Behind every Shine a Light community walk is someone with a story.
Across Australia, our volunteer community hosts are bringing people together to honour loved ones, support those living with lung cancer, raise awareness, and create hope for the future.
Each host has their own reason for getting involved, but they all share one goal – to make sure no one affected by lung cancer feels alone.
Meet the incredible people helping Shine a Light in communities across Australia.
Erin – Largs Bay, South Australia
“Lung cancer has touched my life in the deepest way, and hosting Shine a Light is my way of honouring Mum while helping break the stigma surrounding this disease.”
Erin has been part of the Shine a Light campaign for four years and now proudly hosts the Largs Bay community walk. Living in Adelaide, she and her husband are preparing to welcome their first baby this year—a milestone she hopes to celebrate by bringing her daughter to her very first Shine a Light walk.
Erin’s connection to the campaign began after her mum was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer in 2019. As a non-smoker, the diagnosis came as a devastating shock to the family. Following her mum’s passing in 2022, Erin asked her best friend Mel to help organise a Shine a Light walk in her honour. Today, she’s taken on the role herself.
“Shine a Light reminds people that absolutely anyone can get lung cancer. It’s a disease that comes with so much judgement because of its association with smoking, and it’s simply not talked about enough.”
Now, Erin is motivated by her mum’s memory and the opportunity to bring her community together.
“Seeing the different coloured lanterns really puts into perspective just how many people are affected by lung cancer. Sharing stories, breaking the stigma and remembering loved ones is incredibly important.”
When asked what gives her hope, Erin spoke about the future of earlier diagnosis.
“I hope that by raising awareness, more people will be diagnosed before the cancer has spread. I hope early screening becomes as routine as screening for bowel or breast cancer.”
For anyone considering attending a Shine a Light walk for the first time, Erin has a simple message:
“Please come along. There’s no pressure to raise a certain amount or share your story. Everyone is there for the same reason—to honour loved ones, support each other and help create hope.”
I Shine a Light because…
“Of my mum and everyone living with lung cancer. Where there is light, there is hope. This disease will not isolate you.”
Bev – Kingscliff, New South Wales
“Hosting Shine a Light is my way of honouring my son, Matthew, while helping create hope for other families facing lung cancer.”
Originally from Goulburn, New South Wales, Bev has called the beautiful Tweed Coast home for the past 27 years. When she’s not spending time with her three children and nine grandchildren, she’s dedicating her time to raising awareness and bringing her local community together through the Kingscliff Shine a Light community walk.
This year marks Bev’s second year as a Community Host, but her connection to the campaign is deeply personal.
In April 2023, Bev’s son, Matthew, passed away from lung cancer, just one year and one day after his diagnosis. He was only 38 years old and left behind a young family.
“I wanted to find a way to honour my son and help others who are suffering from lung cancer.”
For Bev, hosting Shine a Light is about turning grief into hope.
“My son couldn’t be saved, so my wish is that by raising money we can help give people with lung cancer access to more targeted treatments and a better chance of long-term survival.”
She believes community events like Shine a Light are about much more than fundraising.
“They bring awareness, raise much-needed funds and bring the community together behind a common cause.”
One of the things Bev treasures most is seeing family, friends and the wider community unite in support of one another.
“I look forward to the connection that comes from bringing people together. It’s a reminder that no one has to face this disease alone.”
For anyone thinking about attending a Shine a Light walk for the first time, Bev offers simple reassurance.
“Please come along. It’s a friendly, welcoming event where people share information, hope and support. We remember those we’ve lost, stand beside those living with lung cancer, and finish with a beautiful lantern walk together.”
Looking to the future, Bev is encouraged by the progress being made through research and support services.
“There are more targeted therapies, more specialist nurses and more support available than ever before. By continuing to raise funds, we can help even more people survive this terrible disease.”
I Shine a Light…
“…for my son, Matthew, and for everyone affected by lung cancer. I want to bring awareness, hope and support, while helping fund the research that will save lives.”
Tara – Cronulla, New South Wales
“Every community walk is an opportunity to remember my Dad, celebrate the strength of the lung cancer community, and help fund the research and support that will change lives.”
Growing up in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, Tara has always loved the outdoors, community sport and giving back through charity events. This year, they’re excited to bring Shine a Light to Cronulla—a place that holds special meaning for their family and where their father lived.
Although they had supported a number of charities over the years, lung cancer became deeply personal when their dad was diagnosed just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We found out my Dad had lung cancer just before COVID and that was a shock. Through trying to find support networks, we discovered Lung Foundation Australia.”
After taking part in the Sydney Shine a Light Walk in 2024, they were inspired to help bring the event to their own community.
“We want to continue to raise awareness, and this year hope to bring friends and extended family together in Cronulla to honour Dad and support others affected by lung cancer.”
For them, hosting a community walk is about more than organising an event, it’s about creating connection, keeping their dad’s memory alive, and ensuring others know support is available.
“Community events are important to maintain presence, exposure and support.”
As they prepare to welcome their local community, they’re looking forward to seeing people come together in remembrance and solidarity.
“Cronulla really gets behind its people. Being able to honour Dad and those going through lung cancer is incredibly special.”
Their advice to anyone considering attending a Shine a Light walk for the first time is beautifully simple:
“Just get involved, one step at a time—something my Dad would always say when life felt a little challenging.”
I Shine a Light because…
“…my Dad’s legacy still burns bright, reminding us to keep walking, keep hoping, and keep reaching for a future without lung cancer.”
Lauren – Toowoomba, Queensland
For Lauren, a Registered Nurse, hosting Shine a Light is about remembering a dear friend and colleague she lost to lung cancer, while creating a place for others to come together. This November will be her second year hosting the Toowoomba walk through Queens Park.
“I wanted to enable all of my colleagues to have a way to remember the amazing person we lost and enable others in the same situation to join together as a community.”
After a fantastic first walk last year, Lauren hopes to continue building awareness in Toowoomba, particularly around the importance of seeking medical advice and earlier diagnosis.
“It is a great community supporting those that have been through the hardest time.”
For Lauren, the event is also an opportunity to remember those who have passed from lung cancer, celebrate those living with lung cancer, and create an evening that feels uplifting and welcoming.
“It is an event filled with love, laughter and hope, and it brings a community together.”
As a nurse, Lauren is particularly passionate about greater awareness and wants to see fewer people experiencing a late diagnosis.
And to anyone currently living with lung cancer, she shares a powerful message:
“You are amazing. The tenacity and strength that you show is forever inspiring.”
I Shine a Light because…
“I don’t want those that fought, but lost, to be forgotten.”
Tara Witney – Redcliffe, Queensland
For first-time Community Host Tara Witney, bringing Shine a Light to Redcliffe is an incredibly personal way to honour her mum while helping other families impacted by lung cancer.
Tara’s mum lived with small cell lung cancer for three and a half years after being diagnosed at stage four. She passed away in June 2026. Within two weeks, Tara had reached out to Lung Foundation Australia about hosting a community walk.
“I wanted to honour my mother and have a space to meet others who may be going through a similar journey. It was a way to do something proactive for Mum in her passing.”
After attending the Brisbane Shine a Light walk, personally raising $700 in 2025, Tara is now bringing that same sense of community to Moreton Bay.
“It is a time to reflect and engage with others, and to recognise that you are not alone.”
Tara is looking forward to having her family and friends beside her, while also meeting others whose lives have been touched by lung cancer.
Her experience with her mum has also made earlier diagnosis and greater awareness particularly important to her.
“It is this type of screening that can help catch lung cancer earlier and allow a person to have more choices for their treatment, their body and wellbeing.”
And if you’re considering coming along to Redcliffe for your first Shine a Light walk, Tara wants you to feel welcome:
“Just come with some comfy shoes, enjoy the view and come and say hi to me – I’d love to chat!”
I Shine a Light because…
“My Mum deserved more time and life, and I want to help others fulfil their dreams.”
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