Local Woman Speaks Out After Family is Devastated by Lung Cancer

Rian Valentine’s family has been devastated by lung cancer. Her grandfather and great grandfather died of lung cancer, and just five years ago, her father died from the same disease. To help raise awareness, Valentine is sharing her story for Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

“Lung Cancer surrounds my whole friends and family group,” she said. “I want to raise awareness because we have such a lack of education about lung cancer, as well as about the dangers of smoking and vaping.”

Before his diagnosis, Valentine’s dad went into the hospital complaining of back pain. After a week, he was diagnosed with inoperable stage IV lung cancer. Within just five days of the diagnosis, her father died from the disease.

“People don’t understand what it is like to see someone suffer from lung cancer -- how devastating and painful it is,” Valentine said.

Because of her family’s history with lung cancer, as well as her own experience with asthma, she became involved with the American Lung Association. In the last several years, she has testified on behalf of important laws like Tobacco 21, joined the Lung Association Local Leadership Board, and recently, she is working to educate teens on the dangers of e-cigarette and tobacco use.

“My goals is to get the next generation involved so we can fight vaping and I will continuing to press the message to stop smoking,” she said. “We also must have CT scan lung cancer screenings available for everyone at risk and all businesses should test for radon. This is my mission and my passion.”

Valentine is also an ambassador for the Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb at Rhodes Tower. For the last three years, she has been the master of ceremonies for the event as well as climbed, which is challenging because of her asthma.

“Me and my trusty inhaler made it all the way to the top,” she said about last year’s event.

This year, she hopes to raise $4,000 for the American Lung Association through the Fight For Air Climb, which is happening on February 15, 2020.

To learn more about the Fight For Air Climb, visit FightForAirClimb.org/Columbus.