Our heartfelt thanks go out to these advocates and everyone who has gotten involved in the lung cancer movement. You are the driving force behind the National Lung Cancer Partnership - and it is because of you that together, we will defeat lung cancer!

See who has been:
 • Giving patients hope by distributing patient materials
 • Raising public awareness by exhibiting at health fairs and other events
 • Making lung cancer research possible by fundraising for the cause
 • Supporting all the National Lung Cancer Partnership's programs by bringing Free to Breathe® events to their communities

Materials Distribution

The following advocates have been working this year to distribute patient education materials to hospitals, clinics and groups in their areas to help patients better understand what a diagnosis of lung cancer means:

Tammy Allred (NC)
Taylor Bell (NC)
Donna Boggs (GA)
Tom Cappiello (FL)
Tom Christian (CA)
Frank Convertino (MA)
Michele DeLong (TX)
Eileen Foley (FL)
Angie Hayes (CO)
Katie Johnson (NC)
Tammy Kelley (NC)
Lisa Maggio (KY)
Julie Miller (GA)
Hayley Parker (TX)
Jon Reens (IL)
Leslie Richter (CA)
Linda Salvati (CA)
Joan Schiller (TX)
Edna Roebuck Soto (GA)
Alicia Uhl (PA)
Lily Wai (WA)

Health Fairs / Info Tables

The following advocates have exhibited at health fairs or other events this year to raise public awareness of lung cancer:

Gregory Trachiotis, MD (DC): Info table at Lung Cancer Survivors Reception • November 17
Jim Dennison (NJ): Info table and presentation at Daiichi Sankyo Lunch and Learn • November 16
Jamie Morgan (IA): Awareness event at John Stoddard Cancer Center •
November 15
Joan Tashbar (FL): Gave presentation at library in Orlando • November 15
Cynthia Turner (GA): Display board at church • November 13
Kathy Olson (NM): Info at workplace (hospital) and T-shirts for staff to wear • November 11
Maram Musetif (TX): Info table at Dallas VA Medical Center • November 10
Angie Hayes (CO): Info table at local gym • November
Katie Johnson (NC): Info table at local hospital • November
Bridget Rossi (FL): Exhibit table at Baptist Medical Center • November
Suzanne Albers (OH): Info table at local pulmonology office • October 1; Info table at Fit Fest • October 14
Erin Fenske (TX): Info table at Baylor Sammons Cancer Center's North TX Lung Cancer Symposium • October 1
Donna Perry (RI): Info tables at a few health fairs • Summer
Rhonell Griffin (OH): Info table at her church • Summer
Montessa Lee (MD): Table at her church’s health fair • June 11
Christine Dwyer (MA): Info table at New Britain Rock Cats baseball game • May 12
Pat Dunn (MA): Health fair at Leominster High School • April 12
Julie Miller (GA): Spoke at a Survivor Dinner • April 9
Irene Gargiulo (FL): Exhibit at relay for life • April
Deb Violette (ME): Lobby day • February 17; Exhibit at Cancer Survivor Day Fair • September; Exhibit at Depsey Challenge • October
Jen Melton (VA): Health expo exhibit • February 5

 

Special Fundraising Events and Activities

Vanessa Ramirez: First Annual Frank Ramirez "Breathe to Believe" Walk • Phoenix, AZ • January 22, 2012
More than 60 walkers participated in this tribute to Frank Ramirez, a lung cancer patient who passed away in December, 2011. Donning their "Frank Ramirez tribute shirts," participants walked 2.5 miles and raised funds for lung cancer research, education and awareness.

Katie Johnson: Ladies Night Out to Fight Lung Cancer • Concord, NC • November 15, 2011
This fundraiser at Martino's Italian Restaurant and Bar in Concord, NC featured vendors selling jewelry and purses, door prizes and a spa gift certificate. A portion of sales from vendors and restaurant proceeds benefited the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership.

Kaaren Winkler: Frozen Yogurt Fundraiser • Tumwater, WA • November 7, 2011
Kaaren organized this fundraiser in honor of her sister-in-law, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010. A portion of proceeds from LIMEberry Self Serve Frozen Yogurt in Tumwater benefited the Partnership.

Tammy Kelley: Girls Night at Keefer's Bar & Grill • Powells Point, NC • November 4, 2011
A portion of proceeds from this event benefited the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership. The night featured hor d'doeuvres, cocktails, raffles a silent auction and shopping.

Deb Violette: The Red Barn Benefit Supper • Augusta, ME • November 3, 2011
The Red Barn Family Restaurant hosted this fundraiser dinner of fish and chicken. A portion of proceeds benefited the Partnership.

Amy Caruso: Shop in Support of Lung Cancer Research • West Hartford, CT • November 3, 2011
Ten percent of sales from this shopping night at Chico's in West Hartford benefited the National Lung Cancer Partnership.

Teri Simon: Book on Living with Lung Cancer • November, 2011
Told via a series of blog posts that are frank, warm, and humorous, Perspectives of a Flying Elephant is a book published by survivor Teri Simon. Teri's hope is that patients struggling with illness or any other sort of “junk” will find something in this book to make their journeys a little easier, a little lighter, a little smarter and a little more peaceful. A portion of proceeds from book sales benefit the Partnership.
Purchase Perspectives of a Flying Elephant>
Read Teri's Story of Strength>

Deb Violette: Margarita's Full Moon Madness • Augusta, ME • October 12 & November 10, 2011
These fundraisers at Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Augusta contributed 5% of sales to the Partnership.

Nancy Fossee: Fossee's Shoes • Dallas, TX • November, 2011
After losing both her husband and a friend to lung cancer, Nancy Fossee decided to join the movement to defeat this disease. A percentage of all sales in November at her shoe store in Dallas, TX will benefit the Partnership.

Leigh French: Hockey for Hope • Dayton, OH • October 12, 2011
Leigh organized this girls' field hockey game fundraiser in honor of her friend, survivor Sara Whitlock. The high school field hockey team was instrumental in gathering raffle prizes and organizing the fundraiser. Partnership materials were available at the event, and Sara spoke to the audience. All proceeds from the raffle and a portion of proceeds from admission tickets benefited the Partnership.

David Parkes: Transcontinental Bike Ride • September through October, 2011
To celebrate his 60th birthday and five years of celebrating clear CT scans following the removal of the cancerous middle lobe of his right lung, David that will embark on a solo transcontinental bike ride. The ride will begin in St. Augustine, Florida, traverse the diverse landscapes of the southern and southwestern United States, and end 3100 miles and six to seven weeks later in San Diego, California.
Visit David's FirstGiving page> and See David's online photobook chronicling his ride>

Bev Walgrave: Handmade Lung Cancer Awareness Greeting Cards
A five-year lung cancer survivor, Bev Walgrave is a talented craftsperson. In 2011 she donated handmade greeting cards to the Partnership, which are now available in our online shop.
See Bev's cards>

John Felix: Band Jam for a Cure • Irvington, NY • May 13, 2011
John organized this multi-band concert in memory of John's mentor and guitar teacher, Conor Lyons. With the help of family and friends, he raised more than $7,000!
Read more>

Peel Hawthorne: Field Hockey Tournament • College of William & Mary • April 30, 2011
This tournament was established in memory of Peel's former field hockey teammate, Claire Lowrie, and raised more than $3,000!
Read more>  or View the event's fundraising page>

Gavin McKinney: First Annual Soccer Tournament at Cumberland University •  Lebanon, TN • March 17, 2011
The tournament was held in memory of Amiee Leigh Jackson White. Students and facultly joined together for this 4v4 soccer tournament, which drew 18 teams and raised more than $1,500!
Read more> or See event photos>

Anthony Iovino: CrossFit A.C.T. Lift 4 Lungs • Saddle Brook, NJ • March 5, 2011
Anthony organized this event in memory of his uncle, Jeff Trojca, This first-of-its-kind event raised about $2,800.
Watch a video about the event>

Haley Convertino: Main Street Mile and Track Clinic • Wilbraham, MA • January 23, 2011
Haley held this clinic in memory of her aunt, Theresa Convertino. The event raised $1,023.00 for the Partnership's research, awareness and education programs.
Read more> or Watch a video and see photos from the event>
 

Awareness Month Proclamations

These advocates have taken lung cancer awareness to their state and local governments by getting proclamations declaring November Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Ingrid Anderson - State of Tennessee
Christy Bell - City of Lompoc, CA
Donna Duke Boggs - State of Georgia
Brian Brubaker - State of Delaware • City of Lewis, DE • State of Maryland
Thomas Cappiello - State of Florida • City of Punta Gorda, FL • City of North Port, FL • Charlotte County Commission, FL
Glorianne Garvin - State of Connecticut
Tammy Kelley - Dare County, NC
Karen Latzka - State of Hawaii • City of Honolulu, HI
Annette Leger - San Miguel County, NM
Heather Gill Hooper & NC Lung Cancer Partnership - State of North Carolina
Lisa Pinson - State of Alabama • Elmore County, AL
Crystal Therrain - City of Holly Hill, FL
Deb Violette - State of Maine
Kaaren Winkler - State of Washington
 

2011 Free to Breathe® Local Event Chairs

The following advocates and organizations have been diligently working to raise lung cancer awareness in their communities and support the National Lung Cancer Partnership's research, awareness and education programs by bringing Free to Breathe® events to their communities:

Susan Keen (VA)
Stephanie Gatschet (CA)
Jean Kamla (LA)
Nancy Wood (NC)
Susan Swanson (TX)
Louann Cummings (OH)
Brian Brubaker (DE)
Amy Waggoner (GA)
Carol Stoyla (CA)
Robert Tucker (MO)
Lynne Winchell (CO)
Julie Drobny (WA)
Judith Levi (CT)
Jim Dennison (NJ)
Suzanne Dahlberg, PhD (MA)
Rhonell Griffin (OH)
Michelle Roll (OH)
Natalie and Stephanie Pasyak (WI)
Jaime Morgan (IA)
Chad Goings (IA)
Jane Schuster (NE)
Donna Perry (RI)
Sandy Oehler (NC)
Suzanne Albers (OH)
Deb Violette (ME)
Dan and Sheila Ouellette (TX)
Gina Phelps (PA)
Danielle Bell (PA)
Lisa Maggio (KY)
Katie Johnson (NC)
Thomas Cappiello (FL)
Tiffany Hudak (GA)
Julie Miller (GA)
Rabbi Elissa Sachs-Kohen (MD)
Joan Tashbar (FL)
Nick D'Amato (VA)
Gina Kinsella (KY)

A very special thanks to the staff and board members of our State Chapters in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Florida who are making it possible for advocates in their areas to be a part of the National Lung Cancer Partnership!
 

Do you know of an Advocate in Action who should be featured on this page? Email us at . If you would like to get involved by distributing information, raising funds or raising public awareness, please visit our Get Involved page or contact us.