January is Radon Action Month, a time to raise awareness about a hidden danger that can affect any home. For Jennifer Olson, a board member of A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation, the lessons of Radon Action Month are deeply personal.
In late 2017, Jennifer’s world changed in an instant when both of her parents were diagnosed with lung cancer within weeks of each other. Her stepfather’s persistent cough led to a doctor-ordered x-ray, revealing a mass diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancer. Shortly after, Jennifer’s mother received a CT scan that revealed an even more aggressive small cell lung cancer. It was later discovered that her parents’ Iowa home had elevated radon levels.
“The odds seemed impossible,” Jennifer recalls. “And yet, it was real. Both of my parents were facing life-threatening disease at the same time.”
The family faced immense challenges including coordinating her parents’ move to a new home, caregiving, and navigating the costs and side effects of treatment. Through it all, their family found moments of joy and connection. During that time, Jennifer tested her own Minnesota home for radon, which came back high and required mitigation.
Jennifer’s parents passed away — her mother in July 2020 and her stepfather in January 2024 — leaving a profound void in her family’s life. Their spirit and the lessons they shared continue to live on, inspiring Jennifer’s work with A Breath of Hope. Through her advocacy, support, and commitment to lung cancer research, she honors their memory while helping others navigate the challenges of this disease.
One lesson from her mother resonates above all: Never settle. Jennifer says, “To lose hope is to settle. And you do not settle.”
This Radon Action Month, don’t settle. Test your home for radon and take action to keep your family safe.
