Congratulations to lung cancer survivors Kiersten Dickson, Kelly Kakuk, and Edwina Edgeworth who were awarded a travel grant by former NFL linebacker Chris Draft of Team Draft to attend LUNGevity's 5th Annual National HOPE Summit in Washington DC May 1-3, 2015.

HOPE Summit is a one-of-a-kind survivorship conference for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with lung cancer. It is held the first weekend of May, (Lung Cancer Hope Month) every year in Washington DC and each year boasts the largest national gathering of lung cancer survivors.

The goal of the weekend is to provide a summit for survivors with educational sessions covering topics like research, immunotherapy, ask the oncologist, thoracic surgery, communicating with your caregivers, managing your medical team, living with lung cancer, nutrition, writing and blogging, becoming an empowered advocate, and sharing lung cancer survivor stories.

There are also activities and events during the weekend that provide the opportunity for survivors from across the nation to meet others that have similar diagnosis, network with experts and build lasting friendships and support systems.

Chris Draft will be attending this year's HOPE Summit and will speak about the importance of raising awareness, his personal story and experience as a lung cancer caregiver and advocate, and share how he and his late wife Keasha began their foundation. Team Draft is an initiative of the Chris Draft Family Foundation created by Chris and his late wife Keasha during her year-long struggle with Stage IV Lung Cancer.

"When Chris and Keasha launched Team Draft, they made a commitment to tackle cancer. Team Draft is honoring that commitment by using the unique platform available to Chris as a former NFL player and nationally recognized community leader and health advocate to lead a national campaign to change the face of lung cancer."*

You can read more about Chris, Keasha and Team Draft at the Team Draft website.

LUNGevity is honored to welcome Chis Draft and his guest-survivors at this years event! 

Courtesy of LUNGevity By:Katie Brown