Cancer is a tragic reality for almost all of us. Either we have experienced it ourselves, or we’ve had a loved one go through it. For many of us, we’ve lost a loved one to that battle. Jenny Banner is no different. After losing her mother to lung cancer, she decided to do something to make the battle a little easier for those going through it. Thus was born the Oklahoma Lung Cancer Initiative.
When we think of cancer, we think of chemo and radiation and endless trips to the hospital. What we don’t think of is being unable to cook meals, do laundry, go to the grocery store. But being unable to accomplish these tasks is as much a reality for cancer patients as the treatment. Oklahoma Lung Cancer Initiative was created to fill that gap for patients who can’t do it for themselves while undergoing treatment.
But there is so much more to this organization. Listen in and hear Jenny’s story and learn more about this amazing organization and what they do and what their future plans are. This is a story of a few people who each experienced a traumatic loss, and by banding together, they are determined to make a difference in this world for others going through a similar trial.
Podcast Episode Summary
- What does the Oklahoma Lung Cancer Initiative do?
- What is her why for starting this nonprofit? It’s very personal.
- Why doesn’t lung cancer get the concern and research money that breast cancer gets?
- What are the goals of OLCI over the next five years?
- Current guidelines for lung cancer screening
- Her mom’s lung cancer story
- BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE! If something is wrong and not getting better, don’t let medical professionals blow you off!
- Did you know Oklahoma City has a cancer treatment center?!?! I didn’t know either.
- But then she also has her own business -- For Purpose Events. What is it and what’s her why?
- The pandemic almost killed her brand-new business, but she managed to pull through!
- Virtual events vs. In-person events
- The pandemic affected nonprofits too.
- For Purpose Events is creating a philanthropic arm of their business for startup nonprofits.
- She’s also partnering with Bricktown water taxis for special events.
Recommended Resources
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation website
Stephenson Cancer Center
CoWorking at Our Place
Contact Info
Website: OklahomaLungCancer.org
Facebook: @oklahomalungcancerinitiative
Website: ForPurposeEvents.org
Facebook: @forpurposeevents
