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A palpable symbol of hope, 100 balloons filled the Peter Bent Brigham Rotunda as the Women’s Lung Cancer Forum held its second annual Beat Lung Cancer Balloon-A-Thon in June. The balloons were a powerful visual reminder of the generosity of family, friends and health care providers’ support for lung cancer patients.
“The passion that the members of the forum have for supporting other patients with lung cancer and for beating this disease is reflected in their generosity of both time and money,” said Yolonda Colson, MD, PhD, director of the Women’s Lung Cancer Program and associate surgeon in the Division of Thoracic Surgery. “This year, members drove hundreds of miles selling balloons and copies of Tall Ship Odysseys, a beautiful coffee-table book highlighting the story of Operation Sail and the Tall Ships, to more than double our donations.”
The reception raised thousands of dollars for the Women’s Lung Cancer Forum, a patient-centered group dedicated to advancing education and public awareness of lung cancer. Contributions in support of patients came in from all over the country and as well as Bermuda.
“We’re working to erase the stigma that all incidences of lung cancer are a result of smoking and change the perspective to one of hope,” Colson said.
Colson addressed attendees about the significance of the fundraising event for the expansion of the program’s ongoing projects, including the popular Pillow Initiative, which provides patients who have undergone surgery for lung cancer at BWH with a cough pillow. She also shared inspiring stories from members of the forum.
To order a copy of the Tall Ship Odysseys, or for more information on the Women’s Lung Cancer Forum, including a schedule of upcoming speakers and educational material, visit www.womenslungcancer.org.