Meet May, a self-described “mom, wife, warrior” and lung cancer survivor-advocate from Greater Houston, Texas. 

Though she didn’t realize it at the time, May’s symptoms were first evident when she was pregnant with her daughter, Mia, who is now almost 4. May had a chronic cough throughout her pregnancy, but she and her doctors weren’t overly concerned since May was otherwise healthy and had no risk factors for cancer. Once Mia started daycare, May’s cough returned and eventually she started experiencing back pain, which led her to seek additional medical attention. 

May received a shocking diagnosis of stage 2b non-small cell lung cancer in May 2022. She has remained hopeful throughout treatment, which has included chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. Comprehensive biomarker testing revealed that May has KRAS G12V. She learned that bone and brain metastases are common, so when she started feeling soreness in her leg, she knew to ask her doctor for a bone scan. The scan showed that the cancer had metastasized to her femur, and she underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy. “My hope is that, regardless of how many progressions or setbacks I have, there’s going to be a means to treat it,” says May. 

Despite living with uncertainty, May has found peace, joy, and gratitude through her family, Christian faith, medical team, and community of cancer survivors. “Every day is a new day,” says May. “Knowing that I have my family and friends to support me and surround me with love, I live life to the fullest.” Even through recurrences, May says her faith has not been shaken. She enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, going on vacations with her family, and trying to maintain as normal a life as possible. 

May advocates with her daughter, Mia, in mind. May’s strongest motivation comes from a deep desire to see Mia grow up and to increase quality of life and survivorship for current and future lung cancer patients. May recognizes the importance and urgency of research advocacy. “The advances from scientific research are nothing short of amazing,” she says. “I, and others like me, need the research breakthroughs to continue.” May has also met with her members of Congress on Capitol Hill to urge them to support increases in federal funding for lifesaving lung cancer research. 

May takes every opportunity she can to raise awareness about lung health and lung cancer and to counter harmful stigmas. May says that even close friends and family have told her, “You don’t look like you have cancer.” But she reminds them that even though it might not be obvious from the outside, living with lung cancer is a daily battle of mental fortitude.  

May says it’s important for her to keep her mind where her feet are, firmly planted in the present. Her advice for new advocates is, “Understand that at the end of the day, it’s about your health. If it becomes overwhelming, it’s no longer helpful. It’s OK to walk away or take breaks. When it’s the right time to come back, the community will welcome you back. Sometimes I step away because I’m dealing with my own stuff. People feel obligated to stretch themselves too thin, but that’s not as effective.”