STARS Participants

My Cancer Advocacy began in 2017 when my wife was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. As her husband and best advocate for her care, I quickly realized that participation in Advocacy groups, attending all doctor appointments, and personal research to obtain knowledge of her Cancer type was the best way I could support her on her cancer journey. Since my wife formed the KRAS Kickers, I have dedicated my volunteer time to increasing my knowledge of targeted therapies being evaluated to manage survivors with a KRAS-mutated cancer. My passion as an Advocate is to facilitate the exchange of cancer research and knowledge between leading experts and survivors by breaking down the knowledge and access barriers to productive discussions.

My interest in the IASLC’s STARS program stems from my stage IV lung cancer diagnosis in 2006 when I was 26 years old. As a never-smoking young adult, I was shocked by this news but immediately became an active participant in my treatment plans, supported by family, friends, and doctors. Since 2006 I have only had eight months off some sort of treatment. It is a full-time job on top of my full-time job.

I learned I was ALK+ in 2010 and was enrolled in the Crizotinib clinical trial. After years of chemotherapy and maintenance therapy, this experience was a game changer and piqued my interest in how lung cancer research works. With a recurrence in 2014, I was enrolled in the clinical trial for Brigatinib and continue on the drug today.

In my free time, I enjoy walking with my dog, hiking, running, yoga, and spending time with my family, including my two nephews and my friends. I live outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State in 2002.

I’ve been involved with patient advocacy since 2007 and am looking forward to this adventure.

Laura Floyd was diagnosed with a stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the lung at age 39 while partway through her articling year at a pro bono law firm. 

While cancer may have derailed her legal career, Floyd's advocacy skills have only grown as a result of being a patient and getting involved in various research and awareness groups. She has been active in the Anew Research Collective for adolescents and young adults with cancer and has attended the BC Cancer Summit and Health eMatters conference. Floyd also performs stand-up comedy to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding lung cancers.

Prior to becoming a "mature" law student (in age if not in character), Floyd was a communications professional for several years, using her research and analytical skills to advise government and private sector organizations on effective internal and external communications strategies. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia with her husband, kiddo, and dog. 

Larry Gershon grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He attended college at the University of Colorado. After graduation from college, he entered Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School. Upon completion he received an officer commission and designation as a Naval Flight Officer. He served as a tactical coordinator and mission commander on an antisubmarine warfare aircraft. He left active duty after 5 years but remained in the Navy Reserve, retiring after 30 years of service as a Navy Captain (O-6). When Gershon left active duty with the Navy, he worked in the banking industry for 10 years as a Branch Manager, Regional Branch Manager, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. After leaving the banking world, Gershon started his own business as owner of a commercial printing company. He has remained in that industry for almost 40 years. He is now semi-retired but still operates his business as a print broker. Larry was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in January 2013. He has been an active patient advocate for many years and has recently focused on research advocacy. He is a husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Thayer live in Palo Alto, California.

My name is Tarunima Malik Grover. I am from New Delhi, India. I am delighted and honored to be selected for the 2023 IASLC STARS PRA program. My association with Lung Cancer and patient advocacy started when my father was diagnosed with Advanced NSCLC in September 2019. He was the first from India to travel to the USA and participate in a clinical trial for KRAS-affected patients. He passed away in December 2021 after putting up a brave fight leaving behind an exemplary story of his indomitable spirit and resilience. To honor his memory, I raised a fundraiser to support research through the Lung Cancer Research Foundation for prevention, diagnosis, treatment/cure of lung cancer-https://www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org/shripal-malik/

On a professional front- I am an MBA-Marketing with 10 years of experience in technology, consulting, & digital transformation primarily around conceptualizing, designing, and deploying transformation strategies & frameworks across multiple industry domains and work cultures. I am currently employed with a leading professional services company specializing in Information Technology(IT) services and Consulting. On a personal front - I have a beautiful, encouraging family at home that completes my world. I look forward to learning, networking, and collaborating in this wonderful journey ahead, thank you.

Tiffini Joseph is a Pediatric Cardiac ICU nurse at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Tiffini resides in Pembroke Pines with her husband and four children and spends much of her free time enjoying time spent with family. In 2008, her mother was diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer, ultimately succumbing to the disease in April of 2010. Tiffini not only acted as her mom’s caregiver, she was actively involved with her medical team to help create a care plan that suited the needs of her mom. Since the loss of her mother, she has dedicated herself to advocating on behalf of those affected by lung cancer. 

I am a patient and a new advocate for Lung Cancer. Advocacy is not new for me, I have helped provide awareness and worked with reaching out to legislation and committee events for suicide prevention and mental health awareness, but I just recently started more for Lung Cancer. In 2006, my father was diagnosed and passed away. Since his passing, I also lost my paternal great-uncle, paternal grandmother, and mother in 2016.    My perspective is from that of a caregiver, mental health provider, and patient. On August 30, 2022, I was also diagnosed with Lung Cancer (stage 3A with a ROS1+ mutation and PDL score of 50).  
Since my diagnosis, I have participated in the GO2 Summit, Hope Summit, and a planning committee with Lung Cancer Initiative for a 5K to help fund lung cancer research, help patients and promote awareness. There are also some genetic and research studies that I have or in the process of completing.  I’m very excited to be a member of this selected group for the STARS PRA due to my different perspectives and also having 10 years of experience in pharmaceuticals prior to and during my earlier career in mental health.

Oonagh McArdle was diagnosed, aged 49, with stage 4 NSCLC in 2020, just at the start of the pandemic. Her father previously died of SCLC in 2011. She remains on first-line targeted therapy treatment for the EGFR (exon 21) mutation.
 
Before her diagnosis, she worked for almost two decades as a lecturer at Maynooth University, teaching community development at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Prior to this, she worked as a community and youth worker, mostly in the areas of anti racism and gender equality. She is interested in now transferring her commitment to social justice and experience in influencing change to lung cancer advocacy. At present, she is an Irish government appointee to the National Cancer Patient Advisory Group and also sits on a working group to redraft Lung Cancer GP referral guidelines. 

Oonagh lives on the west coast of Ireland with her husband and two young adult sons and is a proud, enthusiastic cyclist with Galway Bay Cycling Club. 

Tim Monds, retired CEO School Superintendent, has been married to his wife Patty for 40 years. They have four children and two grandchildren. Soon to have another grandchild! Tim was diagnosed with Stage 1 LC in 2016 and Stage 4 in 2018. Tim has had a left upper lobectomy and middle right lobe wedge resection. He has had two years of Immunotherapy treatment. He is a very active lung cancer advocate and the founder, with the help of his family, of Give a Breath 5k walk/run. It is now in its 5th year and now National in Canada. 

My name is Aileen Murgatroyd. I work as an optometrist in 2 practices I run with my husband, Phil. I’m originally from Ayr on the South West Coast of Scotland, but I now live in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. I have two children my daughter Kay who is 24, and my son Ewan who is  21. Kay was diagnosed in 2016 with alk-positive lung cancer aged just 17. Since her diagnosis, I have tried to educate myself on lung cancer through support groups and advocacy work. In 2020, with some friends and family, I formed Research ALK +ve a UK-registered charity aimed at raising money for research into alk-positive lung cancer. 

My aims include doing everything I can through education, advocacy, and fundraising to help in the fight against lung cancer. Hobbies include spinning, walking, and socialising with my friends and family. I got a sewing machine last year, which I’ve still not had time to master, so hopefully soon! I’m also studying to be an Independent Prescribing Optometrist, having completed the theory, and enjoyed a clinical placement at Central Middlesex Hospital in London, the final step is the College of Optometrists Exam.

I’m looking forward to this opportunity as I’m keen to learn more and contribute in any way I can through my experiences, and I look forward to meeting some new people from across the world. 

Pierre Onda, MD, MPH, is a recently retired internal medicine primary care physician and married to advanced-stage lung cancer survivor Heidi Nafman-Onda. He and Heidi are co-founders of The White Ribbon Project, a non-profit lung cancer advocacy organization focused on lung cancer awareness.

Pierre is the current President of The White Ribbon Project, and he and Heidi also work to encourage others affected by lung cancer to become effective lung cancer advocates. He is passionate about collaborating with primary care providers and healthcare institutions to improve lung cancer screening rates for their eligible patients and promoting adequate research funding for lung cancer.

Deirdre Russo was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC at the age of 49. She feels incredibly lucky to live in a city with great health care and to have a fantastic care team. It is her wish that everyone newly diagnosed had the experience she had. Professionally, Ms. Russo has worked in international public health for over 20 years. Her work focuses on health inequities. She is excited to bring her professional skills and passion to IASLC.

Lorraine Tyler is a lifelong distance runner and has enjoyed a varied career with major corporates, small businesses, and in the not-for-profit sector. She was born in the UK but migrated to Australia while traveling solo round-the-world in 2002. She now lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her wife. 
In 2017 she was diagnosed first with Breast Cancer (May) and later with Lung Cancer (October). Breast Cancer was caught early through an excellent screening program and was cured within 6 weeks – this included two surgeries. In contrast, Lung Cancer (NSCLC EGFR+) was found by accident and took months to be investigated and diagnosed. The initial diagnosis was stage 3a and inoperable. Following combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy and a lobectomy, the Lung Cancer spread throughout both lungs and into her liver - Stage 4 by September 2019. A new doctor immediately prescribed a targeted therapy and her tumors have now shrunk.  
Lorraine regularly speaks publically about the inequity faced by lung cancer patients. Lorraine joined Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Cancer Consumer Advisory group in 2018 and has been Chair for three years. This involves various committees and projects. She advocates politicians at a State and Federal level to bring about improved Lung Cancer Outcomes. She is also a member of the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australia.