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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.

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

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

Nearly two years later, Barbara Jones can still recall the exact date of her cancer diagnosis. “I will never forget it,” she says.

She had rushed to the hospital after waking up in the wee hours of the morning with an excruciating pain in her upper back. She couldn’t catch her breath.

Fifteen minutes after entering the Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park emergency room Barbara received a diagnosis that took her by surprise: She had a cancerous mass on her lung.

“It was upsetting,” she recalls, telling the doctor, “You’re lying to me. This can’t be.” Barbara’s anxiety was compounded by the fact that she had just lost her brother to lung cancer. He died in November and she was diagnosed in December, eleven days before her birthday.

Barbara was shocked by the original diagnosis because she had no other symptoms and she prides herself on leading a healthy lifestyle. Barbara sought a second opinion from her primary care physician, who is also at Einstein. He confirmed the diagnosis.

BARBARA RECEIVES EXPERT TREATMENT FROM A TEAM OF SPECIALISTS

Soon Barbara was under the care of a team of specialists at Einstein who worked together to develop her unique treatment plan. “There were three doctors working on me and they put it all together… They all filled me in on what they decided.”

“I was treated like a human being, not just a patient. My Einstein team went out of their way to do things for me.”

- Barbara Jones

She met with all of her doctors in a single meeting, each one providing details on their role in her care. “It went from A to Z. If it was medicine they explained to me, what it would do, what the after-effects would be, what I should do if I had any problems. They gave me facts and numbers, but also kept it simple, understandable. They gave me their home phone numbers and emails so I could get in touch if I needed anything.”

COMPASSIONATE PERSONALIZED ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO ALL ASPECTS OF BARBARA’S CARE

Clear communication and compassionate care at Einstein meant a lot to Barbara as she battled her lung cancer. “I was treated like a human being, not just a patient. My Einstein team went out of their way to do things for me, they handled all appointment scheduling and paperwork processing. It got personal and I still have contact with them today.”

EINSTEIN PRESCRIBES AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT TO BATTLE BARBARA’S CANCER

Barbara calls her treatment “my own clinical trial” because her specific care plan was so aggressive. Once doctors discovered her lung cancer had metastasized into her chest wall they prescribed the strongest doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatments allowable at the same time. “It just shows they were doing whatever they could to save me.”

BARBARA APPROACHES HER LIFE AS A CANCER SURVIVOR WITH AN UPBEAT ATTITUDE

Barbara faced cancer with a strong spirit and now tells others, “The best way to handle something is to stay positive and have faith, especially in the program at Einstein. Put that right foot forward and don’t step back.”

Team Draft would like to thank survivors like Barbara who have shared their story showing people that there is HOPE. Share your story today to do your part to Change the Face of Lung Cancer.

Hossein Borghaei, DO
Director, Thoracic Medical Oncology
Co-Leader, Thoracic Cancer Service LIne
After completing my fellowship at Fox Chase, I joined the medical staff in 2004. I have a special interest in lung cancers. I believe in offering my patients the newest therapies available, which include antibodies and other immune-based therapies.
My laboratory research is focused on the production of monoclonal antibodies against novel targets in tumor blood vessels. These antibodies have the potential to be used in the treatment of several types of cancer. In addition, my other research interest is to learn how the body’s immune system plays a role in the fight against cancer.

We would like to thank Fox Chase Cancer Center , and Hossein Borghaei  for being a part of our National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer. Donate today to help us continue the campaign.

Dr. Margie L. Clapper, a cell biologist, is director of chemoprevention research at Fox Chase Cancer Center. A tenured member of the scientific staff, her interest in chemoprevention dates to 1991, when she created a laboratory program at the Center, one of the first of its kind, to develop and test methods of cancer chemoprevention—the use of natural or synthetic substances to prevent cancer. The goal is to identify people at high risk of cancer and to develop strategies to reduce these risks through prevention and early detection. Now internationally known for her preclinical chemoprevention studies, Clapper serves on a number of National Cancer Institute review panels, external advisory boards and professional committees, including the European Commission’s collaborative group on genetic susceptibility to environmental carcinogens. She is a member of the editorial boards of Cancer Prevention Research, Clinical Cancer Research and the Journal of Clinical Oncology and a reviewer for many other journals. Clapper’s current research uses laboratory models of heritable and colitis-associated colorectal cancer and smoke-induced lung cancer to develop clinical therapies for the prevention of early cellular changes that lead to cancer. Results from this translational laboratory research have already provided the scientific basis for several clinical chemoprevention trials at Fox Chase. Her earlier work includes the first attempt to develop a cancer preventive regimen for individuals with ulcerative colitis. A graduate of the State University of New York at Oneonta, Dr. Clapper earned her Ph.D. in genetics and cell biology at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. She joined Fox Chase as a postdoctoral associate in the department of pharmacology in 1986.

Fox Chase and Dr. Margie L. Clapper are playing their part with Team Draft’s National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer, and we would like to extend a huge thanks. Donate today to help us continue the campaign.

“I am nothing but I must be everything.” ― Karl Marx

On Dec. 28, 2010, I was told I had lung cancer. It didn’t seem possible. I was only 24!

Early in December I had experienced persistant chest pain that ultimately led me to my local Emergency Room. I received a CT Scan that showed a mass in the middle lobe of my right lung. On December 28, 2010 after a series of non-surgical procedures it was determined to be lung cancer.Read More

http://www.heathergeraghty.blogspot.com

Augusta, GA — Former Falcons and Panthers linebacker Chris Draft had some struggles on the field as a journeyman in the NFL. He played for 7 teams in 12 seasons including the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. But it was nothing compared to what he faced shortly after retiring.
This December, his wife Keisha died of lung cancer, just one month after the two were married.

Now Draft spends his time traveling around the country raising awareness about lung cancer and also hopefully lifting the spirits of those battling the deadly disease.

On Friday, Draft paid a visit to the GHS Cancer Center in Augusta. He says he hopes the patients can try to find some joy in their lives despite what they’re going through.

Team Draft is leading a National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer, and has visited over 45 Centers across the United States, and Canada. Our blog, The Draft Report is our way of sharing the stories of the amazing doctors and researchers who are working diligently to save lives, and improve the chances of people affected by cancer. Please help us continue the FIGHT! Respond! IT TAKES A TEAM TO TACKLE LUNG CANCER!