Each step we take at the A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Walk & Run is a tribute to the people who made this movement possible. Behind this powerful annual event is a group of extraordinary individuals who turned personal heartbreak into action, awareness, and hope. As we gear up for this year’s Walk & Run, we reflect on the legacy of our founders. The visionaries, caregivers, survivors, and advocates who dared to believe in a world with out lung cancer.
Judy Golz: The Inspiration
Judy Golz is often described as the spark that lit the flame. Her vision, passion, and perseverance were instrumental in launching both the first Twin Cities Lung Run/Walk and the incorporation of A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation in 2008. She served on our first board of directors while courageously fighting the disease that would take her life in 2009.
In her honor, we created the Judy Golz Award, given annually to an exemplary female volunteer at our Women’s Wellness Tea. Judy may be gone, but her light shines brightly in every stride we take.
Shanna Ballsrud: Carrying the Torch
Judy’s daughter, Shanna, was by her side from diagnosis to advocacy. She has carried her mother’s legacy forward with strength and compassion. Shanna served three terms on our board and continues to be a vital part of the foundation’s mission. Her family remains committed to honoring Judy’s memory by working tirelessly to raise awareness and support for those affected by lung cancer.
MJ McKeon: Survivor and Advocate
Diagnosed in 2006 with stage 4 inoperable lung cancer, MJ McKeon continues to defy the odds. Her voice, compassion, and energy have lifted countless patients and families through her work with Minnesota survivor groups and A Breath of Hope. As MJ says, “I will never stop supporting patients and families hurt by this stupid cancer.” And she hasn’t.
Mike Corcoran: The Go-Getter
Mike Corcoran helped launch the first Twin Cities Lung Run/Walk—and even won the first Spirit Award. He turned his diagnosis into purpose, advocating for lung cancer awareness and research funding across the nation, including at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Though we lost Mike in 2009, his energy, advocacy, and courage live on through the support of his loved ones.
Bernie Collins & Lorie Beerling: A Mother-Daughter Mission
Bernie Collins and her daughter, Lorie, were organizing their own lung cancer awareness event when fate connected them with Judy and others through their nurse, Michelle O’Brien. Bernie was a loving mother whose journey with lung cancer inspired deep commitment. After her passing in 2011, Lorie has remained active in the foundation, often seen at events with her family, continuing to fight for change in Bernie’s memory.
Michelle O’Brien: The Connector
Michelle O’Brien was the nurse who brought the founders together and gave their shared pain a powerful direction. As a leader of the Fairview Hospital support group, she saw the potential in unity. Thanks to Michelle’s guidance, the first Lung Run/Walk came to life in 2007. Her collaborative spirit and compassion helped shape the foundation’s early efforts—and earned her the 2012 Outstanding Nurse Award by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
Join Us August 9, 2025: Walk, Run, or Rally for a Breath of Hope
This year, you’re not just participating in an event—you’re honoring lives, stories, and a legacy of hope. Whether you run, walk, or rally, your presence helps fund critical lung cancer research, patient support, and public awareness. You are helping us carry forward what our founders began.
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