Meet Kim.

My name is Kim and I am a mother to two loving girls, a former psychiatric nurse and now, a lung cancer fighter. In February 2017 I was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer at just 49-years-old. Prior to my diagnosis I had been living with a persistent cough for about a year and a half. Eventually I began to worry that I was developing pneumonia, so I reached out to my family doctor for a chest x-ray. This is where my lung cancer was discovered.

I am so thankful for the fantastic doctors I have been given here in Ottawa. After discovering my lung cancer, I was given a biopsy which revealed an EGFR biomarker mutation which meant my lung cancer journey would be a bit different than others. Because of some fantastic patient and caregiver groups across North America, I have gained incredible knowledge about my own lung cancer diagnosis which has allowed me to be my own advocate.

To put it bluntly, I would not be standing here today without innovative therapies or lung cancer research. Since my diagnosis, there have been great advances made in lung cancer research and survivorship. Lung cancer patients are living longer and are getting stronger because of innovative therapies. It is my hope that my story can help inspire others to advocate for innovative therapies – because this pivotal research saves lives. I know, because it has saved mine. Together, we can change statistics.