Fundraising for Shine A Light with Lung Foundation Australia plays a vital part in raising money to support ground-breaking lung cancer research. With over 40 events held Australia-wide in November 2023, the fundraising efforts have amassed over $255,000 and still counting (as of December 2023).
Research is a vital way to drive treatment advancements. In the last 20 years the world has seen lung cancer survival rates increase more than any other cancer. There is still more work to be done though.
Sharmila Lakshmanaa, bravely shared her story with supporters at Sydney’s Shine A Light event. Participating with her family, the importance of fundraising in the fight against lung cancer.
Sharmila’s story
“I am so grateful to the Lung Foundation Australia for spreading awareness at events and all the hard work campaigning for more lung cancer research and screening,” said Sharmila.
“My life turned upside down two days before Christmas last year when I diagnosed with lung cancer, Stage 4. Which means it has spread outside my lungs. I was relatively healthy, and it caught us by surprise… It has been a very emotional and stressful journey so far.”
The wife and mother of three young children, included in her speech how getting involved with Lung Foundation Australia, has had a positive impact on her life.
“Through the lung foundation’s lung cancer support group, I have made friends with the most amazing people across Australia that are in the same boat as me.
“It’s easy to talk to them as they “just get it” regarding experiences with lung cancer. We share our research and coping strategies. We vent, laugh, cry, cheer and just listen to each other. Anyone diagnosed with lung cancer, survivors or people in remission are welcome to join us!.”
The support and fundraising efforts of people within Lung Foundation Australia’s lung health community, can go a long way. Additionally, they can offer support to those to whom it is essential.
“Your support here is invaluable to spread the awareness about lung cancer, remove the stigma, lobby governments. And additionally to provide better early population screening and find better treatments,” added Sharmila.
Educating others
Speaking at Sydney’s Shine A Light event, Sharmila also wanted to try to break the stigma around lung cancer diagnosis.
“I never knew about lung cancer being the biggest killer in Australia, until now. You don’t hear about it as much as the other cancers. I only heard about lung cancer from smoking or certain professionals who work with dust, asbestos or stone work.
“Now I know that even non-smokers like me can get this aggressive form of cancer.”
How can you get involved with fundraising?
You can register your Shine A Light DIY Fundraiser any time of the year to support life changing research. Alternatively, you can start your fundraising by searching our website for a Lung Foundation Australia fundraiser in your area or start your own.
Hosting your own fundraiser means you can get involved at any time. Fundraising can be as fun and creative as you like it to be. Hence, it plays a vital role in the lung health community.
How does your support help?
The money raised through the generosity of the lung health community provides funds for research and support. Additionally, Lung Foundation Australia provides seed funds to some of the best and brightest researchers to gain a greater understanding of lung cancer.
With your fundraising efforts, research helps to discover:
- Faster ways to diagnose lung cancer
- More effective treatments to give families more precious time
- And ultimately, a cure for lung cancer.
“We all have lungs, so with every breath, let’s fight so that more people can survive lung cancer,” said Sharmila.
