Overview

The "Breath of Hope" Gala was initiated by Sandy and Mark Lomeo after Mark was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2014. They were surprised to discover the lack of funding for lung cancer as compared to many other types of cancer. They decided to raise money by having a dinner gala. They formed a steering committee (created by Annie Cacciato) to advance their cause. Fundraising efforts from the event support “Blue Beautiful Skies” Fund to directly benefit the Thoracic Oncology Department at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) for awareness, research, new treatments, and hopefully a cure. Presently, lung cancer has a dismal survival rate. It kills more people per year than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined. In fact, lung cancer kills twice as many women as breast cancer. Given the poor survival rates of lung cancer, your help is needed.