Written by Colleen Sturdivant
Many in this community are likely familiar with Bonnie Addario and her positive impact on the lung cancer community. But many of you may not know that Bonnie was an early supporter of the EFGR Resisters.
I became aware of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (now GO2) at my sister Teri’s first lung cancer oncology consultation at UC Davis in 2015. Bonnie’s foundation connected Teri with multiple care teams, vital education, and community support during the scary and confusing time of initial diagnosis and beyond. In addition, it was instrumental in connecting Teri to Anita, another patient with EGFR lung cancer, that eventually led to meeting Ildi, Ivy, Allen, and Jill. And the idea to form the EGFR Resisters was born with all of them becoming co-founders!
The EGFR Resisters funded our first research project with Bonnie’s foundation, a vital step in laying the groundwork for what is now a non-profit organization. Bonnie understood that many were better than one, that each lung cancer diagnosis is as unique as each person diagnosed, and that together we could focus on our strengths and unique perspectives in order to change the future of lung cancer research and outcomes.
Many tributes to Bonnie have come out and they all speak volumes about who Bonnie was. The “Resisters” want to simply say thank you for her vision, her passion, her hugs, her caring ear, and her incredible devotion to each person she touched in this community. Breathe easy Bonnie, we will carry on with the strength in purpose you demonstrated by believing in us.
