The African proverb that “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” carries such truth for accomplishing any sort of resolutions. Thus, as I regularly tell my clients, “Together, everyone achieves more” is a powerful acronym for TEAM, which is often shared to encourage delegating more but works equally well from the scenario of engaging team members in decision-making, implementation and making greater progress than any one individual can toward accomplishing a big, hairy, audacious goal.

An excellent example of how partnerships fuel more potent results would be my volunteering with Lung Cancer Initiative. Whether it has been the Fundraising Development Committee that I chaired to create our development plan, the partnerships implemented by the organization in creating new events or the Triad LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk and Celebration committee with which I engaged for 15 years, better decisions are made and results are amplified by bringing together a diverse group committed to a shared vision of influencing an effect, change or specific outcome.

Back on Thursday, March 9th, at Lung Cancer Initiative’s annual update and awards celebration, I was recognized for “outstanding leadership and incredible impact as the chair of the Triad LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk & Celebration for 13 years”. There is absolutely no way that we could’ve achieved such incredible results in raising funding along with awareness for Lung Cancer Initiative’s mission “to advance survivorship and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, education and access programs” without the amazing individuals on this committee coming together and supporting one another. Here are some of the reflections from committee members on our time together, the impact made and our experiences:

What do I mean by results being amplified? Over the 13 years during which I chaired this committee, the Triad LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk and Celebration event alone was able to raise $1,843,504 for Lung Cancer Initiative’s research, education and access programs, which is far more than could ever be accomplished without partnering with devoted committee members, engaged businesses sponsoring our efforts and an enthusiastic community of advocates who have been touched by this disease, joining together in changing the scary statistics related to lung cancer survivorship.

After losing my father to lung cancer in 2010, I became a passionate advocate seeking to raise awareness and further education about the disease through work with Lung Cancer Initiative. It is imperative that we fund research for earlier diagnoses, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for the leading cancer-killer of American women and men; however, none of those research advancements matter unless the general public is educated about their existence as well as what questions to ask for taking advantage of those medical advancements. I continue to advance Lung Cancer Initiative’s mission as the Board of Directors’ Secretary and the new chair of LCI’s Marketing Committee, but there is no doubt that our success rests heavily on the partnerships implemented in all aspects of this organization.

Thank you to Melanee Bennett, Shannon Brady, Heather Hooper, Mary Ingram, Jenner Lee, Kelli Liles, Becky Neighbours, Scott Riddle, Gwen Sellers and Susan Smith for your kind and meaningful words about our partnerships during the presentation of this 2022 Leadership Award. It’s been truly such happiness and an absolute honor to serve alongside each of you as we help those touched by lung cancer live longer, better lives.

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Passionate About Partnerships!