Central Florida Turns Turquoise to End Lung Cancer

BY JANELLE HOM

The month of May is a symbolic one for the American Lung Association with key public health messages and activations around lung cancer awareness.

The LUNG FORCE initiative’s annual Turquoise Takeover unites men and women to raise critical awareness of lung cancer, the nation’s #1 cancer killer. Residents are encouraged to get involved by wearing turquoise, posting to social media and/or participating in one of the local activations.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stark reminder of the importance of lung health, especially for those with lung diseases. For many with lung cancer, the burden has become more acute, with the pandemic adding more challenges, such as increased risk of complications from COVID-19 and changes or delays in treatment,” said Janelle Hom, executive director of the Lung Association. “The pandemic also temporarily delayed access to lung cancer screening for many people at high risk. Among diverse communities who have been hardest hit by COVID-19, these difficulties may be even worse. For these reasons and many more, raising awareness and funds for lung health are more important than ever. We encourage our community to get involved in one of our many Turquoise Takeover activities this week.”

Several Central Florida residents have helped to illustrate the importance of early detection, advocacy, and creating a community of support.

A Pain in the Hip That Turned Out to be Lung Cancer

Three years ago, Melbourne resident and Suntree Elementary Teacher Debra Smith experienced a pain in her hip, which turned out to be stage IV lung cancer. On May 8, she will walk to raise money for life-saving lung cancer research at the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at SeaWorld.

In December 2017, Smith experienced pain in her hip. Since she was an active 55-year-old woman who had been doing Pilates for years, she thought it was a pulled hip flexor. She went to physical therapy, but the pain only got worse. She visited an orthopedic doctor, who gave her an MRI. A week later, and they found a tumor in her hip.

“It was stage IV lung cancer. It was a shock because I am not a smoker and I am in decent shape,” she said. “They put a titanium rod in my hip and prescribed a targeted therapy. There are highs and lows. It is a roller coaster ride.”

Smith had the tumor tested, and it revealed a genetic marker called EGFR, which means there was a targeted therapy pill called Tagrisso to help treat her lung cancer. She is still taking the medication for her lung cancer and is teaching and works out three days a week. Her type of lung cancer is treatable but not curable.

After she had time to catch her breath after the diagnosis, Smith and her husband, Kent, decided that they wanted to give back. Kent created “Team Deb” for the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk and they began raising funds for research.

“It is essential that ‘Team Deb’ continues to raise funds for lung cancer research as my future depends on that research,” said Smith. “My current wonder drug (Tagrisso) would never have been developed without this research. There are over 130 clinical trials for lung cancer research right now! At some point, I will more than likely need to be a part of a trial and Kent and I are determined to continue to raise funds for lung cancer research.”

Young Woman Gets

Surprise Lung Cancer Diagnosis During Pandemic

Orlando resident Stephanie Malecki is a 38-year-old healthy woman who has two young daughters, so when she was diagnosed with lung cancer last March, it was a complete shock. On May 8, she is participating in the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at SeaWorld to raise awareness about lung cancer, and to make sure that anyone else diagnosed with the disease gets the resources and support they need.

For nearly a year, Malecki had been short of breath, and was diagnosed with a cold, bronchitis and pneumonia. One morning in March 2020, she coughed up blood. This was the second time this had happened, so she went to the ER. They did a CT scan, which revealed a mass.

“Through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I fought to receive care and the barrage of tests needed to figure out what exactly I was dealing with then on May 5, surgeons removed the lower lobe of my right lung. Pathology confirmed the mass was indeed a carcinoid tumor,” said Malecki.

She had the surgery done robotically, so by June she was hiking in Yellowstone with her family. Because they caught the lung cancer early, Malecki didn’t have to do chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Now she has a scan every six months.

“I was unbelievably lucky that I had symptoms and the ER did a CT scan. As a 37-year-old female with no history of smoking, smoke exposure, or other risk factors, I simply didn't fit what people consider the ‘typical’ lung cancer profile,” she said. “The disease is so misunderstood. I soon learned that there is a huge number of young women like me who have lung cancer.”

Here are 5 ways that residents can get involved in Turquoise Takeover:

1) LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at SeaWorld: On May 8, the Lung Association will host the LUNG FORCE Run/ Walk at SeaWorld. For the event, participants will run or walk a 5K through SeaWorld, where they will see all the main features of the park. Learn more and register at LUNGFORCE.org/Orlando.

2) Lung Cancer Patient Virtual Meetup: The Lung Association is hosting a free Lung Cancer Patient Virtual Meetup for patients and caregivers on May 11. At the event, AdventHealth’s Dr. Marcelo DaSilva will speak about HER2 lung cancer. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested can register at Lung.org/patient-meetup.

3) Turquoise Takeover Reception: On Friday May 14 from 5-7 p.m., the Lung Association is hosting a casual, spatially distanced reception at the Kendra Scott located at the Mall at Millennia. The event will include cocktails, light bites, a jewelry raffle, and Color Bar raffle. 20 percent of proceeds from that evening and through the weekend go back to support LUNG FORCE. More information is available on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alafcentral.

4) Lung Chat: Next week, the Lung Association will host a Lung Chat on Facebook with Dr. Cynthia Gries, a Transplant Pulmonologist from AdventHealth, to talk about LUNG FORCE, lung cancer and women’s lung health. The event is free and open to the public. Watch for it on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alafcentral

5) AdventHealth Turns Turquoise: Every year, LUNG FORCE celebrates Turquoise Takeover by turning landmarks and buildings across our nation turquoise - LUNG FORCE’s signature color - to increase education and provide hope for those living with lung cancer. In Central Florida, we are happy to have AdventHealth’s Ginsberg Tower and Women’s Hospital turning turquoise to raise awareness for lung cancer.

Janelle Hom serves as the Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Florida – Central Area and has been with the organization since 2008. Janelle holds a Master of Arts in Political Policy and Analysis from UCF and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and World Affairs from the University of Tampa. She also holds her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the Crummer Business School of Rollins College. Email her at mailto:Janelle.Hom@lung.org. Visit www.Lung.org