Discover the Truth About Lung Cancer

As part of our new Discover the Truth About Lung Cancer education and awareness series we will be featuring a nonsmoker or former smoker's personal battle with lung cancer. This month in July we will feature 3 stories, Katherine Wilson age 23, Charmaine Atkinson, age 46 & Kate MacIntyre, age 52.

     “In April of 2000 Katherine, a 23 year old nursing student at UNC–Chapel Hill started having a dry cough and severe back and chest pain, she felt a crackling in her left lung as she breathed.  Thankfully they had just learned about lung sounds in class and she was immediately aware of what the crackling sensation might sound like through a stethoscope.  She asked the instructor to listen to her lung and the instructor suggested that Katherine go to Student Health. She was initially treated with an antibiotic for walking pneumonia.  When the follow-up chest x-ray 5 days later still showed the unusual spot in her lung unchanged, she had a chest CT scan which showed a tumor in her chest.   She was immediately scheduled to have a surgical biopsy.  Finally after waiting for a week, which seemed like a year, Katherine was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.
         Within a few days after her diagnosis Katherine began an aggressive treatment plan that included twice-a-day radiation with concurrent chemotherapy.  After finishing the four cycles of chemotherapy, she had prophylactic brain radiation for five weeks. 
        Katherine continued taking classes over the next three years while she was treated with four more courses of chemotherapy and additional radiation.  Katherine was hospitalized numerous times for treatment and cancer related complications: pericarditis, achalasia, back and shoulder pain, and vertical double vision. 
        In May of 2004, our precious daughter proudly walked across the stage to receive her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from UNC – Chapel Hill.  Katherine died on Feb. 16, 2005. About two months before she died, her friends started raising money to establish a scholarship in her memory in the UNC–School of Nursing.  The first Katherine Wilson Scholar graduated in May 2007.”    - As told by John & Ann Wilson                                          
 

Are you a nonsmoker or former smoker who got lung cancer? Share your story with us at share@beverlyfund.org

Bookmark and Share

  
The Beverly Fund</a> We need your help.

  • We want to hear your story if you are a nonsmoker or former smoker who was diagnosed with lung cancer for our Discover the Truth About Lung Cancer project.
  • Donate today! For $17.30 we can feed the patients at Jefferson Cancer Clinic their favorite treat every week - soft pretzels.
  • Interested in being an advocate? Check out our Get Involved page to see how you can help.
  • Seeking Teachers to help teach about lung cancer awareness and lung health. Free materials.

The Beverly Fund</a> Save the Dates!

 


Photos from Marina Green Volleyball Open

5K Cancer Walk in Illinois raised over $4,000 - way to go Cathy and team!

 

 

 

 

 

Join our Find a Cure Panel
The Beverly Fund recently partnered with Find a Cure Panel where your opinions will help in finding vital research that will hopefully find a cure. Find A Cure Panel will generously donate $25 to the Beverly Fund for each completed survey. Sign up today!

 

Bookmark and Share

                            **UPDATES**