Join Team Cornbrooks to advance ALK+ lung cancer treatments

My Story 

My name is David Cornbrooks. I live in Arlington, VA with my loving wife, my college sweetheart, and 2 adorable and energetic kids, Ethan (6) and Liv (3). After experiencing a sharp pain in my chest and undergoing countless appointments, blood draws, scans, and two biopsies, I was diagnosed with advanced ALK+ lung cancer at 38 years old. I am a former Division 1 athlete and I have never smoked a cigarette in my entire life. 

Lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer deaths by far, receives a disproportionately low share of funding.  Lung cancer is not just for smokers.  ALK-positive lung cancer patients tend to be younger than the average lung cancer patient and tend to have a no smoking history.

ALK+ Research

I am currently benefiting from a drug approved as a first-line treatment for ALK+ cancer only a few years ago. There are clinical trials in development and underway that have the potential to add years to the lives of ALK+ patients like me. More research = more life.

My oncologist, Dr. Vincent Lam at The Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore, MD (my hometown), specializes in ALK+ specifically. Through his research, Dr. Lam aims to turn advanced ALK+ lung cancer into a chronic or curable condition. He is particularly focused on investigating why currently available immunotherapies don’t work well for ALK+ lung cancer and developing novel immunotherapies that can better target ALK (e.g. vaccines).

#SweatForBreath

In addition to being diagnosed one year ago on November 3, November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month. To advance ALK+ lung cancer treatments and raise awareness about this disease, we ask you to:

1. Donate!! All funds will go towards Dr. Lam’s research
   
   
2. Sweat!! Complete a 30-minute walk/run/ride (connect with me on Peloton @DavidCornbrooks)!
   
   
3. Share!  We encourage you to post a picture of you doing your activity on social media or simply share the donation link with friends and family. Here’s some language to consider for Instagram, Facebook, and/or LinkedIn:

I am [riding/running/walking] to #SweatForBreath for my friend @DavidCornbrooks who was diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer at the age of 38.  He’s never smoked a cigarette in his life!  He currently benefits from a drug approved as a first-line treatment only a few years ago. There is research for new treatments underway that have the potential to add years to the lives of ALK+ patients like him. More research = more life. Donate here https://aspire.hopkinsmedicine.org/davidcornbrooks #LungCancerAwarenessMonth #LCAM