Welcome to our Sunnybrook Community Event, where my urgency meets compassion in the battle against lung cancer. In 2024, the gravity of the message is underscored by the significant needs lung cancer faces. Over the past almost five years, I've lived with stage 4 lung cancer; too many lives have been lost to advanced lung cancer. It's the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Remarkably, in North America alone, lung cancer surpasses breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined in its toll on human lives.
Lung cancer has made remarkable strides, especially in the realm of genetic testing, paving the way for personalized, precise therapies tailored to each patient's unique condition. These targeted therapies extend lives and empower many, myself included, to lead high-quality lives. Yet, the journey is far from complete. Extensive efforts in research, education, and patient care are imperative to transform lung cancer into a manageable chronic disease akin to diabetes.
Despite its global impact, lung cancer remains in the shadows, primarily due to its historical association with smoking. However, risks exist beyond smoking due to factors such as radon or asbestos exposure, family history, and pollution. More funding is urgently required to pioneer lung cancer screening, enabling earlier diagnoses and expanding the array of treatment options available.
Lung cancer is a complex disease, with not all types having specific therapies. The high costs of scientific equipment and diagnostic tools pose challenges exacerbated by chronic underfunding. We can break these barriers and propel advancements in lung cancer research, education, and patient care.
Your support makes a tangible difference for Sunnybrook's dedicated lung cancer specialists and their patients. By joining our community, you contribute to our goal of improving the narrative around lung cancer. On behalf of myself and others facing similar battles, we express immense gratitude for your consideration and support. Together, we can change the trajectory of lung cancer and bring hope to countless lives. Thank you!