lung cancer foundations versus susan G komen foundation

FOZ
4 Recommendations

I need help in understanding How the Susan G Komen foundation is so wide spread and well known . Here in arizona she is every where. Every store has posters and signs to support breast Cancer . There is nothing and I mean nothing any where about Lung cancer . I thought this was the month for us? Susan"s sister started this foundation in 1983 What is her secret? How did she obtain so much recognition? she did it ,so why can't we? Help me to understand

Dana

21 replies

Katg

This article is a fascinating read about how the Foundation came to have the importance that it does.

www.cancerworld.org/CancerWorldAdmin/images/static_modules/images/ 1427/CF_7_8_Vol1_301.pdf

Although Nancy Brinker (Susan's sister) had a husband who had connections with influential people in Dallas, her determination and hard work and refusal to take the answer "no" is really what brought the organization to where it is today.

It is also important to remember that when she first started talking to everyone breast cancer wasn't discussed or a common topic. Her foundation made it acceptable and even socially responsible to advocate for breast cancer patients.

I think the key is to be a part of an organization that is making a difference. It is why I believe in the Lung Cancer Alliance and why I support what they do.

1lung

I agree with you Dana, believe me I support about every good cause to some degree. I have the breast cancer Reebok shoes, I bought the ribbon to wear this month, I bought the checks for my checking account. I take in my yogurt lids to the store! I feel like I make those choices often but going to the licence branch this past week.... I was shocked I couldn't buy a specialized plate!! I refused to buy a breast cancer one!!
I am very upset that I cannot along with others support lung cancer with everyday items!! Even the cookies I bought ay the store a percentage went to their cause!! I want to see the support out there,and I want to be a big part of it. I think it adds to my deppression that I don't feel like anyone cares enough about what I have been through or what others go through with lung cancer or what we are feeling, plus you have to be able to breath in this world. I did lose a friend from school to breast cancer she was 23 with a 6 year old daughter! I don't want to take away from them but what about us!!!

ljphoto

The breast cancer movement is about 25 years old. The lung cancer movement is about 5 years old. Lung cancer has an uphill fight. Those with breast cancer are your mothers and your sisters. Those with lung cancer are perceived as smokers that did this to themselves. Many groceries raise money for specific cancers during a month. When approached about lung cancer they said it was not in their corporate image.

We need to become united and organized. When a bill comes up in your state or a federal bill, do you email and call you legislator? Did you email or call your local media this month and ask them to cover lung cancer because it it LCAM? The only way for us to get the recognition that breast cancer gets is to get involved. Don't wait for others to do it for you. We need to be a loud voice. The only reason that Senator Feinstein has written a bill for funding lung cancer to the tune of $75 million is because people in CA got together and emailed and called her one week. We were able to shut down her email server and her phone lines.

If you haven't done so, go to the Lung Cancer Alliance web site today. Click on LCA Advocacy Action. Send a letter to your legislator and sign up for the Action E-List. Remember if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Get involved today for Lung Cancer Awareness Month. LCAM stands for Lung Cancer Awareness Month but should also stand for Lung Cancer ACTION Month.

FOZ

1lung,
Exactly my point, lung cancer does not get the recognition it deserves. I plan to change that here in Arizona. I am fighting Mad that this disease has been overlooked due to a judgement that others place on it. Hey my Dad quit smoking 33 yrs ago. Because he smoked does that mean there should not be an annual screening test done or the same funding that breast cancer receives. Does it mean people that smoked deserve to suffer this horrible fate? After seeing all that is out there for breast Cancer there is NO reason we can' t do the same.

MyMomsDaughter

I agree wholeheartingly with what you are saying. However, when my mom passed away on 10/17 we added this to her obituary:

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Carol's memory made to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte 28210. Please note on the contribution that it is to be restricted to the lung cancer research fund

Maybe the more we cry out for our loved ones that we have lost, the better chance we have to get the recognition this terrible disease deserves.

Love and hugs,
Rachael

ValS

Which do you think humans can live without -- lungs or breasts? This stigma against lung cancer funding is not only irrational but unjustifiable medically, financially and morally. It is true that discussion of breast cancer used to be taboo because survivors were rare due to poor screening technology, effective therapies and limited medical care for women.

The progress we are seeing with lung cancer survival rates today shows that it is not a hopeless disease and that it deserves funding for research and treatment. The huge hurdle to overcome in enlisting corporate and political support seems to be their fear of being cast as apologizers for smoking which is now very unfashionable and illegal in certain settings.

Angie-in-SC

I am a member of American Cancer Society's Cancer Advocacy Network and receive monthly email newsletters. I was so upset this month when I received the November issue and no mention was made of lung cancer awareness. I replied to express my disappointment, and this is the reply that I received this morning:

Dear Ms. Derrick,
Thank you for contacting the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

ACS CAN, the nonprofit advocacy partner to the American Cancer Society, is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major public health problem through voter education and issue campaigns aimed at influencing candidates and lawmakers to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer. To do this, we monitor and engage in legislation both individually and through coalitions.

While the issue and legislation you mentioned in your email is not currently promoted on our web site, it does not mean we are not interested in it or working on it in some manner. As a nonprofit organization, our capacity is limited and thus we attempt to focus on those issues that could have the greatest impact on accomplishing our mission (as noted above).

While I realize this is not exactly the answer you want, I hope you can understand that we are interested in helping all cancer patients and doing all we can to eradicate this terrible disease - in all its forms.

Thank you again for your email and for all you are doing in the fight against cancer.

Christopher at ACS CAN
www.acscan.org/feedback

I replied again, expressing my disgust, because I could not believe that he could not even mention the words - lung cancer - in his canned response.

Please consider emailing him and expressing your concerns about lung cancer awareness.

Advocate! Advocate! Advocate!

Look at the Champion Toolbox on the Komen for the Cure website: http://ww5.komen.org/getinvolved/championstoolbox.html

Heed ljphoto's advice. Check out LCA's main site:
www.lungcanceralliance.org for ideas.

Purchase an inexpensive shirt from the LCA online store and wear it showing your support,
No more! Lung Cancer Alliance.
http://lungcanceralliance.webstore.us.com/

Check out:
www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org
and consider organizing a Free to Breathe awareness walk or gathering advocates to form a state chapter.

We need to organize and fight!

Riff

I have never smoked a day in my life and I have NSCLC stage IV. I had the breast cancer walk at my house (I live 100 feet from Rillito Park, Tucson, AZ) I was awakened at 6:45 am to a rock band. I was so mad I wanted to take back my donation. Where is all the tobacco money going? I had one woman look at me and say you smokers discust (sp) me, for what you are costing our health care system. This attitude needs to be changed! But it will take national attention like breast cancer has and remember breast cancer patients are mostly MOMS. This touches the heart strings.

ljphoto

This just came out today after my first post. It is frojm LCA's president, Laurie Fenton:

Dear Friends,
To quote Helen Keller, “The world is moved along, not only by
the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny
pushes of each honest worker”. I share this quote because it is illustrative
of lung cancer advocacy today. Our “movement” is a growing
number of passionate, energized, informed, committed and effective
individuals banding together across the country to reverse the
stigma and neglect too long attached to lung cancer.
Since the successes of the breast cancer and HIV/AIDS movement
are often cited by our stakeholders I thought I would share a
brief history which I hope will help put the progress lung cancer’s
movement has made in a short period of time into context.
The breast cancer movement began to take shape in two
15 year stages; the first starting in 1974 and the second in the beginning of the 1990’s.
Breast cancer became “public” in 1974 with First Lady Betty Ford’s announcement about her diagnosis
and treatment. That opened the floodgates. For the first time, women with breast cancer began
openly talking about their own experiences, speaking out as survivors rather than staying hidden as
victims.Women began having mammograms, realizing that breast cancer may, in fact, be treatable rather
than being a death sentence. They became active participants in their screening and treatment decisions.
Public awareness grew and the breast cancer movement continued to gradually coalesce during
the 1980’s. But, the dominant public health issue of that decade became HIV/AIDS, which engendered a
new form of political activism, including “in your face” militancy staged to capture public attention and
other aggressive tactics new to the more sedate world of health policy.
Breast cancer activists took notice and in the 1990s the second wave of the breast cancer
movement turned decidedly more political. Over the ensuing 15 years support organizations and tens
of thousands of activists from all over the country banded together and were eventually able to put
enough pressure on Congress to increase government sponsored breast cancer research from
$90 million a year to $800 million a year and to make mammograms available to all women, even
free of charge for those who could not afford them.
Now let’s relate this to lung cancer advocacy. It took 30 years for the breast cancer movement
to come together and realize its successes to date. Yet in only three years, with less than 1% of breast
cancer’s advocacy army, public awareness about lung cancer is growing and legislation relating to lung
cancer is moving in five state legislatures and the Congress. Cal Ripken, Jr., Troy Aikman and Joe Buck
joined our national “Face in the Fight” campaign. Dana Reeve’s sister has joined our board.
Lung cancer is starting to get more accurate media attention. The stigma of smoking, still ever
present, is gradually being lifted. The public is becoming aware of the massive under funding of the
disease, now hitting more non-smokers and former smokers than current smokers, and the research
has evolved to now offer early detection for those at elevated risk for lung cancer.
Our “army” may be much smaller than the breast cancer movement, but our goal is not.We are
combining national awareness, political advocacy and grassroots networking in tandem to propel lung
cancer’s movement forward at warp speed.We cannot do it without the incredible willing hearts, minds
and hands of our extraordinary advocates across the country. Together we will make lung cancer a
national public health priority and end its reign as the biggest cancer killer.We are turning the tide.

DorisElaine

Yes, at our Lung Cancer support group, the social worker who leads the group, stated that several years ago when the breast group was formed, they had only a handful of participants. Now the have to meet several days a week to accomadate all who come. She believes our group will grow as more and more people become aware of lung cancer. Also I had the same experience with the Americian Cancer people. They said all money donated would not go for lung cancer. They actually asked us to go with them to the capitol to rally for cancer funds. When I asked how much would go for lung cancer research, they said none this year, maybe some next year! So please all, send your donations to Lung Cancer Alliance. I will..

bing

The web site that talkes about the Tshirt does not show what is on them, are there saying on them or do you get them done yourself?

amymaura

Hi bing,

Just to clarify, the tee shirts Angie's link takes you to all have the LCA logo on it, which you can see above all of the tee shirt selections.

Hope that makes it clear!

Amy

Angie-in-SC

Thanks for all of your replies, and Doris thank you for the inspiring story about your lung cancer support group. I would love to start one here in Columbia, SC.

DorisElaine

Angie, Thanks,You should start a group ,the emotional and informational support is great! We share our concerns, hopes, and mostly just joys with each other. Because we do it at the hospital, we have a social worker with us. (hospital rules) They provide the space, we supply the sharing. As you are aware, we have so many questions, and while no one recommends a certain treatment, we share what we have tried, and information. The local cancer society, and also the drug companies supply much free information. If you need any information on how to get started, e mail me and I will give you our leaders number. Today we are having a seminar on Living with lung cancer... I will post what we did at this meeting.. Doris dtaylor834@sbcglobal.net

1lung

alot of great ideas. I am planning on emailing my local paper, they did follow my story as I went through my journey. I to think people look down more on lung cancer due to the smoking. I to smoked many years but I lost my lung to asbestos. that is another whole subject I deal with. I always hear you have to work in it many years to get and look at me I got it at age 30 and never was around it to my knowledge and it is said it takes a minimum of 20-30 years to take effect.another reason I need to get the work out. I will let everyone know if I have a story in the paper this month to share.thanks I will buy a shirt for sure!!!

Cody

We are so proud of you and want to help in whatever way you tell us. Mom and Dad

cosmogal_7

I asked that same question myself. Where is all of the lung cancer awareness stuff in the stores? Lung cancer IS the leading cause of death in women, not breast cancer, yet that is never mentioned. Yes, the majority of lung cancer diagnosis is related to smoking, but also so are some types of breast and prostate cancers as well are related to smoking. No one asks a person with breast cancer if they were a smoker. It should not matter how they got it cause they are still people with families that love them. But if you were to ask me personally if I am angry that my mom smoked I would have to say yes I am angry. I am angry, not at her but the fact that such a product exist and has many people addicted. When I read the statistics on lung cancer I cried. My issue is this though. Why is it that so many smokers do not want to hear the dangers of lung cancer? They claim is that nonsmokers get it too. Yes but not at the rate as smokers do. Its obviously a fact. Then I get, well you have to die of something. Or I get cancer doesn't run in my family. Well my mom is the first in her family history to get cancer. Those excuses are unfounded and just reckless. I have said before, to get the word out, the people who we want to hear it, won't listen and the ones who listen don't smoke so don't care. It is a sad sad truth. Its not fair! We don't do this about heart disease if the person is overweight. Being overweight can actually cause certain cancers as well. I have struggled to keep my weight down and actually lost over 100 pounds myself. How I got treated before I lost the weight is so different in how I get treated now. Anyway, I will do whatever it takes to get the word out. Too many people are fighting for their lives right now that don't deserve to have this. Let me know what I can do. I want to see the products in the store too! Lets get the ball rolling!

Cody

I did what you ask about contacting LCA and sent a message to my senators. Unlike Lung Cancer, it was painless. I hope everyone on here will follow through and not only send her/his own message, but tell other friends about the site. Humm, I wonder how many letters that will be?

ljphoto

A month of so, two of us here in CA started writing and emailing senator Boxer to get her to sing onto s.3187, the federal lung cancer bill. She did. Think what 100 or 1000 or even 10,000 letters could do!

Add to the discussion

New user? Join here.
Forgot password?
Keep me signed in on this computer until I sign out

Search

Find information and discussion about health topics in 347,381 posts by members like yourself. Learn more...

Join

Join safe, secure groups sponsored by trusted organizations that care about your health. Learn more...

Connect

Connect with 87,506 members and make friends who share your interests, learn about conditions and treatments, find support and more. Learn more...

You