Fundraising - The Happy Lungs Project

Why Donate to Lung Cancer Research?

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 21:21:28 +0000

Every dollar we raise contributes to groundbreaking research, better diagnostic tools, and innovative treatments that can save lives and provide hope to patients and families affected by RET-positive lung cancer.

A Challenge: The Fight Against Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, accounting for nearly 25% of all cancer deaths, yet it remains significantly underfunded compared to other cancers. In the United States, 1 in 16 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer, including 37,500 patients each year with RET-positive lung cancer worldwide. Despite the urgent need, research into RET mutations – a critical area for developing targeted treatments – receives minimal funding.

Fundraising plays a crucial role in bridging this gap. Every dollar raised contributes to groundbreaking and impactful research, better diagnostic tools, and innovative treatments that can save lives. More importantly, it provides hope to patients and families affected by this disease, fueling the possibility of a brighter future where lung cancer is more treatable and potentially curable.

By supporting research, we’re not just funding science. We are investing in life-changing possibilities and giving people living with lung cancer a fighting chance with their lung cancer diagnosis.

The Critical Need for Lung Cancer Research

These are the facts:

Lung cancer remains by far the number one cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2020, more people died from lung cancer than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer combined, according to the American Cancer Society. Despite this fact, lung cancer receives only about 9% of federal cancer research funding. This disparity limits the progress that could be made in understanding and treating this complex disease.

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Bridging the Gap with Research

Research is essential to close these funding gaps. Investments in lung cancer research have already led to significant advancements, such as new treatments and targeted therapies that attack specific genetic mutations, including RET gene alterations. These breakthroughs are transforming lung cancer from a once-terminal diagnosis into a condition that, in many cases, can be managed more effectively.

The Power of Early Detection

Early detection saves lives. Research has been instrumental in developing advanced screening technologies like low-dose CT scans, which can identify lung cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable. However, more funding is needed to refine these tools and make them widely accessible to those at risk.

Improving Quality of Life for Patients

A lung cancer diagnosis brings not only physical challenges but also significant emotional and practical burdens for patients and their families. Cancer research funding is critical for developing innovative treatments that improve outcomes while minimizing side effects.

Research can pave the way for a future where lung cancer is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and no longer carries such a devastating toll on patients and their families. Every dollar invested in lung cancer research brings us closer to this vision.

How Your Donations Make an Impact

We collaborate with those studying the biology of RET-driven malignancies of all types, regardless of institutional affiliation, so that our efforts can benefit patients affected not just by NSCLC but also those with other RET-driven cancers. We also facilitate development of treatment options for patients who exhibit resistance to existing RET medications. Based on the council of our Scientific Advisory Board, we evaluate late-stage clinical trials that show promise and need funding to complete critical work, as well as novel, early-stage research.

DONATE to lung cancer research

Meet Our Researchers

RET cancer researchers are dedicated to advancing the field of lung cancer research and improving patient outcomes. They are passionate about their work and are committed to finding new and innovative ways to detect, diagnose, and treat lung cancer. The researchers we fund include experts in various fields, including oncology, genetics, and immunology. They work tirelessly to identify new targets for therapy, develop more effective new treatments, and improve patient care. By donating to support RET cancer research, you can drive progress in lung cancer research and bring hope to those affected by this devastating disease. Meet our Scientific Advisory Board.

Testimonials: Real Stories of Hope and Gratitude

The Happy Lungs Project is more than just an organization; it’s a source of hope, guidance, and unwavering support for individuals and families impacted by RET-positive cancer. But, don’t just take our word for it. Hear from some whose lives have been transformed through our mission:

“I have witnessed firsthand how the Happy Lung Project has transformed the journey of my beloved niece who has lung cancer. I am so grateful for their collaborative approach in bringing together top experts, advocating for and funding critical research, and connecting her with compassionate doctors who truly understand her needs. They have helped her to understand the science and the next steps in this unimaginably difficult time, proving to her that she is never alone in this battle against lung cancer. I am deeply grateful for their support for this young woman as well as their unrelenting focus on research—the only path that will lead to dependable, life-saving treatment.”
— Faanya Rose

“The Happy Lungs Project has transformed my journey with lung cancer. I am so grateful for their collaborative approach in bringing together top experts, advocating for and funding critical research, and connecting me with compassionate doctors who truly understand my needs. They helped me to understand the science and the best next steps during the unimaginable, proving that I am never alone in this fight. I am grateful for their support and their unrelenting focus on research, as that is the only thing that will lead to dependable, life-saving treatments.”
— Anonymous Patient

“The HLP is a lifeline for our RET-positive community. Beyond groundbreaking research and specialized physician access, they bring something essential: hope. And hope is the foundation needed to face and fight this disease.”
— Dolores Parker

“Watching my husband live with stage 4 lung cancer feels like living in everlasting darkness. The world narrows and my focus becomes singular—constantly wondering if each moment will be the last of its kind. It’s crushing, and yet, we have to keep going on in our everyday lives. But then there’s Happy Lungs. It’s more than an organization; it’s hope and a sense of direction. Happy Lungs is that glimmer of light piercing through the darkness, a family I never knew I needed. They understand, they support, and they give us the strength to face each day with something more than fear.”
— Wife, Caregiver, Mom of Two

These powerful stories remind us why our work is so critical and inspire us to continue our mission of supporting patients and driving the research needed for life-saving treatments. Read our Stories of Hope from RET lung cancer survivors.

Get Involved: Community Fundraising

Peer-to-peer fundraising offers an innovative way to make a difference and empowers individuals to create their own campaigns and rally support within their personal networks. By starting a community fundraiser, you multiply your impact, as every friend, family member, or colleague who donates contributes to advancing critical lung cancer research. Sharing inspiring stories of patients, survivors, or researchers can ignite a sense of community and motivate others to join the cause.

Ready to start your fundraiser? Visit our Community Fundraising page and follow these simple steps:

Create an account and set up your fundraising page.
Personalize your campaign with a compelling story and photos.
Share your page with your network via email, social media, or text.

As a community fundraiser, you can advance research to save the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients and drive the discovery of new, life-saving treatment options.

DONATE to lung cancer research

Why Your Support Matters Now

Funding lung cancer research today is critical to saving lives tomorrow. Every moment counts, as new discoveries can lead to earlier diagnoses, better treatments, and improved survival rates.

Your financial contribution will advance research and make a meaningful difference for RET-positive lung cancer patients and their families. Every dollar brings us closer to breakthrough research & a future where RET lung cancer is less devastating and more manageable.

Here are some ways to give:

Make a donation to The Happy Lungs Project.
Create a community fundraiser for The Happy Lungs Project and ask your friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones to donate.
If you’re 70 1/2 or older, make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to The Happy Lungs Project, which reduces your taxable income.
Consider a gift to The Happy Lungs Project that leaves a legacy, such as including a gift in your will, leaving a percentage of your retirement plan assets, or donating via your life insurance policy.

To learn more about making a donation to lung cancer research, contact The Happy Lungs Project at info@happylungsproject.org.

Thank you for your support. Together, we can drive innovation, inspire hope, and change the future of lung cancer.

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Press Release: Happy Lungs Shopping Card Raised Thousands for Lung Cancer Research

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 18:33:44 +0000

HAPPY LUNGS SHOPPING CARD SUCCESSFUL IN AUSTIN PREMIER, RAISING THOUSANDS FOR LUNG CANCER RESEARCH, GENERATING RETAIL REVENUES AND SAVING CONSUMERS MONEY

Happy Lungs Shopping Card provided Austin residents 20% discount at participating retailers, 10% discount at participating restaurants, from Oct.28 – Nov. 6, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas – Nov. 11, 2022 – The Happy Lungs Project, a new Austin-based nonprofit that supports lung cancer research and premiered its Happy Lungs Shopping Card from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6 in Austin, today announced the Happy Lungs Shopping Card launch was a huge success.

The Happy Lungs Shopping Card

The Happy Lungs Shopping Card, which supports lung cancer research, provided Austin residents with a 20% discount at 75 participating Austin retail locations, and a 10% discount at 16 participating restaurant locations from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.

“We are excited to share that in our first year of launching the Happy Lungs Shopping Card, we sold more than 1,000 shopping cards, raised more than $50,000 for lung cancer research and helped save Austin consumers thousands of dollars at participating Austin retailers and restaurants,” said Ilana Stromberg, RET positive lung cancer patient and co-founder of the Happy Lungs Project. “We want to thank our great Austin community for all its support in making the Happy Lungs Shopping Card premiere a success — the Austin consumers who purchased the card, the 90 retailers and restaurants who participated in the program, as well as our incredible sponsors.”

Austin resident, 51-year-old Ilana Stromberg, was diagnosed with RET positive lung cancer in 2019. Following a metastasis to her liver and brain, in 2021, her family founded a non-profit, The Happy Lungs Project, to help find a cure for RET-positive, non-small cell lung cancer. The Happy Lungs Shopping Card is The Happy Lungs Project’s premiere fundraising event. 0ne hundred percent of the proceeds from the shopping card go to The Happy Lungs Project, supporting medical research on new therapies to beat RETpositive lung cancer.

“It was great to see customers back in the store to support a great cause. It’s a new card and an old tradition,” said Traci Hall, owner of Feather Nest.

About RET Positive Lung Cancer

Nearly 37,000 people are diagnosed with RET-positive lung cancer annually, which is prevalent in younger women from 30 to 60, most of whom have never smoked and live an active, healthy lifestyle.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. impacting 1 in 17 people. Lung cancer occurs less often than breast cancer, but it is almost three times more lethal. Despite being the leading cause of cancer deaths, there is a fundamental lack of funding for lung cancer research.

The Happy Lungs Project Mission

“The mission of The Happy Lungs Project is to support researchers and clinicians in their work toward finding a cure for RET-positive non-small cell lung cancer, while providing helpful information to empower patients in their own healing,” said Stromberg. “Additionally, we will collaborate with researchers and clinicians to determine the applicability of our efforts to other genetic mutations or cancers caused by the RET mutation (e.g. thyroid cancer), while alerting patients and their families to new clinical trials which are aimed at creating the next generation of life-saving treatments.”

The Happy Lungs Project 2023

The Happy Lungs Shopping Card will be available again next fall for Austin shoppers to purchase and enjoy. The 10-day discount shopping period will take place from Oct. 27 through Nov. 5, 2023. The Happy Lungs Project plans to continue growing the program every year as it brings on additional retailers and restaurants.

For More Information

The Happy Lungs Project is an Austin-based nonprofit that was founded in 2021. For information about The Happy Lungs Project, click here. For information about the Happy Lungs Shopping Card, click here. For questions, email us at info@happylungsproject.org. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thehappylungsproject.

Read the full Press release here.

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Press Release: HLP Launches Happy Lungs Shopping Card

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:28:03 +0000

THE HAPPY LUNGS PROJECT, NEW AUSTIN NONPROFIT, LAUNCHES HAPPY LUNGS SHOPPING CARD; PROVIDES RETAIL DISCOUNT TO CONSUMERS AND SUPPORTS LUNG CANCER RESEARCH

AUSTIN, Texas – Sept. 28, 2022 – Austin consumers will soon be able to receive discounts at dozens of retailers and restaurants throughout the greater-Austin metropolitan area. The Happy Lungs Project, a new Austin-based nonprofit that supports lung cancer research, today launched its Happy Lungs Shopping Card, which provides Austin residents a 20% discount at 73 participating retail locations, and a 10% discount at 17 participating restaurant locations from Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.

The Happy Lungs Shopping Card

The $50 shopping card can be purchased by clicking here. Buyers are emailed their digital card, which they show local retailers and restaurants to receive their discounts. For a full list of participating retailers and restaurants, click here. The Happy Lungs Shopping Card is only available in Austin, which is the first market The Happy Lungs Project is launching the card.

Austin resident, 51-year-old Ilana Stromberg, was diagnosed with RET Positive lung cancer in 2019. Following a metastasis to her liver and brain, in 2021, her family founded a non-profit, The Happy Lungs Project, to help find a cure for RET-positive, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. The Happy Lungs Shopping Card is The Happy Lungs Project’s premiere fundraising event. 0ne hundred percent of the proceeds from the shopping card go to The Happy Lungs Project, supporting medical research on new therapies to beat RET positive lung cancer.

“This is a win-win-win situation for Austin consumers who will save money, Austin retailers who will benefit from sales, and lung cancer research which will receive the money we raise,” said Ilana Stromberg, RET positive lung cancer patient and co-founder of The Happy Lungs Project. “The Happy Lungs Project was founded to help find a cure for lung cancer so that patients currently living with cancer can live without it.”

Read the full Press release here.

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Stroll Magazine Features Happy Lungs Project & Happy Lungs Shopping Card

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 18:14:54 +0000

Thanks to Stroll Magazine – Highland Park West for the featured article about The Happy Lungs Project & Happy Lungs Shopping Card.

From the article:

Austin area businesses step up to fight lung cancer

The Happy Lungs Project is an Austin-based nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for RET-positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. RET-positive lung cancer typically strikes women ages 30-60 who are nonsmokers and live an active, healthy lifestyle. Many of these women are still raising families.

Ilana Stromberg’s Story

Cancer is indiscriminate; it can strike anyone at any time. It is insidious and destructive. The diagnosis of lung cancer is particularly horrifying for a “healthy” nonsmoker, and a return to health may seem unattainable. However, many things look impossible until they are conquered. Today, we are on a journey to beat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

In the fall of 2019, Ilana was diagnosed with stage 2 Non- Small Cell Lung Cancer. With no prior risk or known genetic or environmental factors, her cancer just appeared. She was active, “healthy,” and happy. Being sick seemed completely impossible. She said to herself, “How can I be sick while I feel so healthy?” Unfortunately, patients like Ilana are surprisingly common. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States (1 in 16 people) and the leading cause of cancer deaths. Due to a lack of funding and research, lung cancer occurs half as often as breast cancer but is twice as lethal.

That’s why The Happy Lungs Project was started. With your help, they can raise the money necessary
to fund critical research into drug resistance mechanisms and other dependable therapies, spread information about early tumor sequencing and help hundreds of thousands of people like Ilana live with lung cancer so that one day, they can live without it.

How to help

Retailers and restaurants in the Austin area are signing up for The Happy Lungs Shopping Card program to support medical research on new therapies to beat RET-positive lung cancer. Researchers at four major U.S. cancer centers have joined the efforts to expand their patient registry and find successful treatments to alter fatal outcomes.

The Shopping Card program had two scheduled launch events to introduce this special discount card to the public. They had an event on April 30 at Lilly Pulitzer that kicked off card sales. Another event will take place on Oct. 27th at Diamonds Direct and will launch the shopping card promotional period that runs Oct. 28-Nov. 6. Hearth & Soul also selected The Happy Lungs Project as their May nonprofit partner and hosted an event on May 5th.

Shoppers’ use of the Cards will spur early holiday shopping with 20% discounts, and proceeds will benefit The Happy Lungs Project, a nonprofit foundation.

Here is the program’s outline:

• Shoppers purchase a digital shopping card for $50 from The Happy Lungs Project.

• Presenting the Card will earn a 20% discount on purchases at listed stores and a 10% discount at participating restaurants.

• Retailers and restaurants sign up at no charge.

• Participating merchants will be listed in promotional materials and receive free marketing assets for their locations.

• Sponsoring merchants and shopping centers, with a minimum $250 donation, will be highlighted in promotional materials.

Early positive responses from retailers around Austin include The Domain, South Congress, Westlake, downtown, Lamar, Anderson, Burnet, Far West Blvd., Barton Creek Square, and the Hill Country Galleria. Over fifty retailers have already signed up, with more signing on daily.

Shoppers may purchase their Happy Lungs Shopping Card online at https://shoppingcardaustin.org/.

Happy Lungs Project 214-621-0383 wendy@happylungsproject.org

Full PDF article here

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Press Release: Partnering on Innovative Lung Cancer Research

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Tue, 31 May 2022 12:59:02 +0000

The Happy Lungs Project is pleased to share research that we are funding in collaboration with our sister organizations, RETpositive and Lungevity.

Original article: https://www.lungevity.org/news/media-releases/retpositive-and-lungevity-foundation-partner-on-innovative-lung-cancer-research

RET-positive lung cancer community funds research into critical areas of need

Patient group RETpositive and LUNGevity Foundation today announced the 2022 recipients of the first RETpositive/LUNGevity Translational Research Award for RET-Positive Lung Cancer. RET is a driver mutation found in approximately 1%-2% of people with non-small cell lung cancer. The goal of these awards is to transform the future for those diagnosed with RET-positive lung cancer by changing RET-positive lung cancer into a chronic or curable condition. These awards total $100,000 each for a two-year term. Funds were raised by RETpositive, a patient-driven nonprofit that aims to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of RET-positive cancer patients.

Donors Pledge $2 Million Dollars to Happy Lungs Project in Matching Grant to Fight Lung Cancer

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Mon, 30 May 2022 14:47:31 +0000

The Happy Lungs Project, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit, was awarded a $2 million matching grant for research to fight RET positive non-small cell lung cancer.

The Happy Lungs Project has been instrumental in building a research consortium of the leading cancer centers, identifying critical NSCLC research, raising funds and creating research milestones.” — Dr. Steve Artandi, M.D., Ph.D.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, May 24, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Happy Lungs Project, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit, was awarded a $2 million matching grant for research to fight RET positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RET positive lung cancer is caused by a mutation that allows cancer cells to grow out of control. This “driver mutation” occurs in 1-2% of NSCLC patients, and is more common among young, never-smokers, often the mothers of school-age children. J Clin Oncol. 2020;38(11):1209-1221. doi:10.1200/JCO.19.02551. With 2 million new lung cancers worldwide in 2020, about 1.6 million are NSCLC, and of these, 60%–70% are in advanced stage IV at the time of diagnosis. Oncol., 21 December 2021. doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.761042.

The Happy Lungs Project’s scientific advisory board — composed of leading researchers and clinicians at MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Massachusetts General Hospital and Stanford Cancer Institute — identified the most important research needed to find new treatments and a cure for RET-driven lung cancer. This research includes:

1. Develop a RET NSCLC registry to collect clinical data and patient specimens.
This project will develop a multi-center registry of patient information and tumor samples for research at major cancer centers (Stanford, Mass General, Sloak Kettering, UCLA, MD Anderson).

2. Characterize the molecular landscape of RET-fusion and resistance mechanisms from patients.
RET registry material will be used to generate structural information about RET-mutated proteins and the changes that lead to resistance to inhibitor medications.

3. Generate RET-mutation cell lines and animal models, including models resistant to RET-inhibitors.
These will be used to understand the emergence of drug resistance and to facilitate pre-clinical/animal laboratory drug testing.

4. Investigate drug repurposing for treatment of RET-driven NSCLC and RET inhibitor resistance.
Existing FDA-approved drugs can be screened for potential efficacy against RET-driven NSCLC and tested in animal models to produce new therapeutic candidates, individually or in combination. A drug repurposing approach will provide for rapid clinical applicability.

5. Apply successful pre-clinical (drug repurposing) strategies to registry-aggregated RET patients.
Once registry patients are identified in sufficient number, clinical trials of new RET therapies can be conducted.

6. Develop T-cell receptors with therapeutic potential against RET-fusions.
Immunotherapy, a treatment based on activating the immune system to combat cancer, will be investigated by engineering T-cells to recognize and attack specific RET targets.

According to Dr. Steve Artandi, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry at Stanford University, “The Happy Lungs Project has been instrumental in building a research consortium of the leading cancer centers, identifying critical NSCLC research, raising funds and creating research milestones.” Critical cancer research has already been funded by the Happy Lungs Project, and those projects are currently underway.

In addition, the Happy Lungs Project is hiring a Director of Research who will vet all research projects, analyze grant applications, and oversee funded projects. According to Dr. Daniel Stromberg, Scientific Liaison, “The research director will be key to the success of the organization, allowing the Happy Lungs Project to ensure that donor dollars go to the best projects which have the highest likelihood of finding reliable treatments and a cure.”

The Happy Lungs Project remains dedicated to changing the outcome for people affected by RET positive NSCLC through research and collaboration with leading scientists and clinicians.

For more information, or to become involved as a donor or volunteer, please contact info@happylungsproject.org.

Joel Fineberg
Happy Lungs Project
214-926-1299
email us here

Original article: https://www.einpresswire.com/article/573706712/donors-pledge-2-million-dollars-to-happy-lungs-project-in-matching-grant-to-fight-lung-cancer?n=2

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Launch of Happy Lungs Shopping Card

Irene Guijarro Munoz — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:38:26 +0000

Shop for a cause in the greater Austin, TX area

Give. Shop. Breathe

NEWS RELEASE

TO: PR Newswire

FROM: Wendy Newberg wendy@happylungsproject.org

DATE: APRIL 27, 2022

AUSTIN AREA BUSINESSES STEP UP TO FIGHT LUNG CANCER

Retailers and restaurants in the Austin area are signing up for The Happy Lungs Shopping Card program to support medical research on new therapies to beat RET positive lung cancer.

This deadly form of lung cancer is prevalent in young women from 30 to 60, most of whom have never smoked and who are still in the process of raising families. Researchers at four major U.S. cancer centers have joined the efforts to expand their patient registry and find successful treatments to alter fatal outcomes.

The Shopping Card program has two scheduled launch events to introduce this special discount card to the public. An event on April 30 at Lilly Pulitzer will kick off card sales, and an event on October 27 at Diamonds Direct will launch the shopping card promotional period that runs October 28 – November 6. Hearth & Soul has selected The Happy Lungs Project as their May nonprofit partner, and will host an event on May 5.

“Lilly Pulitzer Domain is honored and excited to celebrate The Happy Lungs Project,” says Lindsay Garner, Pulitzer Store Manager. “We believe in making the world a brighter place by bringing awareness, conversation, and community around those impacted by RET positive lung cancer.” During the April 30th launch, 10% of net proceeds will be donated to the Happy Lungs Project, according to Garner.

Shoppers’ use of the Cards will spur early holiday shopping with 20% discounts, and proceeds will benefit The Happy Lungs Project, a nonprofit foundation.

Here is the program’s outline:

Shoppers purchase a digital shopping card for $50 from The Happy Lungs Project.
Presenting the Card will earn a 20% discount on purchases at listed stores, and a 10%
Discount at participating restaurants.
Retailers and restaurants sign up at no charge.
Participating merchants will be listed in promotional materials and receive free marketing assets for their locations.
Sponsoring merchants and shopping centers, with a minimum $250 donation, will be highlighted in promotional materials.

Beginning April 30, shoppers may purchase their Happy Lungs Shopping Card online at https://shoppingcardaustin.org/.

Contact:
Wendy Newberg
Happy Lungs Project
+1 214-621-0383
wendy@happylungsproject.org

View the Happy Lungs Shopping Card press release (PDF) also in Word format.

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