The Vision That Started It All
On March 27, we marked the anniversary of A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation’s incorporation with a birthday cake delivered to Fairview Hospital. Held by our Executive Director, Teri Cannon, and Ellen LaFontaine, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C, Fairview. The moment connects our present to where it all began—inside hospital walls, alongside patients, caregivers, and one extraordinary woman whose vision still guides us today.
Where It Started
In 2007, a small but determined group of lung cancer patients and their loved ones began meeting in a local support group. Among them were individuals who understood firsthand the fear, stigma, and lack of resources surrounding lung cancer.
With the support of Michele O’Brien, a lung cancer nurse navigator at Fairview Hospital, the group decided to take action. Together, they launched the very first Twin Cities Lung Run/Walk to raise funds and awareness.
The event was a success. But when the group realized the funds raised were not being directed toward lung cancer research and patient-centered priorities in the way they had hoped, one person stepped forward with a bold solution.
The Mission
Judy Golz, the visionary behind the mission. A patient herself, Judy believed deeply that lung cancer patients deserved more: more research, more support, more hope. She helped organize that first Run/Walk and played a critical role in shaping what would come next.
Determined to ensure funds would directly impact lung cancer research and patient care, Judy took action. In 2008, she signed the official paperwork to establish A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit—a moment we continue to honor today.
Judy served on the first board of directors and remained deeply involved, even while facing her own lung cancer.
In 2009, Judy lost her life to lung cancer, but her legacy continues to inspire everything we do.
To honor her impact, A Breath of Hope established the Judy Golz Volunteer Award, recognizing an outstanding volunteer each year—someone who embodies her passion, strength, and commitment to others.
From a Small Beginning to Meaningful Progress
What began as a small group of patients determined to make a difference has grown into a powerful change. Since its founding, A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation has:
- Invested over $4 million in lung cancer research
- Expanded programs in education, patient support, and advocacy
- Built a community rooted in hope, collaboration, and access to care
At the same time, the landscape of lung cancer has shifted significantly:
Then:
- Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death, yet severely underfunded
- 5-year survival rate was around 15% and as low as 6% for SCLC
- Limited treatment options
- Significant stigma, especially tied to smoking history
- Few targeted therapies or screening programs
Now:
- 5-year survival has improved to 33.7% in Minnesota
- Advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy are extending lives
- Lung cancer screening (low-dose CT) is saving lives through early detection
- Growing awareness is helping reduce stigma
- More patients have access to personalized treatment and clinical trials
While there is still much work to do, this progress reflects what is possible when patients, advocates, and organizations like A Breath of Hope come together.
A Legacy That Lives On
Every year on March 27, we remember that A Breath of Hope was not created in a boardroom—it was born from lived experience, courage, and a refusal to accept the status quo.
From a hospital support group to a foundation the journey reflects the power of community and purpose.
