I am a farm girl from small town Iowa. I have been married for almost 40 years, have two beautiful daughters, and 4 wonderful grandchildren with another one on the way. I enjoy gardening, reading, crafting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. 

I was diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer in early 2020. After needing catheters in my lungs to drain fluid and continuing targeted chemo medicine, my cancer is stable. From the time I was diagnosed I wanted to put the CAN in cancer. I travel with my husband, play with my grandkids, and am very involved in my church. 

I am fortunate to be on a targeted drug that has stabilized my lung cancer. This is possible by donors who give to help promote the research for ALK+ lung cancer. All of the money donated to ALK+ goes 100% to research.

I am only able to benefit from my targeted drug because the investment was once made in the research that discovered it. I want that same experience for everyone facing a lung cancer diagnosis. I also hope for a continued investment in the treatments I might need if this drug stops working.

We are planning our 3rd annual Glow Golf FUNdraiser for lung cancer research. We want to raise money specifically for ALK+ cancer research.

ALK+ lung cancer is rare and occurs is 5% of all lung cancer patients. ALK+ lung cancer is caused by a rearrangement of the ALK gene, but it is not yet known why this rearrangement happens. ALK+ lung cancer is strongly associated with a history of light or never smoking. 

Lung Cancer is the most common cancer worldwide as well as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Even though lung cancer is the most common cancer, it receives the least amount of funding and support because people associate it with smoking. 

In the last decade, the median survival of 6.8 years is continuing to increase as research discovers improved treatments and better medicines! Please consider donating to help this continue!