About Uniting Against Lung Cancer
The mission of Uniting Against Lung Cancer is to fight lung cancer by funding innovative research and increasing awareness of the disease. In only six years of funding, Uniting and its partners have awarded over $6 million dollars in direct research grants to individual researchers at top cancer centers and raised awareness of lung cancer across the United States. The first nonprofit in the U.S. to identify and cultivate lung cancer research, Uniting has quickly become recognized as the "venture capital" source for lung cancer research in the U.S.
Uniting carries out is mission by:
- Awarding individual research grants
- Promoting and recognizing excellence in journalism about lung cancer to increase awareness about the disease
- Collaborating with other not-for-profit organizations seeking a cure for lung cancer
- Ending the smoking-related stigma that plagues victims of lung cancer diagnosis
Because the battle against lung cancer can only be won by working together, and the reason each person cares about lung cancer is often very personal, Uniting Against Lung Cancer was created. Through Uniting, groups can run awareness and fundraising events in their loved one's honor knowing that their donations benefit from Uniting's strong medical committee, successful research program, while expanding the types of lung cancer studied.
Uniting was originally named Joan's Legacy in memory of Joan Scarangello, who died at age 47 in 2001 after a valiant 9-month fight with lung cancer. Joan's Legacy changed its name to Uniting Against Lung Cancer in order to work with other partners, such as the Hank Thompson Trek and Treat, and allow each group joining in these efforts to raise funds and awareness in their loved one's name.
