Local man who never smokes raises awareness of lung cancer after diagnosis | News

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) – November is lung cancer awareness month. As the month comes to a close, a local man is working to raise awareness and change awareness in Kansas City.

Don Gallagher is battling stage 3b lung cancer which has slowly gone viral. He is also a loving grandfather and husband who grew up on a farm and lives a healthy and active lifestyle. In fact, you could call him the epitome of health. He eats plants and even runs a vegan Instagram account called “Grandpa Cooks Vegan”.

“It was just a big surprise because up to that point I was still a pretty healthy guy,” Gallagher explained when talking about his diagnosis.

When he got sick in 2019, it was a complete shock. What he thought was a persistent cough caused by an infection, turned out to be cancer. “I have never associated it with lung cancer, because I believe lung cancer is something you get after smoking, and I have never smoked.

Dr. Ran Subramanian was Gallagher’s physician at Saint Luke’s Hospital. He explained to KCTV5, “Lung cancer is the biggest killer when it comes to cancer for both men and women. There’s a stigma attached to it that automatically comes up… that they have to be a smoker and that’s not always the case.:

In fact, 10-15% of patients in the US, like Gallagher, have never smoked a cigarette in their lives. Each time heard from 20,000 to 30,000 patients. Most lung cancer patients who used to smoke quit 10 to 20 years ago.

This is a reminder that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, says Gallagher. He attributed his cancer to radon exposure while growing up on a farm in Iowa. He told KCTV5: “Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

Since being diagnosed, he has started another Instagram account. He calls this “Grandfather cured of lung cancer”.

He is using the platform to raise awareness with the white ribbon project. A national movement to inform others about lung cancer. He emphasizes the importance of being your own advocate.

After the diagnosis, Gallagher and his wife Linda quickly worked to find clinical trials.

Together with Saint Luke’s Hospital, Gallagher started a new drug six months before it was approved by the FDA. “Honestly, my wife and I agree it saved my life,” he said.

Gallagher’s doctor echoed that thought, “We might not have six months to wait.”

Dr. Subramanian explains that determination is also saving others in the subway. “Don’s effort to make this happen, his last word, has also helped others. There was a patient who was able to receive this substance even before they could not receive it. Dr. Subramanian said.

Gallagher credits Dr. Subramanian, his radiation oncologist, Dr. Rakhra, as well as his family and community for helping him fight this terrible disease.

Dr Subramanian added that early detection is key. If you have a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss, talk to your doctor.

Don also tells people to go to their homes to have them tested for radon.

Don’s Instagram account can be found here:

Grandpa Cooks Vegan

Grandpa Slams Lung Cancer

For more information on the White Ribbon Project, click here.

For more information about the Saint Luke’s Precision Cancer program that Don is using to fight Lung Cancer, click here.