Lung Cancer Initiative

Lung Cancer Initiative is the state's leading non-profit organization dedicated to lung cancer research and education. LCI specializes in connecting patients, survivors, and loved ones with the medical and research community. Our goal is to fuel medical discovery, increase survival and provide a network for hope and action for those affected. Working together with family members and lung cancer survivors who have experienced this disease first-hand, we can change the status quo for this disease to make it something people can live with rather than die from.

Lung Cancer Initiative is dedicated to raising public awareness of the disease; providing education about lung cancer to the public, patients and medical community; ensuring access to treatment and care; and generating funding for research.

Lung cancer patients have often felt alone with their diagnoses because lung cancer is still terribly stigmatized. Being involved in an organization that is working specifically to help them allows patients to regain a sense of empowerment and gives them hope for the future. Importantly, having a regional organization allows on-going networking and support for advocates and patients. Our commitment to advancing research in lung cancer also gives patients and their family members hope that the outlook for this disease can change.

Research

Since 2008, LCI has funded more than $3 million in lung cancer research. This support has jump-started the careers of researchers who have gone on to receive continued funding for their work from the National Institute of Health, Department of Defense, and the American Cancer Society. Education: LCI is committed to increasing public awareness about lung cancer. We do so through our events, education and outreach initiatives, as well as other grassroots opportunities. Our goal is to let everyone affected by lung cancer know that there is HOPE. Community Education Series: Through partnerships with North Carolina's leading cancer centers, this series allows for patients and their families to come together to hear from experts on topics related to lung cancer and research. Past topics include: Updates in Lung Cancer Research, Multidisciplinary Care, Clinical Trials, Coping with COVID-19, Financial Hurdles for Lung Cancer Patients, Caregiving and Lung Cancer 101.
Physician Education: We provide educational opportunities for health care professionals throughout North Carolina in order to improve diagnosis, referral and treatment. In 2022, LCI attended the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians' annual conference and sponsored both a keynote and breakout session on lung cancer screening.
Materials Distribution: LCI has distributed free print and online materials to patients and physician offices, which provide vital information to help patients and their families better understand their diagnosis of lung cancer and how to find help and receive the best care available on their lung cancer journey.
Access: Through our Patient Access to Care Gas Card Program, LCI provides assistance to lung cancer patients while seeking treatment including clinical trials. The goal of the program is to lessen the financial burden for patients to receive appropriate lung cancer treatment by providing gas cards. In 2023, our goal is to distribute 500 gas cards across North Carolina.
Survivorship: LCI's Survivor Steering Committee assists by providing input and guidance into the development of LCI's programming. In addition, a virtual lung cancer survivor luncheon series meets monthly and connects survivors from across the region for social interaction and education on topics including mindfulness, nutrition and exercise. In 2020 and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LCI additionally established the Patient Emergency Fund to provide financial support to help patients meet their basic needs. The program continues, and in 2022, LCI distributed $200 stipends to 105 patients.

We have clear goals developed through our strategic plan with the infrastructure and staffing to achieve these goals. Through the leadership on our Board of Directors, scientific advisory committee, strong community advocates, supportive donors and industry partners, and a network of survivors and volunteers across the state, we are able to carry out our mission in myriad ways across North Carolina.

Since 2008, LCI has funded more than $3 million toward lung cancer research. We have educated thousands of individuals across the state and continue to expand into new communities to provide important education and support. Since 2016, we have collectively awarded $115,000 to 11 community partners to support their efforts to enhance access to lung cancer education, screening and treatment in their own communities. In 2022, LCI supported access to appropriate care and treatment for 410 patients in 79 counties across NC through the gas card program. While there has been progress, there is always much to be done for the lung cancer community.

LCI continues to evolve our programs, including the addition of a survivor mentorship program in 2022. We continue to work closely with our Survivor Steering Committee and others across our network to learn how we can continue expand our services to reach more patients in communities of most need.

Our organization has a clear strategic plan and is working to ensure we are continuing to grow our reach and impact across the state.