This past Friday morning, I boarded a plane and flew to Washington DC for the LUNGevity Foundations’s Hope Summit, a weekend conference of lung cancer survivors. It was an amazing and inspiring event, probably the largest gathering of lung cancer survivors ever, with close to 60 of us in attendance.

I had met some of them at last year’s Hope Summit. Some of them I knew from the Lung Cancer Support Community online forum, and some of them I was meeting for the first time. LUNGevity had given me a travel grant and free room, and that enabled me to go again.

The Saturday and Sunday event sessions were held in the Capital View Ballroom on the top floor of the Key Bridge Mariott, which is where we stayed. It offers a spectacular view of DC and the Potomac River. There were speakers and panel discussions. Among Saturday’s speakers was Zachary Klint, who gave a speech on pulmonary rehabilitation. This topic was especially interesting for me. I think it’s an under-used tool for lung cancer survivors. I think I’m living proof of what is possible with surgery depleted lungs, if you aren’t afraid to tackle serious aerobic workouts, and that more doctors should prescribe pulmonary rehab for their patients.

Teri Simon was supposed to moderate the first panel, covering the topics of emotional effects of lung cancer, the stigma, scanxiety, and living with lung cancer. But, she was in the hospital and unable to attend, always a risk when a speaker is a lung cancer patient, I guess. Eric Byrne from Scotland, an LCSC forum member I really enjoyed meeting, filled in for her. Mel Majoros of Empower Radio moderated an afternoon panel on advocacy.

Sunday morning’s keynote speaker was author and speaker Doctor Lynne Eldridge. I sat on the last panel, on healthy living and exercise. I’m more of a doer than speaker, but always enjoy sharing my story in this kind of setting. If there’s anyone who needs reminding that an athletic, full life is possible after cancer, it’s lung cancer survivors.

I talked so much over the weekend that I was hoarse by the time I flew back home on Sunday evening. You just can’t imagine how enjoyable and inspiring it is to do that much mixing with other survivors until you do it, and hear their stories. Big thanks to Katie Brown, who hosted the event, and all the LUNGevity people and sponsors.