hospital room with all of my family in the room and told me the news and said, “The biopsy results are in; there is a tumor growing in the lower right lobe; it has to come out right away, you have lung cancer.” I was shocked to hear this and asked if this was accurate. I asked her how this could have happened. Me? I never smoked

and neither did my parents. How could I get lung cancer? I was then told it was the fastest growing type of cancer cell, Adenocarcenoma. I had lung cancer. I never smoked and neither did my parents.

Later that evening my three sons were brought to my hospital room. They were 12, 14 & 16 years old at the time. I proceeded to remind them of the phrase they had heard throughout their life, “God works in mysterious ways”. As I reminded them of this phrase I repeated for them the sequence

of events that had played out over the past two days. I wanted to protect them from any unknown fears that the word “cancer” is typically associated with. They understood that surgery would be required and that the accident was one of “God’s mysterious ways” of letting me know there was something wrong inside me.

Two weeks later, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dr. John E. Moore performed the 14-hour surgery that would save my life. Dr. Moore removed the orange sized tumor from the middle and lower lobe of my right lung and 31 of my lymph nodes. At the time I was staged as “1b” but several years later a second pathology report indicated that I was actually at Stage III due to activity in a lymph node.

After 8 weeks of recovering from major surgery Dr. Moore installed a mediport which was the method of receiving 12 weekly treatments of chemotherapy (taxol & carboplatin) under the care of Dr. Thomas Seay of Atlanta Cancer Care. As of 12.30.05, my last chemo treatment, I have had no other cancer related issues. I continue to be closely monitored and screened.

I am a miracle. If it had not been for the auto accident I would not have known about the tumor in my lung. The cancer would more than likely have spread which would have been “too late” for treatment and I would have died in the spring of 2006. I am so blessed!

In January of this year (2012), my wife was diagnosed with Stage 1B lung cancer.  She had the tumor removed 13 days after initial diagnosis.  Her 6 month follow up CT did not show any additional spreading of the disease.  She was very fortunate that it was caught early.  We are very grateful and pray that the follow up CT scans are all good.

This experience has been very unusual in that the company I work for develops software to assist with the early detection of lung cancer. Talking about how important early detection has become very personal to me.

I have read Keasha’s story several times over the last 6 months and my heart really goes out to her husband and family.  It is just heartbreaking to hear about others affected by this insidious disease. There is so much more society could be doing in the way of research and awareness.

I would like to join Team Draft.  As my wife continues to rebound from her experience, I continue to ask what I could be doing to help others.  If there are ways I can become more involved with lending a hand, I would like to do so.

On a positive note, my wife is competing in her first Sprint Trial since her diagnosis.  I am very proud of her.

Sincerely,

Dan Clark

Phenomenal, brilliant, and driven are just a few words that characterize Dr. Keisha Kirkland. A woman of incredible poise and determination, Keisha Kirkland is the epitome of courage, strength, and the healing power of faith. Her radiant personality and warm spirit are evident in her smile and genuine love for people. A caring individual with a compassionate heart she contributes her time and talents to such organizations across the country as Uniting Against Lung Cancer, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Off the Field Players Wives Association. Endowed with a tremendous testimony and unwavering resolve, she is an extraordinary woman with an extraordinary mission. Together with her husband, former All-Pro linebacker Levon Kirkland, she is spreading a message of hope, faith, and perseverance and tackling lung cancer one day at a time.

A renaissance woman with a resume of accomplishments and accolades, Keisha’s achievements encompass everything from academics and athletics to modeling and medicine. A native of Danville, KY, Keisha attended the University of Louisville and then went on to complete here Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University where she graduated with Cum Laude honors in 2000. Today Keisha works as a Weather Anchor for WYFF Channel 4 – NBC Affiliate in Greenville, SC. Her devoted spouse, Levon, is the wind beneath her wings. An 11-year veteran of the NFL, Levon played nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and single seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, before retiring in 2002. Known for his great speed and agility, Levon’s strong play and tough defense earned him recognition as one of the top inside linebackers in the league.

No stranger to life-threatening illnesses, Keisha discovered she had a Pituitary Macro adenoma during her senior year of chiropractic school. After several brain surgeries, temporary paralysis, and a painstaking recovery, Keisha beat the diagnosis. As if four brain surgeries were not enough, Keisha was confronted with an entirely new challenge when doctors noticed a mass in her right lung during a scan of her heart. Keisha, a healthy non-smoker, was diagnosed with stage 3A non-small cell lung cancer in 2008, she endured surgery and months of radiation and chemotherapy. Keisha is a survivor committed to helping others win the fight against lung cancer.

She speaks to a variety of church and support groups on the importance of health, prevention, and healing through faith whenever she can. Keisha is a woman of strong faith and determination. Her hope is that someone hears her story and is inspired or encouraged through personal challenges.
Click here to watch Keisha’s video

During 12 years as a linebacker in the NFL, Chris Draft faced lots of tough opponents.

But after losing his young wife to lung cancer last year, Draft is taking on the disease that will be diagnosed in an estimated 226,000 Americans this year. Like many of those who develop lung cancer Keasha Rutledge Draft never smoked.

Last week, Draft was at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson as part of his campaign to raise lung cancer awareness and increase research funding for the disease that takes the lives of more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer combined. So far, Draft has visited almost 50 cancer centers in the United States

Meeting with Richard G. Pestell, MD, PhD, director of Jefferson’s Kimmel Cancer Center, oncologists Barbara Campling, MD, and Russell J. Schilder, MD, Draft emphasized the importance of the ongoing research into finding effective treatments for lung cancer.

And, meeting with patients at Jefferson, Draft noted that lung cancer sometimes gets overlooked by the public because it is so closely associated with smoking. But many lung cancer patients, like Keasha, were never smokers.

“If we can take away the stigma that says you have to be a smoker to get lung cancer, we have a real chance to educate people about the true nature of the disease,” Draft said.

The specialists of Jefferson’s Thoracic Oncology Program offer a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to treatment that continually evaluates patients through the entire course of treatment. The Program is at the forefront of using new drugs and innovative combinations of radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy to improve the outcomes for patients with every type of lung cancer.

For those at high risk of developing lung cancer Jefferson offers a Lung Cancer Screening Program that provides a low-cost, one-day, state-of-the-art screening.

The Program is one of the first in the region aimed at increasing early detection rates and treatment outcomes and works in conjunction with Jefferson’s Lung Nodule Clinic to evaluate those patients whose screening detects a “spot on the lung” or nodule.

Team Draft would like to say thanks to Jefferson for allowing our national campaign to come and see the work that is needed to Change the Face of Lung Cancer. Respond and Donate Today!

http://www.jeffersonhospital.org/The-Daily-Dose

MAPLE SHADE, NJ — It was a class act at A Touch of Class.

Almost 100 people partied at the catering hall to the tunes of the jazz band Adelante at the second annual Lungevity Foundation fundraiser to support victims of lung cancer and promote research.

Pro football player Chris Draft, whose wife, Keasha Rutledge Draft, died of the disease despite being a nonsmoker, stopped by for the event, organized by Heather Geraghty of Maple Shade at the North Fork Landing Road business.
Geraghty, 26, was diagnosed at age 24 and underwent surgery to have a large portion of her right lung removed. Since then, she has worked to promote and raise funds for Lungevity.

“She’s an inspiration,” said Kelly Freels of Maple Shade, who attended the party with her husband, Paul, a six-year survivor.
Freels said he was lucky that his cancer was discovered early while he was being treated for pneumonia.

Draft, an NFL free agent who visited several Philadelphia area hospitals and Montgomery County Community College to promote lung-cancer awareness through his Chris Draft Family Foundation, heard about the Lungevity event through Brad Saler of Mount Laurel, whose wife, Heather, also died from the disease despite being a nonsmoker.
Saler is organizing the ninth annual Heather Saler Lung Cancer Walk for Nov. 3 at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken.
Friday’s event netted almost $3,000 through the sale of tickets and proceeds of a Chinese auction of 50 donated items, Geraghty said Monday.
Lung cancer kills more adults than any other cancer, said Dr. Angel Rodis, a Virtua pulmonologist with the Garden State Pulmonary Associates, who spoke at the event.

“All the other types of cancer get all the attention,” Rodis said. “It’s still the most fatal of all the cancers in men and women.”
He noted that there is still no “screening for lung cancer. That’s the reason we don’t catch them early.”
Rodis also is concerned that smoking seems to be “back in vogue,” especially among the young.

“I’m not sure why,” he said.

Other speakers included Harriet Quinn of Maple Shade and Garry Sytsma of Tuckerton, Ocean County, both of whom have been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Quinn praised Geraghty for her efforts on behalf of Lungevity, while Sytsma urged smokers — who Rodis said make up 90 percent of lung-cancer patients — to try to stop.

He said Nicotine Anonymous is a program that helps. Chapters are located throughout the area.

Sytsma, 46, said he hopes new diagnosis tools will be developed to detect lung cancer earlier when it is more easily treated, rather than when people are at the most serious stage 4. A diagnosis at that time is “devastating,” he said.
Since he had a collapsed lung earlier, he didn’t realize the pain he was feeling in his chest was from lung cancer. He didn’t have a bad cough or other symptoms.
“It’s a horrible, very tough diagnosis,” Sytsma said. “Instant bad news for me.”
“I think there should be more awareness to detect and cure lung cancer,” he added.

His sister, Laura Sytsma, said breast cancer gets so much publicity — and rightfully so — “but this kills more people. Because you’re a smoker … (it’s) like you deserve to be sick. Superman’s wife (the late Christopher Reeve’s spouse, Dana) died of lung cancer, and she never smoked a day in her life.”

“There needs to be a lot more done for lung-cancer awareness,” said Lisa Eivell of Maple Shade, who was diagnosed four years ago and is doing well.

“I am a voice of hope,” Eivell said.

The next Lungevity project Geraghty is helping to organize is the Breathe Deep Philadelphia 3K Walk on Sept. 23 at the Piazza at Schmidt’s at Germantown Avenue and North Second Street.

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Courtesy of http://www.phillyburbs.com