The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative Podcast

Ask an Advocate Mini-Series: Jack Owens on Biking Across the U.S. for Lung Cancer (Part 2 of 2)

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/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUhuUG5UNzZOVTlIWDlLSVYxYWlsNHY3WmRqd3xBQ3Jtc0tsNU1jOXpPS0M5cDlwaWNlS0tiMDdWOUNYZUVrNHFwNDBwd2VEdTVwXzM3Y1VrX1JiQ05iWFhqWWIwUW9jMkRiWnE0cmZfTTAwc1hXanlDenVsRmo5WUJOc3E1VXNlUG5RblJsVTVYZHB5NnlIUENHbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alcsi.org%2F&v=HbrPecK7lMY] for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening. Email: info@alcsi.org Twitter: @AmLungCSI Instagram: @amlungcsi

Ask an Advocate Mini-Series: John Matthews on his Nonprofit: Ride Hard Breathe Easy (Part 1 of 2)

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: info@alcsi.org Twitter: @AmLungCSI Instagram: @amlungcsi

ALCSI Podcast: Dr. Aurora Lucas

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: info@alcsi.org Twitter: @AmLungCSI Instagram: @amlungcsi

ALCSI Podcast: Dr. Sora Ely

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: info@alcsi.orgTwitter: @AmLungCSIInstagram: @amlungcsi

ALCSI Podcast: Hannah Safron

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/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbTZBYmtnVk9ORENTXzdMSEVvYzJ3cUFUNTlDd3xBQ3Jtc0tudTBpZHhnVEJhdjNVaUhiMkJQUE1yZ2tKUXB2REYycU5pRDlPaEVzUkx3ZzJjNHNiMUJnX0ZfV1RST2hjSmlBWmNnQVExcmVHZndoeWxCVHJzLVdrSUxsSExGWDI1LTMyTkVXZUhWcWxnbG55TDJoRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alcsi.org%2F&v=g3Q-C7X91bg] for free educational resources and webinars on lung cancer and lung cancer screening.Email: info@alcsi.orgTwitter: @AmLungCSIInstagram: @amlungcsi