On Nov. 5, board members and supporters of Lungs4Life visited the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and presented a check to director Kenneth Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., for $30,000 for lung cancer research. Since the organization formed in 2015, Lungs4Life has donated $115,000 to the cancer center.
Tim and Leah Bochnicek founded Lungs4Life in 2015 to raise funds for cancer research and raise awareness about the prevalence of lung cancer, even among non-smokers.
Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in December 2013. She was a lifelong non-smoker and had never lived with a smoker. Her prognosis was grim, until testing revealed she had the ALK mutation, which appears in about 6% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Due to this, doctors were able to prescribe Leah an oral medication that stops the cancer from growing. She did not require chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
“We are so thankful for all the research that occurred prior to my diagnosis that we wanted to do all we could to provide more outcomes like ours,” Leah said.
“It is a myth that only smokers develop lung cancer,” Dr. Cowan said. “Research can have a significant impact on all patients with lung cancer, in the areas of early diagnosis and better treatments that are more effective and less toxic.”
Rob Lewis, Ph.D., a professor in the Eppley Institute, has received support from Lungs4Life for a research project.
“The dedicated support of Lungs4Life to lung cancer research and their deep desire for cures for lung cancer is a constant reminder of the importance and immediacy of our effort,” Dr. Lewis said. “Their financial support helps get the work done, but their presence keeps our nose to the grindstone.”
Funds are raised primarily through a golf tournament held annually since 2015 at Tiburon Golf Club. The 2020 event is set for August 7 with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start at Tiburon Golf Club. For more information on sponsorships or to enter a team, contact the Bochniceks by email, by calling (402) 250-0254 or through the Lungs4Life website.
“The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is extremely grateful to Tim and Leah for their dedication to supporting lung cancer research. We would like to encourage everyone to visit their website and learn more about ways to support Lungs4Life,” Dr. Cowan said.