By the time you read this, three people will have died from lung cancer

In three minutes you can brew yourself a cup of coffee or listen to your favorite song. While you do either of those things, someone probably died of lung cancer. It happens every 3.3 minutes in the United States.

In 2010, I was one of the 224,000 who are diagnosed with lung cancer in a year. I will never say I’m cancer free, but I was lucky enough to have a doctor who didn’t dismiss my concerns and I was able to participate in a clinical trial that cleared my cancer. Considering the lung cancer survival rate is at a devastatingly low 17 percent, I know that my situation is miraculous and I needed to spend my time getting involved and advocating for this cause.

That’s why I’m participating in the 11th annual Free to Breathe lung cancer walk in Philadelphia on November 6. I encourage others to always advocate for themselves and their loved ones. Get screened, get second opinions, and trust yourself.

-Mary Ann Stephany, Drexel Hill