Masks & Butterflies Gala 2024

What we do

• Education: We live in a world where “fake news” reigns, but lung cancer has lived in that world for many years. Attached stigma, misinformation, and myths are killing people, not just a few but thousands every year….. In Canada alone someone will die from lung cancer every 25 minutes. Lung cancer is increasing in the never smoking population with 20 plus percent of those diagnosed being never smokers and diagnosed mostly at late stage 4 when their fighting chance has been diminished. They and their doctor cannot believe the diagnosis…. aren’t they safe because they do not smoke? Smoking is a catalyst of lung cancer just like Radon, asbestos, silicon, diesel to name a few. It did not create lung cancer. It has been around since 1,500 BC. People need to know what the reality of lung cancer is so they do not have to go through the suffering that others have gone through. We need to alleviate the actions that do lead to lung cancer. 85% is preventable, but if you do not know what you are dealing with or even understanding the plight of those currently and will be diagnosed how can you have empathy and want to help. As a prime example lung cancer is the #1 cancer that kills women; twice as many as breast with over 10,000 every year! And the burden for women is heavy, as they are also the primary caregivers for men diagnosed with lung cancer.

• Advocating: Lung cancer has too few advocates. The aforementioned information is one of the reasons; it is difficult enough to be fighting for every breath you take and normalcy in your life but add to it, the stigma associated, how does a person find the fortitude to champion their cause! Also, wilh the sad statistics we live with, a 19% 5 plus year survival rate (but know that number is starting to change, and survival is better than it was even 5 years ago). So URLC is here to advocate on behalf of those people. We also have the fortitude and breath to do it. Helping people see the real picture of what lung cancer is and does, is gratifying! Lung cancer is such a complex cancer with well over 50 mutations associated with it.

• Many of the immunotherapies treating other cancers have lung cancer to thank for the pioneering of this new and exciting treatment protocol.

Working with the researchers and projects to help them raise funds to make lung cancer a nuisance not a deallth sentence in the future for those diagnosed.

• Supporting other Advocates both locally and nationally: Slowly, inch by inch there are more patients and caregivers willing to step out to speak about lung cancer, raise awareness and funds. We want to be there to support them with some seed money, information, and resources. Working to create a seamless national presence across Canada falls into this.

• Fundraising: URLC has been working for several years to raise funds for the University of Calgary’s lung cancer research initiatives and are looking forward to continuing along this path. It is even more exciting this year as “The Calgary Cancer Centre (CCC) will be an internationally recognized, state-of-the-art facility that will provide cancer treatment services and serve as a hub for cutting edge cancer research.”