LifeLung

What LifeLung does

LifeLung is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2022 by Kellie Thomas and Darrelyn Smith, both of whom lost a loved one to lung cancer on the 22nd day of a month, in honor of their mothers and fathers (Donna Patricia Thomas Harper and Darrell Eugene Smith). The organization's mission is to raise lung disease and lung health awareness through education, research, prevention, and direct support to patients and families. Its primary audiences are individuals currently diagnosed with lung cancer or lung disease, at-risk individuals, and the families and caregivers of those affected — segmented horizontally across all lung-disease touchpoints rather than by a specific disease subtype. The organization delivers programs through an annual flagship fundraising walk (the LifeLung Walk, now in its 4th year), recurring 'Just Breathe' guided meditation events hosted at Current Meditation, a 'My LifeLung Journey' video storytelling platform, a 'We HONOR...' memorial program, financial assistance (parking passes, oxygen tanks, temporary family visit housing), and weekly community/emotional support calls. A referral pipeline routes medical questions to the American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine.

LifeLung has no proprietary technology platform. Its infrastructure is standard off-the-shelf: a Squarespace website (lifelung.org) hosting content, donation flows via PayPal, merchandise storefront, event registration through Google Forms and event.com, and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X under @LifeLungWalk). The organization relies on volunteer networks, word-of-mouth, healthcare-provider referrals, and an unpaid internship program for capacity. There are no patents, no AI/ML capabilities, no APIs, and no third-party technology integrations.

Revenue is generated through three streams: tax-deductible individual donations (the largest stream by mission design), tiered corporate sponsorships (Supporting $500 / Sustaining $1,500 / Leading $3,000), and branded merchandise sales (magnets $6, mugs $12, t-shirts $28, sweatshirts $48). The 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk raised over $14,000 from 200+ participants, representing the largest disclosed single inflow. Institutional backing from the City of Houston / Mayor's Office, Harris County Public Health, the American Lung Association, Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church, and corporate sponsors (Frito Lay, Cadence Taylor Beauty) provides both funding and credibility. The organization operates with 1–10 employees, is geographically concentrated in Houston / Harris County, Texas, and shows no indications of expansion beyond the regional market.

Name

LifeLung

Legal name

LifeLung 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Website

https://lifelung.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LifeLung is a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports individuals and families affected by lung cancer and lung disease through financial assistance, emotional support, education, and community events, primarily the annual LifeLung Walk and recurring meditation sessions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lung Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Meditation Retreats, Workshops & Immersive Programs (HSADAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mindfulness-Based Coaching & Training (MBSR/MBCT-style) (HSADAJAB), Guided Meditation Instruction (1:1 & Group) (HSADAJAA)

Keywords

• Lung health awareness
• Lung disease support
• Community health advocacy
• Patient financial assistance
• Nonprofit fundraising events

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: LifeLung generates revenue primarily through tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations fund lung disease research, lung health education, awareness programs, and direct financial assistance to individuals and families affected by lung disease.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization sells branded merchandise including sweatshirts ($48), t-shirts ($28), coffee mugs ($12), and magnets ($6) through its online store. Proceeds support the organization's mission and programs.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: LifeLung offers three tiers of corporate sponsorship: Leading Sponsor ($3,000), Sustaining Sponsor ($1,500), and Supporting Sponsor ($500). Sponsors receive recognition at events, on website, social media, and on event materials including t-shirts and banners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LifeLung is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides lung health awareness, education, and support programs for individuals and families affected by lung cancer and lung disease. Its core offerings include direct financial assistance (parking passes, oxygen tanks, temporary housing), community-based emotional support (weekly phone calls, listening ear), the Annual LifeLung Walk fundraising event, the "Just Breathe" guided meditation program, the "My LifeLung Journey" storytelling platform, and a branded merchandise store.

Product overview

LifeLung is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on lung disease and lung health awareness through education, research, prevention, and support. The organization operates as a single unified nonprofit entity offering multiple programs and merchandise. Core programs include the annual LifeLung Walk fundraising event, the Just Breathe guided meditation program, My LifeLung Journey video storytelling platform, Financial Assistance services, and Community Support initiatives. The organization also operates a merchandise store (LungLife Merch) selling branded apparel and items including sweatshirts ($48), t-shirts ($28), coffee mugs ($12), and magnets ($6). An unpaid internship program provides experience in nonprofit management for students and recent graduates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LifeLung Logo Sweatshirt Adult Crewneck Heavy Blend sweatshirt branded with the LifeLung logo (black crewnecks include logo with name). Sold at $48.00 to support the organization's lung health programs.
• LifeLung Logo T-Shirt LifeLung branded t-shirt available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes in multiple colors. Sold at $28.00 to support the organization's lung health programs.
• LifeLung Coffee Mug LifeLung branded coffee mug available in Black or White. Sold at $12.00 to support the organization's lung health programs.
• LifeLung Logo Magnet LifeLung branded logo magnet. Sold at $6.00 to support the organization's lung health programs.
• LifeLung Walk Annual fundraising and awareness walk event for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer or lung disease, at-risk individuals, families, and community supporters. The event raises funds and awareness for lung health initiatives; the 2nd Annual Walk raised over $14,000 and brought together over 200 participants who collectively walked over 150 miles.
• Just Breathe Donation-based guided meditation experience hosted at Current Meditation in Houston, designed to help participants reset, restore, and breathe deeply. Features harmonic sound therapy, aerial restoration techniques, neuroscience-based mindfulness, and guided meditation.
• My LifeLung Journey Video submission program inviting individuals who have or had lung disease to share their personal stories as part of LifeLung's awareness and community-building efforts.
• Financial Assistance Program Direct financial assistance program for individuals and families struggling with medical expenses due to lung disease treatments. Includes parking passes, oxygen tanks, and temporary family visit housing to ease the financial burden during treatment.
• Community Support Program Emotional and community support services for individuals and families affected by lung cancer and lung disease, including weekly phone calls, listening ear support, and peer connections.
• LifeLung Internship Program Unpaid internship program offering hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, community outreach, event planning, volunteer services, and marketing for undergraduate/graduate students or recent graduates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $14,000 raised at single annual walk event

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and moderate.

• Cadence Taylor BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk. Provided financial support for the event enabling the organization to raise over $14,000 and bring together over 200 participants.
• Frito LayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk. Contributed to making the event possible through generous contributions and support.
• Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk. Provided support to enable the community event.
• City of Houston and Mayor's OfficemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial sponsor and supporter of 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk through the Mayor's Office and City of Houston. Provided city-level recognition and institutional support for lung health awareness initiatives.
• Air Alliance Non-profitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor partner at 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk, providing lung health related information and resources to attendees.
• Current MeditationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for 'Just Breathe' guided meditation events. Located at 5186 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77005. Provides space for donation-based wellness events.
• Harris County Public Health - Community Health and Wellness DivisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor and community partner at 2nd Annual LifeLung Walk, providing health and wellness resources to community members.
• American Lung AssociationmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeLung refers beneficiaries to American Lung Association's Lung HelpLine (1-800-LUNGUSA) staffed with licensed registered nurses, respiratory therapists, and certified tobacco treatment specialists. Provides free medical equipment, health insurance, and specialist referrals.
• ShoutOut HTXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHouston-focused media outlet that featured an interview with founders Darrelyn Smith and Kellie Thomas, providing earned media coverage for the organization.
• VoyageHoustonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal media platform that featured an interview with founders Kellie Thomas and Darrelyn Smith, sharing their story and organizational mission with the Houston community.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LUNGevity Foundation: National nonprofit focused specifically on lung cancer awareness, research funding, and patient/family support. Directly comparable to LifeLung's lung cancer patient and family support mission, with similar programmatic pillars (education, financial navigation, community) but at far greater scale.
• CancerCare: National nonprofit providing free, professional support services for people affected by cancer, including financial assistance, counseling, and community programs. Closely comparable to LifeLung's combined financial assistance, emotional support, and community service model.
• Lung Cancer Foundation of America: Nonprofit dedicated to improving lung cancer survival through research and awareness. Closely aligned with LifeLung's awareness, research-support, and patient-advocacy mission, differentiated mainly by national scope versus LifeLung's Houston-centric focus.
• Free to Breathe: Lung cancer nonprofit that historically combined community events (walks/runs) with research funding and patient support. Closely comparable to LifeLung's walk-based fundraising model tied to lung cancer awareness and research support.
• GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer: Lung cancer-focused nonprofit combining research, early detection, and patient support services. Shares LifeLung's mission of supporting diagnosed individuals and families through community and education, with a comparable programmatic mix at national scale.
• Lung Cancer Research Foundation: Nonprofit funding lung cancer research and providing patient education resources. Comparable to LifeLung's research-funding and education pillars, with a national scope versus LifeLung's local community focus.
• Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation: Patient-founded lung cancer nonprofit emphasizing community, education, and research funding. Comparable to LifeLung in being founded by individuals personally affected by lung cancer, with a similar blend of patient support and awareness programming.

Regional players

• Air Alliance Houston: Houston-based nonprofit focused on air quality and respiratory health. Existing LifeLung partner at the Annual Walk; operates in the same Houston respiratory-health ecosystem with overlapping lung-health constituencies.

Broad incumbents

• American Lung Association: The largest U.S. nonprofit dedicated to lung health, with national research, advocacy, and a 1-800-LUNGUSA help-line. LifeLung refers beneficiaries to the ALA and operates in the same disease and lung health awareness category, but ALA's scale, budget, and national programs far exceed LifeLung's local footprint.
• American Cancer Society: Largest U.S. cancer nonprofit, with broad scope across all cancer types including lung. LifeLung's lung-cancer-specific awareness and patient support overlap with ACS's mission, though ACS operates at vastly larger scale and across many disease categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lifelung22

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LifeLung