Survivor Strong: My Rearview Mirror

Donna-Lee Lista

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month (#LCAwareness). Donna-Lee, a lung cancer survivor and advocate for lung cancer research talks about lung cancer research, and her hope for lung cancer treatment in the future.

When I see all that has transpired in the last few years regarding lung cancer research, I can’t help but hope that maybe all the work the advocates are doing has something to do with it. I want to believe we are making a difference and want to hope if we keep it up, we can see it through. Maybe it is a dream that doctors will completely cure lung cancer, maybe it is more realistic to strive for treatments that make it a chronic disease, but why not reach for the sun and if we have to settle on the stars that will be ok for a short while too? Once we get there, we re-group and keep on going.

My wish is that people will start feeling hopeful when all the latest research and development in lung cancer becomes common knowledge. I know that any cancer diagnosis is awful and not a club anyone wants to willingly join, but let’s face it, there are some cancers that offer a lot more hope than lung. But now, it won’t be so hard to find survivors to hold your hand through the ordeal because more are living longer and more are being cured. I recognize we have a lot to still accomplish, but compared to where we were, the train has really started to leave the station.

I know we are only at the threshold of a new world order for lung cancer, a precipice of sorts, and I understand there is a lot more to do. But, there is finally something to see in the rearview mirror, because we are moving ahead and that my friend is exhilarating!

Learn More About Lung Cancer Treatment at Penn

Join Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the Pennsylvania Lung Cancer Partnership for a day of information about lung cancer treatment and research, as well as, a chance to network with others at the 6th Annual Focus On Lung Cancer Conference.

Get information about lung cancer and these topics:

• Ask the Experts
• Diagnosis
• Chemo and Personalized Therapies
• Coping
• Integrative Medicine and Wellness
• Nutrition
• Proton and Radiation Therapy
• Research and Clinical Trials
• Risk, Screening and Prevention
• Robotic Surgery
• Symptom Management

Register for the Focus On Lung Cancer Conference at Penn

Date: Friday, November 22
Time: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm
Location: Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Register: Registration is free. Join us for the 5th Annual Focus On Lung Cancer Conference