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Background

Bernie was diagnosed with terminal lung adenocarcinoma with RET fusion at the young age of 46 with no other risk factors or known causes. RET fusion is a rare form of lung cancer. The mission of The Happy Lungs Project is to save the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients by advancing research and treatment options. Bernie was excited to participate in a RET specific clinical trial after conventional treatments failed this aggressive cancer. He was scheduled to begin the week he passed on, so we hold this charity close to our hearts in hopes they find a cure soon and countless others can thrive. Happy Lungs has also secured 100% matching up to $25,000 in his honor. Just be sure to dedicate your donation to Bernie.

Young Lung is another charity near and dear. So many young people are being diagnosed daily with specific additional challenges.

We partnered with Lungevity for a fundraiser back in October 2024 and they are wonderful to work with.
Contribute to Young Lung Cancer Initiative Right arrow Contribute to LUNGevity Foundation Right arrow Contribute to The Happy Lungs Project Right arrow
All contributions made to LUNGevity Foundation through Ever Loved will be sent with the designation, “Wherever it is needed most”, at Kari Dennison's request.

About LUNGevity Foundation

We are dedicated to funding scientific research because the link between research spending and improved survival is clear. Our strategic investment in both early detection and therapeutics will help people live better with lung cancer and dramatically improve on the current 19% five-year survival rate.

LUNGevity initiatives position us as thought leaders in the lung cancer advocacy community, providing programs and driving change for those with lung cancer today and in the future. While we fund primary research, we also conduct patient-focused research to better understand their unmet needs and convene multi-stakeholder meetings to streamline the research process and accelerate progress to patients.

LUNGevity seeks to empower patients to be active decision makers in their treatment process through our extensive educational resources, online peer-to-peer support, and in-person survivorship programs.

Recent contributions to LUNGevity Foundation

Anonymous
$500.00
Gave to LUNGevity Foundation in memory of Bernie
April 1, 2025, 3:59 p.m. PDT
Bethany
$50.00
Gave to LUNGevity Foundation in memory of Bernie
Submitted by Matthew Roberts on March 5, 2025, 9:44 a.m. PST
Anonymous
$25.00
Gave to LUNGevity Foundation in memory of Bernie
Feb. 24, 2025, 10:55 a.m. PST
Anonymous
$200.00
Gave to LUNGevity Foundation in memory of Bernie
Feb. 23, 2025, 8:53 a.m. PST

About The Happy Lungs Project

The Happy Lungs Project’s mission is to save the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients by advancing research and treatment options. The Happy Lungs Project is working to advance scientific research so more RET-positive lung cancer patients can live fuller, healthier lives. We fund and facilitate cancer research, connect families with expert doctors, and educate and empower patients. Since our inception in 2021, The Happy Lungs Project has awarded more than $1 million in RET-positive cancer research grants. We also educate patients and caregivers across the country about how participating in clinical trials and biomarker testing can improve RET-positive treatment options and patient survival.

Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at The Happy Lungs Project

  • What is your mission?

    The Happy Lungs Project’s mission is to save the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients by advancing research and treatment options.

  • How are donations used?

    100% of donations are used to fund our mission of advancing RET positive non small-cell research with the goal of finding dependable treatments to keep those currently living with RET positive lung cancer alive!

  • What can be done with a $100 donation?

    A $100 donation, like all donations, will be used in its entirety to fund RET positive non small-cell lung cancer research.

  • What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

    Scientists who are RET lung cancer experts from institutions across the country were brought together to set an agenda for clinically relevant, urgent research. Resulting projects have accomplished the following:
    1. RET positive cell lines have been grown in the laboratory and shared with the RET research community to facilitate drug discovery;
    2. Laboratory testing of various RET mutations has revealed combination medications that work against specific genetic subtypes;
    3. Scientists have discovered targetable proteins on the surface of RET cancer cells that may be used for immune therapy - testing is ongoing;
    4. A RET registry has been created that has uncovered the mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance.

  • What is the history of your organization?

    The Happy Lungs Project was started by Ilana Stromberg's family following her RET positive non small-cell diagnosis, and later metastasis, in order to find dependable treatments to keep her and so many other "healthy" patients alive.

Recent contributions to The Happy Lungs Project

Anonymous
$100.00
Gave to The Happy Lungs Project in memory of Bernie
March 26, 2025, 8:32 a.m. PDT
Gave to The Happy Lungs Project in memory of Bernie
Feb. 21, 2025, 5:37 p.m. PST
$50.00
Gave to The Happy Lungs Project in memory of Bernie
Feb. 21, 2025, 4:25 p.m. PST
$100.00
Gave to The Happy Lungs Project in memory of Bernie
Feb. 21, 2025, 4:20 p.m. PST

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Cmdr. Charles "Bernie" Dennison Jr.