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About LiveLung

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In a Nutshell

Founded in 2010 by lung cancer survivor, Dusty Donaldson, LiveLung brings lung cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers together for empowerment through education and community. We provide an inviting environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of the cause of their lung cancer, their prognosis, or their treatment. We also invite community partners to our meetings, including nurse navigators, collaborating organizations, and industry partners. We connect survivors with experts and resources within the community.

LiveLung is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers a growing network of lung cancer-specific educational patient groups. Research shows that those diagnosed with lung cancer experience higher levels of distress and have more unmet physical and emotional needs than those diagnosed with other types of cancer. A significant unmet need is in-person groups so patients can connect with each other. These in-person meetings encourage, empower, and provide hope to lung cancer patients and those who support them. However, many live in areas where no lung cancer-specific group is available. LiveLung offers virtual educational group meetings via Zoom to meet the needs of those without a local in-person meeting.

LiveLung primarily relies on funding from industry partners to provide support to lung cancer patients and caregivers; we do not solicit donations from our patients during our meetings. Our guiding principle is that we are here to serve lung cancer patients and their caregivers…not the other way around.

History in the Making

LiveLung Founded

After her early-stage lung cancer diagnosis in 2005, LiveLung Founder, Dusty Donaldson, was surprised at the lack of resources for lung cancer patients and survivors and was called to act. It was out of this need that LiveLung was born.

What We're About

About

LiveLung is on a mission to improve health outcomes by advancing lung cancer education, early detection, and compassion for people impacted by lung cancer. We do this by hosting a network of monthly educational community lung cancer patient groups. We provide resource bags to dozens of cancer centers where nurse navigators give them to newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, here to serve the lung cancer community. While we gratefully accept donations, we never solicit donations from lung cancer patients or caregivers.

Mission

LiveLung is on a mission to improve health outcomes by advancing lung cancer education, early detection, and compassion for people impacted by lung cancer. We are passionate about bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, and researchers to create an environment where information and understanding can be found.

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Vision

Our vision at LiveLung is to educate, empower, and provide community for those impacted by lung cancer. We strive to remove any stigma associated with a lung cancer diagnosis, leaving only compassion and empowerment. Our vision at LiveLung is improving health outcomes by building a community where those impacted by lung cancer can become educated, encouraged, and empowered to achieve the highest quality of life possible during their lung cancer treatment and survivorship journey.

Meetings

All Cancers - Virtual

Small Cell Lung Cancer - Virtual

Charlotte, NC - In-person

Triad Area, NC - In-person

Wilmington, NC - In-person

Fort Myers, FL - In-person

Tampa, FL - In-person (coming soon)

Georgia - In-person (coming soon)

Tennessee - In-person (coming soon)

Pennsylvania- Virtual (coming soon)

Community Awareness Events

Raising awareness of lung cancer risk factors, radon testing, screening, and symptoms is a key component to increasing lung cancer education in our communities. If you are hosting or know of an event at which LiveLung will be welcomed to share information about lung cancer, please reach out!

Hope Totes

To achieve our mission of advancing lung cancer education, early detection and compassion for people impacted by lung cancer, LiveLung provides Hope Totes to dozens of cancer centers where nurse navigators distribute them to newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. Hope Totes are resource bags filled with thoughtful, practical items to help patients on their treatment journey. These resource bags are one way we demonstrate compassion for the lung cancer community. Hope Totes help strengthen relationships between providers and our organization. Also, as many nurses have shared, the simple act of gifting a Hope Tote to their patients strengthens the bond between nurse and patient.

In addition to the many helpful items such as a notebook, pocket calendar, “The ABCs of Lung Cancer for Patients and Advocates,” book, and more, Hope Totes include a postcard with contact information and details about community and virtual meeting. So, our Hope Totes are also an outreach tool to connect patients with others in their community. We provide Hope Totes to communities where we host monthly educational patient group meetings. We also ship Hope Totes to individuals who join our virtual meetings.

ABC's of
Lung Cancer

The ABCs of Lung Cancer is a practical, easy-to-read guide for lung cancer patients and the people who care for and about them. Written by a longtime lung cancer survivor and her daughter, the authors provide useful information for others on a lung cancer journey. The 2nd Ed. features personal stories of patients and advocates and the lessons they learned.

Coming Soon!

Meet the LiveLung Team

Founder & Executive Director

Dusty Donaldson

Dusty Donaldson is executive director of the Dusty Joy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and parent organization of LiveLung. She works tirelessly to advance lung cancer awareness, early detection and compassion for people impacted by lung cancer. Dusty co-authored the book “The ABCs of Lung Cancer for Patients and Advocates.” She is co-chair of the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN) and serves as a reviewer for lung cancer research proposals. She is a contributing writer for www.lungcancer.net and serves on the National Lung Cancer Roundtable’s Survivorship, Stigma & Nihilism Task Group. She received the US EPA and North Carolina Radon Program Radon Advocacy Award. Prior to being diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer in 2005, Dusty was a journalist and public relations professional with undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism.

Programs Director

Lynn Abbott-McCloud

The loss of her brother-in-law to lung cancer in 2015 is what drew Lynn Abbott-McCloud to LiveLung. Since helping launch and lead LiveLung’s Charlotte program in 2017, Lynn is now the organization’s Programs Director, managing the growing network of educational lung cancer groups and the robust Hope Tote program that now sends resource-filled Hope Totes to nearly three dozen cancer centers throughout the United States.

Lynn is an avid lung cancer advocate with a focus on patient advocacy, lung cancer and radon awareness, early detection, and research funding. She has a keen interest in lung cancer research, particularly SCLC, and disparities in lung cancer and medical treatment. She serves on the NC Promising Interventions in Lung Cancer Disparities Round Table and has contributed to poster sessions at the National Lung Cancer Round Table Annual Meeting.

Marketing Director

Jessica Yoos

Marketing professional and new mom, Jessica Yoos joined LiveLung in 2023 by way of a long-time friendship with Lynn. When approached with the opportunity, Jessica was moved by LiveLung's mission and and excited to help share the message of hope and compassion for people impacted by lung cancer.

When not focused on LiveLung's message, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, gardening, and painting.

Marketing & Operations Associate

Sinéad McCloud-Clements

Sinéad McCloud-Clements has been a valuable member of the LiveLung team since 2022. She is a dedicated worker with a passion for marketing and design. Sinéad is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Graphic Design. As Sinéad continues to expand her skill set and push the boundaries of her expertise, she remains determined in her commitment to making a lasting impression in the communities with which she works.

Meeting Facilitator: Small Cell Group

Montessa Lee

Montessa Lee is a National Board Certified Teacher, Mentor Teacher, and advocate for lung cancer awareness. Montessa obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from East Carolina University, a Master of Science in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education at Regent University. She found her passion and purpose in educating students with exceptional needs, eventually specializing in working with students diagnosed with autism.

After being diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in 2006, Montessa chronicled her experiences, believing her experience would be a healing testimony for some beyond herself. Through her journey, her memoir He Whispered Life was birthed.

Through her lung cancer journey, Montessa has found that funding for research in lung cancer is inadequate given that lung cancer is the leading cancer killer. Since her diagnosis, she has pursued efforts to focus on lung cancer awareness and research.

Meeting Facilitator: BRAF Bombers

Debbie Pickworth

Debbie Pickworth was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March of 2013 at the age of 43 years old with NSCL, Adenocarcinoma with the BRAF V600e mutation. Debbie is a 3rd generation lung cancer patient. Her mother and grandmother both died of lung cancer. Her cancer is currently stable, and she has been off treatment for 18 months. Debbie is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is an Advocate and enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting, taking photographs and getting in small vacations whenever she can. Debbie is the founder and facilitator of the BRAF Bombers.

Meeting Facilitator: Wilmington, NC

Emily Evans, MAEd, RDN, CDCES

An Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in Wilmington NC. With over 30 years experience in healthcare, Emily’s mission is to advocate for and inspire a Reset for improved quality of life in those she serves. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Emily combines her training, knowledge and passion to empower cancer survivors, people living with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity to create “custom fit” programs to Reset their health.

Meeting Co-Facilitator: Small Cell Lung Cancer

Pamela Bono

Pamela Bono was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer in 2011. She was given a 3-6 month survival rate so she opted for a very rigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatment plan. In 2015 the cancer metastasized to her brain and received Nero Blade treatment. Pam has been in remission since 2016. She is the Small Cell Lung Cancer group co-facilitator.

Meeting Facilitator: Tampa, FL

Sherry Haines

Sherry Haines was diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC in 2018 a year after moving to Tampa, Florida. She had biomarker testing done which revealed the genetic mutation ALK positive. Sherry is on her 2nd targeted therapy and meets with her oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center for routine scans, and labs every 4 months. Sherry is the Tampa group facilitator.

Meeting Facilitator: Fort Myers, FL

Jaye Press

Jaye Press is the Fort Myers facilitator. She is a Stage 4 Lung Cancer survivor who celebrates her 5th Cancerversary on April 19th of this year. A resident of Cape Coral, Jaye and her husband have two grown children and two grandchildren in Fort Lauderdale.

Jaye’s lung cancer journey started in November of 2018 when she was diagnosed with pneumonia. She recovered from that in two weeks and felt great but had to do a follow up X-ray the next month to make sure her lungs were clear. After this, she had another X-ray, then a CT scan which led to a PET scan, and then a needle biopsy. Jaye had no symptoms and had never had any medical problems before her diagnosis.

Jaye is thankful to her oncologist and especially grateful to groups like LiveLung where she has met amazing people and discovered that if she shares her story and spends her time, she can possibly help someone else who is facing this awful disease.

Inventory Manager

Patricia Harris

Patricia Harris assists with preparing materials for the Hope Totes, such as collating the Hope Quotes, assembling the sparkly lung cancer awareness pins, and other preparation needs. In addition to providing Hope Tote support to our Hope Totes Manager, Hanna Trent, Pat helps Dusty host community events in the Triad area. Pat is Dusty’s neighbor and walking partner and was a caregiver to her husband, Ronnie, who recently passed away from lung cancer. At 83, Pat inspires others by demonstrating that age shouldn’t stop someone from being active and helping others.

Hope Tote Manager

Hannah Trent

Hanna Trent has been working with LiveLung since 2016 and was a long-time volunteer prior to becoming the foundation's first ever paid employee. Her position started as a general assistant to Dusty and evolved into the role of managing the Hope Tote Program. She has since put together thousands of totes, and the patients they go to hold a very special place in her heart.

Hanna’s small role in supporting the cause that Dusty has poured her life into is something she is immeasurably honored by.

Outside of LiveLung, Hanna is a Residency Program Coordinator for the Radiology Department at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and she and her husband spend any spare time with their four family dogs, their family, and their close friends who are like family.

Upcoming Meetings

Have you been impacted by lung cancer? We'd like to invite you to join one of our virtual or in-person meetings. Browse our upcoming meetings here.

Dusty Joy Foundation

Dusty Joy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity nonprofit with a mission of advancing education, early detection, optimal care, and empathy for people impacted by lung cancer and other cancers triggered by specific biomarkers. We will accomplish our mission by bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, researchers, and other stakeholders for the good of all. Dusty Joy Foundation includes BRAF Bombers, KRAS Kickers and LiveLung.

DustyJoy.org

Board Members

FYE 2021 IRS 990