Welcome to the August edition of Young Lung Updates! This month, we’re sharing updates from the Young Lung Cancer Program, including our refreshed webpage and upcoming opportunities to connect, learn, and get involved. Read on to see what’s new and what’s ahead for our community.

Our Webpage has Been Updated!

We’ve recently updated the Young Lung Cancer Program webpage to make it easier to find information about our team, research, and resources.

The updated site now features photos and descriptions of our program leadership, research team, and clinical staff, along with expanded information about our research and clinical trials. We’ve also added new sections with information to help young adults and their families navigate care and find additional support. The webpage is a resource for young patients receiving care at Dana-Farber and other institutions.

40 Days Until the Jimmy Fund Walk!

The countdown is on! Join Team Lung Cancer on Oct. 4 for the Jimmy Fund Walk and help support cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! 

On Aug. 18, members of the Young Lung Cancer Program participated in the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon live from Fenway Park. The annual telethon brings together Dana-Farber patients, doctors, nurses, and supporters to share stories and raise funds for cancer care and research.

Stay tuned for our segment!

Financial Support for Individuals with ALK+ Lung Cancer

The Sweat For Breath Foundation is offering a hardship grant of up to $500 for individuals diagnosed with ALK-positive (ALK+) lung cancer.

The grant is designed to help reduce financial barriers to seeking a second opinion or participating in a clinical trial. Funds may be used for non-medical expenses such as travel, lodging, childcare, and eldercare.

If you or someone you know may benefit from this support, learn more about eligibility and how to apply through the Sweat For Breath Foundation.

Join the Young Adult Program for an evening of food and connection at Time Out Market Boston! Young adult patients are invited to enjoy the outdoor patio, connect with other young adults, and use a gift card toward food from the market’s restaurants. Guests are welcome.

Space is limited, and registration is required. Please be sure to include any guests when registering.

Thursday, Sept. 10 | 6 p.m.–8 p.m.

Time Out Market Boston | 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA

Like the Young Lung Cancer Program, the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR Mutant Lung Cancers is housed in the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology We are highlighting their work here for young adult patients with EGFR mutant lung cancers who may be interested in their resources.

The Chen-Huang Center for EGFR Mutant Lung Cancers works to improve the lives of patients living with EGFR mutant lung cancer through innovative research and personalized care. The center offers patients expert clinical care, assessments for clinical trial eligibility, programming and education for patients and caregivers, connections to other Dana-Farber support resources, and more. To learn more about the center, please visit our website or contact us at EGFRcenter@dfci.harvard.edu.

Subscribe to our e-mail list for program updates, resources, and upcoming events (just a few e-mails per year and opt out anytime)!

Join the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living for virtual creative arts workshops designed to support relaxation, well-being, and connection. 

Collage Buttons with the MFA
Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Create wearable art inspired by works from the Museum of Fine Arts using collage materials.

Bird-Themed Watercolor Workbook
Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Explore watercolor techniques, including color mixing, gradients, and texture, through a guided bird-themed workbook.

Registration required. Please register for one workshop by emailing Zakim_Center@dfci.harvard.edu.

Camp Good Days Adult Oncology Programs

Camp Good Days offers year-round programs and weekend retreats for adults living with cancer, providing opportunities to connect with others who understand the cancer experience. Programs include wellness activities, recreational activities, and opportunities to bring a spouse, significant other, or friend.

Upcoming 2026 retreats include Camp S.O.A.R. (September 25–27).

Bridging the Gap/Construyendo Puentes

Supportive care in Spanish for Spanish-speaking Latine adults with cancer

Bridging the Gap/Construyendo Puentes is a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute initiative designed to improve access to culturally responsive supportive oncology care for Spanish-speaking Latine adults with cancer and their families, during treatment and survivorship.

The program offers virtual programs in Spanish addressing sexual health, sleep, and pain management.

For referrals, partnership conversations, or follow-up, contact Teresa Neira at teresa_neira@dfci.harvard.edu or 857-215-4645.

Young Lung Cancer Program co-directors Jaclyn LoPiccolo, MD, PhD, and Narjust Florez, MD recently published new research with our team exploring why some people develop lung cancer at a young age, often without ever smoking.

Why do some people develop lung cancer at a young age, often without ever smoking? A new Dana-Farber study – the largest of its kind – analyzed the inherited DNA of 251 patients diagnosed at age 45 or younger. Researchers found that young patients were more likely to carry genetic changes that raise cancer risk, including in the well-known gene TP53 and in two genes newly linked to lung cancer, IREB2 and SMAD6. These findings suggest that genetic testing may be especially valuable for people diagnosed at a young age, helping guide care for patients and their families.

Explore the Blum Digital Resource Center

The Blum Digital Resource Center offers patients and families access to a variety of resources to support them throughout their cancer experience. A Blum library card allows you to access the Center’s digital resources and explore information and materials available to patients and families.

Want to learn how it works?

Watch this short video below for an overview of the Blum Digital Resource Center and how to make the most of its resources.

Invite a friend or family member to subscribe to our e-newsletter for program updates, resources, and upcoming events.