Dear Friends,
It has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve as the first executive director of A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation for nearly 13 years. Together—with our loyal donors and volunteers, committ
I’m deeply grateful to each of you who have walked this journey with us—sharing your stories, supporting our work, and showing incredible courage in the face of a disease that has brought so much pain. You are my heroes.
Today, I’m writing to share a personal and exciting change. While our momentum is strong and our reach is growing, I believe now is the right time to introduce the person who will lead this organization into its next chapter. It’s the right time to welcome fresh ideas, new energy, and a bold vision for the future.
I am thrilled to introduce Teri Cannon as the new executive director of A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation, effective today. Teri joined our team in January, and it quickly became clear that she is the right leader for this moment. With more than 30 years of nonprofit leadership—including executive roles in the cancer space—Teri brings deep experience, strategic insight, and a heartfelt commitment to our mission. She leads with both intellect and empathy, and I am confident that her leadership will propel A Breath of Hope to new heights.
As for me, I’m not going far. I’ll be stepping into a part-time role as Director of Strategic Initiatives, which better fits my energy (I am 65!) and allows me to focus more deeply on two critical efforts:
- Expanding biomarker testing – Precision medicine is saving lives, yet less than half of lung cancer patients receive biomarker testing. We’re working to change that and ensure every patient receives the care they deserve.
- Growing our award-winning Animated Patient’s Guide to Lung Cancer – Since its launch in 2017, youandlungcancer.com has reached over 2 million users in 135 countries. With additional investment, we can reach even more patients with life-saving, evidence-based in
formation.
This transition is filled with hope and excitement. Thank you for believing in our mission, and for walking alongside me on this incredible journey. The best is yet to come.
With hope,
Nancy Torrison
Director of Strategic Initiatives
A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation
