“Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Campaign
Click Here for Info on Professor Bev Crawford’s Tri for Jill Triathlon
Think You Know Lung Cancer? Think Again!
Many people think they know what Lung Cancer is – who gets it – and who doesn’t. Throw everything you think out the window. Time. For. A. Major. Update. Actually, way beyond time.
This is 22 year-old Jill Costello. This is the NEW face of Lung Cancer.
That’s right, Lung Cancer doesn’t care how old you are, whether you’ve ever smoked or not. Just like Jill, ANYONE can get Lung Cancer. ANYONE!
Jill’s diagnosis isn’t a fluke and her story, unfortunately, isn’t one we had to dig deep to find. In fact, 60% of new Lung Cancer patients have never smoked (Just like Jill) or are former smokers who quit decades ago. Lung Cancer is no longer just a smoker’s disease. It is now “equal opp.”
So, how can it be that the nation’s the #1 cancer killer of both men and women is still the LEAST funded of the four major cancers? How can it be that Lung Cancer’s 5-year survival rate has remained unchanged for more than 40 years—at only 15.5%?
We can no longer ignore Lung Cancer or use the myth of smoking to blame. We have an epidemic on our hands that needs to take center stage on the global cancer agenda. This is exactly what Jill Costello wants to do, by graciously sharing her Lung Cancer journey and lending her name to this campaign for change.
"Jack" and Jill
Jill was diagnosed with stage IV Lung Cancer at the age of 21. She has never smoked. Jill recently graduated from UC Berkeley, where she was coxswain on Cal’s Women’s (rowing) Crew, and despite 20+ rounds of chemo and 14 radiation treatments, she coxed the Cal Bears to a second place slot at the NCAA Women’s Division I Rowing Championships.
Not only does Jill never give up. She never stops smiling.
The “Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Research Campaign will offer a rare glimpse into the lives of those with Lung Cancer—showing what the disease truly is—and what it isn’t . You will get to know Jill very well, and many others just like her. You will fall in love with all of them. Your heart will break many times. You will be forever inspired by their strength and courage. You will be shocked. You will be outraged. You will better understand. You will want change…just like Jill does.
“Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Research Campaign from James Hall on Vimeo.
Please donate for Lung Cancer research today!
We cannot thank artist Matisyahu, his manager Jason Rogoff and Arjun Pulijal of Sony Music Entertainment enough for granting us full permission of the beautiful song, “One Day,” in this video and for supporting the fight against lung cancer. “One Day” is Jill’s favorite song. Thanks a million!
We make sure to provide you the best options for how to survive lung cancer. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung cancer, then this would be the right place for treatment of lung cancer.
Jill,
You are truly amazing. I am here wishing you all the best and I am working, along with BJALCF to help find the cure.
God Bless you.
Much love and many, many hugs and prayers
Christine
I have stage IIIA lung cancer I was just diagnosed in March. I have went through 38 radiation treatments and 10 chemo with two large ones left in the month of July. Its been a hard journey mentally and physically. I am 41 years old with three children I ache for everyday.
The financing is impossible for me to comprehend and understand how lung cancer can be the number one killer but the least financed.
I wish Jill nothing but the best, what a inspiration she is and will remain for the fight against lung cancer. May God bless her and others who are fighting this awful disease.
What a remarkable young woman!…Jill I am praying and hoping that finally, through BJALCF and other groups dedicated to finding a cure, one will be found for this horrible disease. I too am amazed and incredibly frustrated to find out that although lung cancer is the #1 killer of all the cancers combined, it is the least funded. Jill, you are darling and watching this video has made me even more determined to help bring about funding for research to put an end to Lung Cancer. You keep fighting girl! Love and prayers to you and your family and friends.
Sincerely,
Rita Syracuse
hey there!
Jill! all the best for you… you are such a b rave and courageous woman…
my dad died of lung cancer so i really understand how it is.
i commend this group lungcancerfoundation.org and the BJALCF for being such an angel to those who needs help!
Jill,
You are such a blessing in every way and an all-star trooper. As you know, I too am a Lung Cancer recipient and know the LC drill all too well. It sucks in so many ways it’s unreal but there are blessings as well. Please continue to believe in miracles as God presents them to us all the time.
Jill: I have been following your story since hearing agbout it from my sister, Jennifer Cuneo, married to Brian Cuneo. My family and I have been praying for your journey. I am so encouraged by your strength and determination to find a cure for this disease. It’s such a misunderstanding that people assume that Lung cancer is caused by smoking. Kudos to you for lending your name and story to help create awareness and educate others. we are praying for you, Jill! I hope that through BJALCF, together, we can find a cure!
Hi there you have such the positive attitude about everything and let me tell you thats the way you will win this fight with this aweful disease. I just lost my father whose diagnosis started with lung cancer and then it was everywhere. His attitude was very positive at first and he was winning his fight and for some reason everything went south along with the positive attitude. Just don’t lose that no matter what and you will win. Thanks for the tears.
[...] Contact Info/Directions « “Just Like Jill” Lung Cancer Campaign [...]
Hi Jill,
My name is Stacey and I am a young adult thyroid cancer survivor. First of all, welcome to the club that no one wants to be a part of. I would love to speak more with you about your involvement with young adult survivors. After my treatment and diagnosis, I got very active with an organization called the I’m Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation. They are the nations leading grassroots campaign for young adult survivors. I live in LA, so if you are in the area, I would love to meet you and talk. If not, then over the phone would be our next bet.
Thanks so much, Jill!
Stacey
Hi Jill – my best friend was diagnosed with stageIV 2 years ago, and is also a vibrant and amazing person like yourself. Never give up, keep on showing everyone how to live, and we need to keep getting people involved and pushing for cures and funding for this and many many other unfair diseases. Keep on smiling that beautiful smile. thank you and all the people surrounding you for sharing your story.
[...] people think they know what Lung Cancer is – who gets it – and who doesn’t. Throw everything you think out the window. Time. For. A. [...]
Jill is an inspiration and I wish her much happieness. I am a lung cancer survivor of 7 yrs. At age 78 I have lived a good life and wish that Jill will live far longer than me.