2025 Journey Across America: Celebrating 20 Years of Lung Cancer Progress and Survivorship
Miles of Progress; Miles to Go
In 2005, Dusty Donaldson heard the words no one wants to hear: “You have lung cancer.” She survived—and dedicated her life to helping others do the same. Now, 20 years later, Dusty is hitting the road in the LiveLung Skan Van to celebrate her cancerversary and the incredible progress made in lung cancer research, treatment, and early detection over the past two decades. The Journey will also raise awareness about early detection and the urgent need for research funding, while inspiring hope for everyone facing a lung cancer journey of their own.
This isn’t just a personal milestone. It’s a national mission.
Dusty’s Journey Across America will spotlight the researchers, clinicians, survivors, and advocates who’ve helped move the needle on lung cancer survival. With over 50 stops across the country, Dusty will meet with members of the lung cancer community from coast to coast and into Canada—conducting interviews and capturing stories, raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting lung cancer screening.
Along the way, her conversations will form the heart of a new documentary film: a powerful tribute to the unsung heroes of the lung cancer movement and the survivors whose stories offer hope and inspiration. At every stop, the camera will be rolling—capturing not just Dusty’s road trip, but America’s journey in the fight against lung cancer.
To mark her 20th cancerversary, Dusty is also giving away free copies of the newly released second edition of The ABCs of Lung Cancer: for Patients and Advocates, co-authored with her daughter, Kimberly Lester. This updated, easy-to-read guide offers practical tips for patients and caregivers, personal reflections, prevention advice—and, above all, hope. The 2025 edition, which features interviews with patients, advocates, and lung cancer experts, will be distributed free at events and community stops throughout the tour.
This effort will also be promoted in local media across the country to bring national attention to a disease that too often goes unnoticed—and to remind the public that lung cancer is not a death sentence.
Together, we’re celebrating progress, honoring perseverance, and driving hope forward—one mile at a time.
Coming Soon: A National Story
As Dusty travels the country, cameras are rolling—capturing real conversations with the people driving advancement of lung cancer care and survivorship. From researchers and clinicians to survivors, care partners, and advocates, this in-the-making documentary will spotlight the voices of those driving hope, healing, and change across the country.
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In the News
See how LiveLung and the Journey are making headlines across the country. From local news stories to national features, our mission to raise lung cancer awareness and celebrate survivorship continues to inspire communities everywhere.
Moments that Matter
From coast to coast, Dusty and the Skan Van are connecting with the lung cancer community—survivors, care partners, clinicians, and advocates who make this movement matter. These moments of joy and solidarity remind us why we keep driving forward: to honor every story and inspire hope at every stop.
On the Road with Dusty
Want to see where the road leads? From Raleigh to Seattle, Los Angeles to Boston, Dusty’s route spans more than 50 stops in 45 days—meeting with survivors, visiting cancer centers, and sharing stories of progress. Follow along as she brings the message of hope and awareness to communities across North America, one meaningful mile at a time.
On the Road with Dusty
Want to see where the road leads? From Raleigh to Seattle, Los Angeles to Boston, Dusty’s route spans more than 50 stops in 45 days—meeting with survivors, visiting cancer centers, and sharing stories of progress. Follow along as she brings the message of hope and awareness to communities across North America, one meaningful mile at a time.
Date | City | Highlight | |
|---|---|---|---|
09/25/2025 | Raleigh, NC | Depart LungCAN Summit on Journey | |
09/25/2025 | Wilmington, NC | Wilmington LiveLung Chapter Sendoff Henry's Restaurant & Bar - Dinner at 5:15 PM 2508 Independence Blvd, Wilmington, NC | |
09/26/2025 | Augusta, GA | Augusta LiveLung Chapter Bonefish Grill - Lunch at 12:00 PM 2911 Washington Road, Augusta, GA | |
09/27/2025 | Port Saint Lucie, FL | ||
09/28/2025 | Fort Myers, FL | Ft Myers LiveLung Chapter Bahama Breeze - Lunch at 11:30 AM 14701 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL | |
09/28/2025 | Tampa, FL | Tampa LiveLung Chapter Bahama Breeze - Dinner at 5:00 PM 3045 N Rocky Point Dr E, Tampa, FL | |
09/29/2025 | Marietta, GA | Marietta Chapter Ruby Tuesday’s - Dinner at 5:00 PM 2435 Delk Road, Marietta, GA | |
09/30/2025 | Nashville, TN | Nashville Chapter Amerigo Italian Restaurant - Lunch at 12:30 PM 1920 W End Ave, Nashville, TN | |
10/01/2025 | Memphis, TN | University of Memphis School of Public Health | |
10/01/2025 | Baton Rouge, LA | ||
10/02/2025 | Houston, TX | Dusty meets members of ALCSI's Baylor University chapter | |
10/02/2025 | Dallas, TX | Dusty meets with LiveLung's Director of Online Communities, Katie Brown | |
10/03/2025 | Amarillo, TX | Dusty meets Buc-ee! | |
10/06/2025 | Los Angeles, CA | LA Area Lung Cancer Survivors & Advocates Lunch at 12:00 pm JW Marriott Los Angeles Live 900 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA | |
10/06/2025 | Los Angeles, CA | Dusty meets with the ALCSI's UCLA Chapter | |
10/07/2025 | Los Angeles, CA | Annabelle Gurwitch and her cat Shirley meet Skan! | |
10/08/2025 | Thousand Oaks, CA | Dusty connects with fellow advocate Holly Saari! | |
10/09/2025 | Westlake Village, CA | Amgen Interview | |
10/10/2025 | Dublin, CA | Dusty connects with advocartes Maria Urza, Maggie McCloskey, Wayne Yeung, and Eevee! | |
10/11/2025 | Chico, CA | Survivor Meetup! 12:00-2:00 PM | |
10/12/2025 | Castle Rock, WA | Dusty meets with friend and advocate Cindy Langhorne | |
10/13/2025 | Surrey, BC, Canada | Dusty and the Skan Van go international and meet with friend and advocate, Angus Pratt | |
10/15/2025 | Denver, CO | ||
10/16/2025 | Denver, CO | Dusty interviews Heidi and Pierre of the White Ribbon Project for the upcoming documentary | |
10/19/2025 | St. Louis, MO | Dusty and the Skan Van stop at the Gateway Arch | |
10/19/2025 | Kansas City, MO | Dusty connects with advocates and LiveLung Champions Wendy & Larry Brooks | |
10/21/2025 | Deerfield, IL | Dusty connects with survivor advocates Maida Mangiameli and Luna Okada | |
10/21/2025 | Chicago, IL | Dusty meets with the University of Chicago chapter of ALCSI | |
10/22/2025 | Lake Village, IN | Dusty and the Skan Van join forces with Indiana University's Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Unit 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Lake Village Community Center, 9728 N 300W, Lake Village, IN. Pre-register here | |
10/23/2025 | Deerfield, IL | Dusty meets with friend and advocate, Jill Feldman | |
10/23/2025 | Detroit, MI | Lung Cancer Community Luncheon Slows BBQ 11:30 am 21358 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI | |
10/24/2025 | Detroit, MI | Dusty sits down with Dr. Gadgeel | |
10/25/2025 | Pittsburgh, PA | Pittsburgh Chapter Luncheon Twelve Whiskey BBQ - 11:30 AM 1222 East Carson Street, Pittsburg, PA | |
10/26/2025 | Saratoga Springs, NY | Dusty connected with lung cancer survivor Amy Lynn & advocates | |
10/27/2025 | Augusta, ME | Lunch with Jill Sinclair Smith and Debbie Violette | |
10/28/2025 | Boston, MA | Upstage Lung Cancer Concert 7:30 pm - Quintessential Quincy Jones 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA https://upstagelungcancer.org/performances/ | |
10/29/2025 | Boston, MA | Dusty visits Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, MD, his team and ALCSI at Mass General Hospital | |
10/31/2025 | New York, NY | Dusty connects with the ALCSI chapter at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx | |
11/03/2025 | Washington, DC | Dusty meets with Members of Congress | |
11/03/2025 | Washington, DC | Interview with AstraZeneca | |
11/03/2025 | Washington, DC | National Press Conference Monday, November 3, 2:00 PM | |
11/04/2025 | Harrisonburg, VA | Lung Cancer Community Luncheon, 12:00 Capital Ale House, 41 Court Square, Harrisonburg | |
11/05/2025 | High Point, NC | ||
11/06/2025 | Charlotte, NC | Journey Concludes at LiveLung Survivorship Summit The Ballantyne Hotel 1000 Ballantyne Pkwy, Charlotte, NC |
Fuel the Journey
Behind the Scenes
Peek inside the Skan Van—Dusty’s mobile hub for advocacy, awareness, and connection. Wrapped with purpose and packed with educational materials, this van is driving a message of hope, survivorship, and progress to lung cancer communities across the country.
