Marissa M., AZ

I was diagnosed with lung cancer almost 10 years ago. I can still recall every detail of that day—the weather, the smell of the office, everything. When the pulmonologist told me I had adenocarcinoma of the lung, I was incredulous. I assumed my nagging cough was my childhood asthma making a comeback and was unaware that a lifelong non-smoker could get lung cancer. Now I know anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, and that is why I am here today—to share my story and ensure lung cancer continues to be adequately funded.

I was initially staged at 3A, then bumped to 3B after further testing. The plan was 12 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, but on the first day of radiation, a new tumor was discovered, along with a large amount of lung fluid. Suddenly, I was stage 4 and no longer qualified for chemotherapy and radiation. Luckily, the oncologist I saw had the foresight to send my tissue for genomic testing. At that point, I learned my tumor had the ALK+ mutation, making me eligible for a new class of drugs known as molecular targeted therapy.

I started on a drug, which had received FDA approval just 1 1/2 years earlier. I saw results in days as my cough disappeared, along with the tremendous pain it caused. This drug, developed through lung cancer research, gave me a fighting chance against what could have been a death sentence, leaving four young children without a mother.

Because my husband is a physician and I was a nurse, we have the knowledge to navigate my care. My health insurance covers most of my costs, but about once a year, I have to fight with them over something frustrating, which is taxing. My medications are extremely expensive, and I would struggle to afford them without the co-pay card from the biotech company that manufactures them. I live with the fear that my insurance will drop me or that the co-pay card will disappear, which is disconcerting. But for now, I am okay.

Because I have been fortunate to live an active life at altitude—7,000 feet—skiing, hiking, and playing pickleball, I feel the need to advocate for others who may not be as lucky. Many people rely on Medicare and Medicaid. Lung cancer is an unfair disease to begin with, and nobody should be denied care because their Medicaid was cut—that would be a death sentence.

We also need continued funding for lung cancer research to develop new treatments, like the drug that has kept me alive and healthy for nearly 10 years, and to extend the lives of those affected by the No. 1 cancer killer: lung cancer.