Roxborough Man, Lost To Lung Cancer, Not Forgotten By Family

There was never a year that Casey Helig can remember that her dad, John, didn’t go out hunting in the month of November.

That’s why she and her team for the Philadelphia Free to Breathe lung cancer 5K run/walk wear camouflage t-shirts as they walk in his memory every year during the event in November.

November is also National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

John passed away in 2011 after a 20 month battle with lung cancer, but Casey says you wouldn’t even know her dad was sick except for the last two or three months.

He was diagnosed as terminal from the start, but drove himself to chemo and radiation treatments, always cooked the big family dinners, and even became more social and active after he was diagnosed.

John’s cancer was found during the removal of swollen glands in his face and had shown no symptoms prior to that surgery.

Casey and her family are participating in the 10th anniversary event for the Philadelphia Free to Breathe 5K run/walk on Sunday, November 1 in Fairmount Park for the fourth year in a row. She says it’s a good way to bring everyone together and celebrate her father’s life. They love to laugh and remember funny moments and good times they had with him and are passionate about helping prevent other families from going through what they did.