My Nonprofit Reviews
Holly
Review for Lung Cancer Alliance, Washington, DC, USA
I only wish my family had found the Lung Cancer Alliance when my father was diagnosed and before he passed. We struggled to find support services and the latest information about lung cancer therapies. At a time when we needed to be entirely focused on my father and his treatment, we were doing a lot of unnecessary legwork trying to get answers, searching for help. The avenues we tried didn't have much advice and didn't offer any hope. This young organization is largely unknown amidst other national nonprofits that have been around for a long time, but who hold a broader focus. It is going to take a laser like focus to bring lung cancer into the pubic debate, secure funding, and make dramatic inroads in survival rates. The LCA is top notch, cost efficient and entirely focused on LUNG CANCER. They are leading the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering patients, elevating awareness and changing health policy. If you or a loved one are impacted by lung cancer, you need to get connected to this organization. You or your loved one will benefit - and LCA can't change health policy without YOU. Become a face in the fight.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
$2O MILLION FOR NEW LUNG CANCER RESEARCH NOW LAW President Signs Government Funding Bill -- Includes Top LCA Priority WASHINGTON, D.C. [September 30, 2008]--Tonight, the President signed into law funding for fiscal year 2009. Included in this omnibus measure is money to fund the Department of Defense and a new $20 million Lung Cancer Research Program. Lung Cancer Alliance President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose called the new program “a turning point for lung cancer.” “This is the breakthrough we have all been working so hard for – our advocates, patients and their families, our staff and our Board,” she said. Fenton-Ambrose credited the chairmen of the House and Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittees for their support and commitment to the new lung cancer research program. The legislation notes that lung cancer is the most lethal of all cancers, taking more lives each year than all other major cancers combined and that military personnel have heightened exposure to lung cancer carcinogens. “Priority should be given to the development of the integrated components to identify, treat and manage early curable lung cancer”, it states. The bill requires the Army to provide a plan for how the funds will be spent and submit that plan to Congress within 120 days.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire a few more staff people to help expedite their great work. But, that is always a challenge because you want to maintain your cost efficieny and make the best use of donor dollars. But with more volunteers and donors, perhaps they will be able to.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Feeling empowered. When my father was diagnosed, it was hard to find any hope. While it is too late for my late father, my friend's father, and countless others, I want to be a voice for change so it doesn't have to continue.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Lung cancer survivors and other loved ones of those impacted by lung cancer.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Raise awareness and reverse decades of stigma. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, should the first question people ask you be, "Did you smoke?" Would you blame someone for getting breast or prostate cancer? More than 65% of new cases are in never smokers or people who quit decades ago. Secondly, this organization could help to drive research spending on lung cancer to priority research that might yield improved therapies or a cure.
Ways to make it better...
There were more people already involved. There is much work to be done. Don't let your voice be silent.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
1. The need to mobilize a significantly sized nationwide grassroots effort. 2. The low survival rate for this disease which often means that patients are too sick to get involved. More caregivers and loved ones need to join this fight and become the steady backbone for this movement, allowing our loved ones to put their health first and participate when they can. 3. The public stigma about smoking and lung cancer. Whether you are a smoker or not, no one deserves lung cancer. 4. Securing more federal funding in a down economy.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Finally! An organization willing to talk about lung cancer and take on a tough fight. It won't be easy, but we have to start somewhere. If not now, then when?
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
