I have been living with ALK-positive lung cancer for over six years now. When I was first diagnosed at age 34 as a fit and healthy never-smoker, it was already advanced (stage IIIa) and inoperable, but I was lucky to have nearly four years in remission following chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. During that time I also became pregnant and we now have a healthy three-year-old girl, May. Since the recurrence in the summer of 2022, I have been on oral targeted therapy, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

More and more young women like me get diagnosed with lung cancer. While there have been some amazing developments in treatment options particularly for oncogene-driven lung cancers like ALK+, the cancer eventually becomes resistant to the TKIs.

Time is flying by, and it is hard to face the fact that it is officially incurable. This June is ALK Positive Awareness Month in memory of patient advocate Gina Hollenbeck, and I am fundraising for more research that will lead to better therapies, improved outcomes, more time and ultimately a cure.

I used to enjoy running - even after my middle lobe resection I participated in several Parkrun 5Ks. I always wanted to get back into it, but the fatigue and other side effects from my current treatment as well as repeated chest infections kept me from starting again. To my surprise I found I was able to run an almost-5k a few weeks ago, and I am going to attempt the Run Clare Summer Solstice 10k on June 14th with my sister-in-law Caitríona (whose idea it was – thank you!).

If you want to find out more about ALK Positive’s new partnership with Break Through Cancer, a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for the deadliest cancers, there is more information at the top of this page and also at the end of this Patient Spotlight interview on the ALK Positive website.

Every donation is appreciated. Thank you for your support! #MoreResearchMoreLife #CollabForACure