GOOD CAUSES

COOL HAND FRANK highlights nonprofit organizations driven to make this world a better place.

Because of its widespread health impact on so many, cancer has been a particular focus this year for COOL HAND FRANK. Just last month, my long-time best friend and COOLER member Rob C. and his sister Tammy lost their mother to lung cancer. The depth of pain and suffering she and her family went through is something I would not wish for anyone.  

Though there are a number of nonprofit organizations dedicated to fighting lung cancer, Rob pointed me to the lesser known yet vital Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA). Founded in 2007, their mission is “the improvement in survivorship of lung cancer patients through the funding of transformative science.” But what struck me was their approach: “to change the public perception of lung cancer through education and personal stories about lung cancer.” In other words, storytelling. We at COOL HAND FRANK know that all stories told by a storyteller are inherently personal. Providing a deeply intimate storytelling platform for those afflicted with and affected by lung cancer makes LCFA essential to both funding research that leads to an increasing number of FDA-approved lung cancer treatments and eventually defeating lung cancer once and for all.

Sadly, stories alone won’t defeat it. Here are some of the ways you can show LCFA your support:

• Sign up for their community newsletter.

• Wear a white ribbon at events (or anywhere) to raise awareness.

• Raise money through a personal challenge fundraiser.

• And, of course, donate.

May there come a time in our lifetime when cancer of all kinds is eliminated.