About LUNGevity

LUNGevity Foundation was founded by seven Chicago-area lung cancer survivors in November 2000 to increase funding for lung cancer research.

Upon being diagnosed with lung cancer, these individuals learned that while tremendous progress had been made in detecting and treating many of the deadliest cancers over the last two decades, little progress had been made to save the lives of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer. This slow progress was due, in great part, to a lack of funding for lung cancer research. While funding for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer research had grown exponentially over the years, there had been no corresponding growth for lung cancer research.

Since its inception in November 2000, the Foundation has committed to co-funding more than $5 million in innovative lung cancer research projects at the foremost cancer programs in America. LUNGevity Foundation partners with the American Cancer Society Illinois Chapter, American Lung Association, American Thoracic Society, Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships, and The CHEST Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the American College of Chest Physicians) to make its research awards.

Named one of Charity Navigator's top-ten fastest growing charities in 2007 and 2008, and awarded its coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management in 2008, LUNGevity is the premier grant-making nonprofit organization funding lung cancer research and providing support to people affected by lung cancer.

The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to save lives and to ease the burden of lung cancer on patients and their loved ones. In order to fulfill its mission, the Foundation:

  • Funds the most promising, innovative, and impactful medical research into diagnosis, treatment, and cure of lung cancer.
  • Provides emotional support for lung cancer survivors and their loved ones by creating community.

LUNGevity Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Download our 501(c)(3) nonprofit determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service.

For More Information about the LUNGevity Foundation, Click Here!  

ABOUT WALK THE WALK:
We are an extremely dedicated group of individuals who have been directly affected by lung cancer. As a result, we are committed to doing whatever is in our power to find the cause, the best treatments, and ultimately, the CURE for lung cancer.

HOW WE GOT HERE:
It was over 5 years ago when John Molyneaux of Fenton was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. After his diagnosis, John began the first of several rounds of various treatments. Along the way, John & his wife, Rochelle, became increasingly active in the Lung Cancer Support Community, both offering support as well as receiving support from others in similar situations. As they grew closer to other members of the LCSC community, Rochelle, driven by her husband's strength & determination, became a Committee Member of the Boston Lung Cancer Walk. Through much planning, Rochelle became an integral part of the phenomenal success that the Boston Lung Cancer Walk experienced in its first years.

Meanwhile, in the spring of 2007, Nancy Heystek-Kline was diagnosed at Stage 4 with Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer. It was after her diagnosis that her family & friends began to learn more and more about lung cancer, and found themselves discouraged to find that such a little amount of money was spent on lung cancer annually. In honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, her friends & family found & registered for the Boston Lung Cancer Walk, which as luck would have it, allowed Satellite Walkers! It didn’t take long before Team Nancy began their efforts to raise awareness as well as money for lung cancer research. Their plan was to hold their satellite walk in downtown Fenton.

Throughout many correspondences with the folks out in Boston, Team Nancy soon discovered that ironically enough, a Boston Lung Cancer Walk Committee Member lived right here in Fenton! John's wife Rochelle was a huge help in organizing Team Nancy’s Satellite walk, and joined the Team for their walk on October 26, 2007.

Sadly, we've lost both John & Nancy to this terrible disease. It is in honor of John & Nancy’s brave fight and also in honor of the 200,000+ others diagnosed with lung cancer this year that we Walk the Walk.

With the addition of lung cancer survivors Lindsay Regan and Joe Bono, we have experienced great challenges in recent years, and yet are extremely energized and motivated to change the stigma that surrounds lung cancer and do whatever it takes to increase awareness and funding for lung cancer research.

Brought together by fate, the Walk the Walk Committee Members are determined to help make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with this deadly, non-discriminating disease. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

No one deserves cancer, but everyone deserves the hope that someone is out there striving for better treatments and ultimately, a CURE. Help us give that hope to the thousands and thousands of people determined to LIVE with lung cancer.