​As I mark 18 months on this journey, this year’s ALK Positive Awareness Month feels incredibly profound. Looking back at where I was during last year's APAM, the growth has been immense. This past year has been a crash course in resilience and education; I’ve learned firsthand how vital it is to deeply understand this disease, track my symptoms, and actively participate in my care. I’ve discovered not just what to advocate for, but how to effectively find my voice and advocate for myself in the complex world of lung cancer.

But patient advocacy is only one side of the coin—true progress requires science. That is why your support and funding for research are so critical. The breakthroughs being made right now are quite literally our lifelines, and by donating, you are directly investing in the next discovery, the next treatment, and more precious time for myself and everyone living with ALK-positive lung cancer. Thank you for standing with me.