In this episode, we have the great honor and privilege of talking with Jack Owens. Jack Owens is a rising junior at the University of Notre Dame and is originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is studying business analytics, finance, and computing and digital technologies, and serves as Vice President of Business Development for the Jubilee Initiative for Financial Inclusion, a student-run nonprofit focused on economic justice.

Jack has been a dedicated supporter of Ride Hard Breathe Easy since 2017, playing a key role in communications with partners, sponsors, and donors. He is currently riding across the country, a 3,600-mile journey in memory of his grandmother, raising funds and awareness for lung cancer patients. Each day of the ride is dedicated to someone impacted by the disease, making the journey deeply personal and purposeful.

This is part two of a two-part miniseries, where we speak with Jack Owens and his uncle, John Matthews, about their journeys with Ride Hard Breathe Easy.

Your podcast hosts are Sam Schwartz, Pranav Mandyam, Jacob Rashap, and Priyanka Senthil.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 20% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @AmLungCSI

Instagram: @amlungcsi

In this episode, we have the great honor and privilege of talking with Mr. John Matthews. John is the founder of Ride Hard Breathe Easy; a nonprofit organization committed to supporting lung cancer patients and advancing awareness and care. Motivated by the loss of his mother to lung cancer, John turned his grief into action by launching a cross-country bike ride that has since grown into a national movement. Ride Hard Breathe Easy now partners with seven cancer centers across the country, has supported more than 2,500 patients, and raised over $1 million for lung cancer care Initiatives.

In addition to his advocacy work, John teaches public speaking and speechwriting at Temple University, helping students use their voice to make a difference. He also was instrumental in establishing the ALCSI Chapter at Temple University. He lives outside Philadelphia with his wife, Beth, and has a son, John, who he deeply admires. John brings a unique perspective to the cancer research conversation—blending lived experience, community mobilization, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for those facing lung cancer.

This is part one of a two-part miniseries, where we speak with John Matthews and his nephew, Jack Owens, about their journeys with Ride Hard Breathe Easy.

Your podcast hosts are Sam Schwartz, Pranav Mandyam, Jacob Rashap, and Priyanka Senthil.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 20% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @AmLungCSI

Instagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Dr. Aurora Lucas. Dr. Lucas is a Filipina American lung cancer survivor, educator, and independent consultant deeply committed to health equity, inclusive storytelling, and culturally responsive advocacy. Diagnosed with Stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer at 28 while completing her doctorate and teaching full-time, Aurora experienced delays in diagnosis due to age, gender, and insurance barriers. That experience now fuels her work to uplift historically marginalized voices, particularly young women of color navigating systems not designed for them.

As a learning specialist and community-driven leader, Aurora empowers others through education while also working to bridge gaps in healthcare. Her story and advocacy have been featured by CNN, NBC News, CBS, The Tamron Hall Show, and other national platforms. She continues to use her voice to ensure patients feel informed, represented, and empowered.

Your podcast hosts are Sam Schwartz, Pranav Mandyam, Jacob Rashap, and Priyanka Senthil.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 20% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @AmLungCSI

Instagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Dr. Sora Ely. Sora Ely, MD is a thoracic surgeon at The George Washington University. She completed her medical degree at the Tulane University School of Medicine, her General Surgery residency at UCSF East Bay, and her Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine. She is board-certified in General Surgery and in Thoracic Surgery. She serves as Co-Director of the GW Lung Cancer Screening Program and Director of the GW Incidental Lung Nodule Program.Her clinical practice includes treatment of lung and esophageal cancer, mediastinal masses including thymoma, and benign foregut surgery including hiatal hernia. She offers both laparoscopic/thoracoscopic and robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgical techniques.Her research focuses on practice improvement and clinical outcomes in thoracic surgery and lung cancer screening. She has a special interest in population health and health equity in lung cancer screening, and one of her current projects is a grant-funded initiative to improve uptake and reduce race disparities in lung cancer screening in DC Wards 7 and 8. She also serves as Co-Chair of the DC Cancer Coalition in partnership with DC Health. Your podcast hosts are Sam Schwartz and Jacob Rashap.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 5% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.Email: [email protected]: @AmLungCSIInstagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Hannah Safron. After completing her undergraduate degree in Public Health in Chicago in 2021, Hannah set off on a year-long federal service volunteer program with AmeriCorps NCCC. She has experience in urban agriculture, disaster relief work, affordable housing construction, and trail maintenance. For the past two years, she has worked full-time at the GW Cancer Center as a Community Health Associate in the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. Her work focuses on community health education and patient navigation for priority populations including African American, African Immigrant, Latino, and queer communities in GW's catchment area. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Community Oriented Primary Care. Your podcast hosts are Pranav Mandyam, Jacob Rashap, and Sam Schwartz.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 5% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.Email: [email protected]: @AmLungCSIInstagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Dr. Eric Singhi. Dr. Eric K. Singhi is a thoracic/head and neck medical oncologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine and completed his Internship and Residency training in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He subsequently completed his hematology and medical oncology fellowship training at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, serving as Chief Education Fellow. He also speaks multiple languages, including Hindi and Spanish. He specializes in General Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology. He has an interest in thoracic medical oncology, patient-reported outcomes, patient education, and community outreach. Your podcast hosts are Pranav Mandyam and Sam Schwartz.Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 5% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.Email: [email protected]: @AmLungCSIInstagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Dr. Lecia Sequist. Dr. Sequist is a medial oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she serves as the program director of the Cancer Early Detection & Diagnostic Clinic. Dr. Sequist received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University before attending Harvard Medical School, subsequently going to study internal medical at Brigham and Women's Hospital and hematology & oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2005 she joined the faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and since joining, has had an active and fruitful career centered around caring for lung cancer patients, as well as conducting both clinical and translational research. Dr. Sequist has held grants from the NIH, DOD, and many other private foundations, and her research has been highly influential in developing targeted therapeutics and novel detection techniques.

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Jeff Stibelman. Jeff is a lung cancer survivor who’s journey began in 2017. On January 1, 2017 Jeff was diagnosed with cancer of the cervical spine after experiencing severe nerve pain down his whole right side. Following a procedure to remove 3/4 of the tumor and radiosurgery to treat the remainder, everything was stable until March 2021. After receiving a chest x-ray for a slight cough, a mass was discovered in Jeff’s lower right lobe, a mass that had been present since 2017. Jeff has been receiving treatment for his lung cancer since, with the mass shrinking in size. As a result of his journey, Jeff has become a dedicated lung cancer advocate, working to raise awareness for greater testing and research, as well as to erase the stigma surrounding lung cancer.

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Caitlin Der. Caitlin is a dedicated professional with a passion for community-driven initiatives and advocacy. She currently manages programming, events, development, and communications for KRAS Cancer Connect, fostering support for those affected by KRAS-driven cancers. Previously, she served for nearly a decade on the board of a North Carolina-based chapter of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network and volunteered with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan), focusing on volunteer coordination. Caitlin's career also includes experience in the transplant department of a local hospital and extensive volunteer work with organizations addressing the needs of marginalized communities, such as El Futuro and the Community Health Coalition. A teacher by training, she has spent much of her career in marketing, with a particular focus on supporting organizations that uplift underserved communities.

Your podcast hosts are Priyanka Senthil and Sam Schwartz.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Large clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening through low-dose computed tomography (CT) reduces lung cancer mortality by up to 33%. In fact, if every high-risk American were to get screened right now, thousands of lives could be saved this year alone. However, less than 5% of high-risk Americans are currently getting screened. Visit our website at https://www.alcsi.org/ for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @AmLungCSI

Instagram: @amlungcsi

Our guest on this ALCSI podcast is Daniel West. Daniel is a survivor and dedicated lung cancer patient advocate committed to increasing awareness, supporting patients, and reducing the societal stigma associated with lung cancer. His journey began in October 2022 when two suspicious nodules were identified in his lung during a heart scan, and later confirmed to be stage 2b Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with an EGFR+ biomarker. He received treatment and his scans currently show no evidence of active disease.