A Lung Cancer Survivor, Hero and Inspiration to Many
A patient with lung cancer explains how Dusty Donaldson's work for patients and survivors has inspired and touched the lives of many people.
Dusty Donaldson is definitely an inspiration to anybody who has the opportunity to meet her. Dusty was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005 and founded the Dusty Joy Foundation (LiveLung) in 2010. She has served as executive director for more than a decade, focused on helping anybody who is diagnosed with lung cancer. LiveLung is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, part of the Dusty Joy Foundation, with a mission of advancing lung cancer awareness and early detection and increasing compassion for people impacted by lung cancer.
Dusty Donaldson. Photo by Sally Gupton.
Dusty co-authored the book “The ABCs of Lung Cancer for Patients and Advocates” with Kimberly Lester. Dusty also is cochair of the Lung Cancer Action Network (LungCAN), an association of U.S.-based nonprofit groups focusing on lung cancer. In addition, Dusty is a contributing writer for Health Union’s www.lungcancer.net and a member of the National Lung Cancer Roundtable’s Survivorship, Stigma and Nihilism Task Group.
Carmen M. Wagner, Ph.D., NBC-HWC. Photo by Morgan Henderson.
For the past 10 years, Dusty has worked so hard to support patients like me. She serves a large number of patients locally and in other states and is always eager to create partnerships with other organizations to better serve all of us. She is an amazing lung cancer advocate and an inspiration to us all. As one of the members of LiveLung, I have learned to admire her commitment, her energy and her engagement with other supporting groups locally and nationally.
Dusty Donaldson. Photo by Sally Gupton.
Prior to being diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer in 2005, Dusty had been an award-winning journalist and a media and public relations professional. She uses her knowledge of communication and personal and professional experience to advocate for all of us and help us continue the fight. I am honored to be a part of her group, and I am delighted to nominate her for the Lung Cancer Heroes® award.
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