Dear Friends and Relatives of Joann,

As Christmas time approaches, the pain of losing Joann to lung cancer sharpens. Just as her life was at its fullest, with her new marriage and new daughter, she was struck down by this terrible disease.

As Joann’s sister I have asked “why her, why us?” and there are no answers. I ask how to deal with the loss, and that always takes me to her love for all of us, and especially for Jim and Larissa. She showed us how to reach out to others. I am able to remember the joy that she exhibited in her life; and I see the extensions of her love, especially in the wonderful fathering that Jim is carrying on with their daughter Larissa.

As a nurse, I look to the health care arena for the scientific outlook on why and how Joann developed lung cancer. What can be done to reduce the risk that you or I, or more importantly, that Larissa or any of our children and grandchildren might have to endure the pain and suffering that Joann did?

With such an advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung, the only medically based hope for longevity for Joann would have been for a breakthrough in cancer treatments. As we all know, Joann believed she could hold out until that happened. When she lost the battle we each found a way to express our grief and loss, and to channel our energy in positive ways. I believe that the most important happening has been the way in which so many of you have been there for Jim and Larissa when they have a need.

Many people also made financial contributions to programs that promote cancer research, education, and care for others stricken with cancer. My colleagues at Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care, in Meriden, Ct. presented me with a gift of money to be donated specifically to a lung cancer research fund in memory of Joann. I added to that fund on Joann’s birthday in June and will again now as one of Joann’s favorite seasons, Christmas, approaches.

I learned more about lung cancer as I researched where to contribute this money. I’d like to share with you some of my findings:

·        Only 15% of lung cancers are discovered early enough for curative treatment.

·        Symptoms may be absent or vague until the disease has progressed significantly.

·        Nonsmokers and former smokers comprise more than half of those diagnosed.

·        In the United States the number of new lung cancers diagnosed yearly is exceeded only by breast and prostate cancer. Yet lung cancer has a much higher death rate.

·        Treatment of lung cancer has not advanced very rapidly. One reason is that there has not been a great public outcry or a popular cause celebre for funding studies of lung cancer.

·        The U.S. Congress and state legislatures determine how our limited health care tax dollars will be spent. That includes what disease entities will receive the monies for research.

·        Known risk factors for lung cancer include: smoking, former smoking, and second hand exposure to smoke; occupational exposures to asbestos and diesel fuel; previous lung disease; radon exposure; family history of lung cancer, especially in the immediate family; and family history of other cancers.

It is recommended that if you have even one risk factor, you should consult your doctor to determine if early detection screening is recommended. As you may know, Joann graduated from Cornell University. Cornell Medical Center is conducting clinical studies that use a spiral CT scan to detect lung cancers in early stages. This type of CT scan is so sensitive that it is possible to find nodules that are still too small to be seen on conventional x-rays. With earlier intervention they believe they can achieve a five year survival rate of around 80%. Imagine what 5 years would have meant to Joann!

To our knowledge Joann did not have one of these known risk factors, and therefore would not have been screened for that reason. But if the cause of Joann’s illness was a genetic or familial trait, then her daughter carries that risk. Successful research in early detection can lead to better funding, recognition, hope and enthusiasm for continuing the search for better treatments.

If you have an interest in doing something more in response to this letter, please consider some of the following:

·        Tell Joann’s story to those who have the means, talent or power to see that more of the research money available goes toward lung cancer studies.

·        Learn more about this illness.

·        Help raise awareness about the need to make progress in this area by sharing your knowledge with others.

·        Participate in, or start local programs that raise awareness and funds to help the cause.

·        Share with each other the steps you do take, so that we may all be further energized to grow our efforts.

·        Continue your generous contributions to programs related to lung cancer, such as the one at Albany Medical Center.

·        Join me in making memorial contributions to the Early Lung Cancer Detection Program at Cornell Medical College.

Thank you, and I wish you peace and joy for your holiday season and throughout the new year.

Very sincerely,

If you wish to make a memorial contribution to the early detection program, please note on the check that it is in memory of Joann Ives. Also state that it is specifically for Dr. Claudia Henschke’s Early Lung Cancer Detection Program.

Send the donation to:

Weill Medical College of Cornell                         Tel. # 212-821-0500

Att: Gloria Kao, Director of Operations

Early Lung Cancer Project

525 E. 68^th St. Box 123

NY, NY 10021

The Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, and Education [ALCASE] is apparently the only non-profit organization in the world dedicated solely to helping those at risk for and living with lung cancer. For informational materials from ALCASE:

ALCASE                                                                    Tel. # 800-298-2436

P.O. Box 849                                                                  hhtp://www.alcase.org

Vancouver, Wa. 98666

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