Whoever said, “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but names/words will never hurt you,” has never had lung cancer and heard those three words - Did you smoke or have to say those three words - I never smoked. Those three words are toxic and create a serious barrier to diagnosis, treatment and acceptance in the community. Even worse, they have created a barrier that is holding the lung cancer community back; a perpetuated stigma within the community itself. It’s there

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you.” ~Maya Angelou November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. On the heels of a very pink October, it’s a tough act to follow, even though lung cancer kills more women each year than all female cancers combined! I used to be bitter and angry about it, but the way I felt wasn’t going to change anything. I could hear my mom’s voice in my head saying, “You have no right being upset about something you haven’t tr