August 1

August 1st is World Lung Cancer Day, and I’m taking a moment to recognize the strength of everyone touched by this disease. Lung cancer doesn’t care about age, background, or lifestyle — it impacts families everywhere.

Lung cancer is not just a “smoker’s” cancer — it can affect anyone, at any age. An alarming number of people under 50 are being diagnosed with lung cancer despite having no history of smoking or previous cancer.

Anyone can have lung cancer. I thought my annoying cough was just allergies. After a year of not being able to shake it, I finally saw a specialist. One chest CT scan later, my life changed.

I’m now two years into the fight — down one-fifth of my lungs, two rounds of radiation, one chemo, and now on my second clinical trial drug. But I’m still fighting.

I always tell people just starting their fight: “Keep on keeping on — you never know how hard you can fight until it’s for your life.”

Let’s spread awareness, encourage screening, and show love to those who are fighting or grieving. Every voice helps. Every share matters.