LiveLung is a web portal created for the purpose of strengthening the lung cancer community. LiveLung helps unite nonprofits with those new to the lung cancer community. LiveLung encourages advocates and volunteers to connect with an organization best matching their interests, in addition to serving the needs of people fighting lung cancer.

LiveLung strives to achieve the following goals and objectives:

•          Raise awareness and compassion for those touched by lung cancer;

•          Function as a compass for newly diagnosed lung cancer patients and friends and direct them to available resources;

•          Support other lung cancer nonprofits by introducing visitors to their organizations;

•          Provide current news and information for lung cancer survivors and their loved ones;

•          Educate the general public about lung cancer.

Those in the war against lung cancer face battles on many fronts. Sadly, one of our challenges is that there are so few survivors. In addition to lung cancer survivors being rare, some consider themselves to be “living with lung cancer” rather than "survivors" as they undergo grueling treatment.

Lung cancer survivors are uncommon. But when someone has been profoundly touched by lung cancer and become an advocate, they are fiercely dedicated to this cause. Lung cancer advocates are incredibly passionate and spirited. Most who enter this world know nothing about the travesties—stigma, lack of funding, low survival rate—until we experience it firsthand.

Lung cancer advocates are liberals, conservatives, fishermen, knitters, attorneys, construction workers, painters, writers, artists, performers, doctors, wealthy, poor, old, young, African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, married, single, divorced, engaged, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, grandparents, Christians, Jews, atheists, Islamic, Hindus. Lung cancer kills people from every walk of life, race, political belief, religion and social status.

LiveLung embraces the proverb: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. We have a common enemy: lung cancer. Therefore, we are friends in the war against our common enemy. We need each other to win this war.

LiveLung is a Dusty Joy Foundation initiative. For more information about the Dusty Joy Foundation, visit www.DustyJoy.org.