Lung Cancer Initiative

What Lung Cancer Initiative does

Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its stated mission is to advance survivorship and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, education, and access programs. LCI serves three principal constituencies: lung cancer patients and survivors, healthcare professionals involved in lung cancer care, and donors and community supporters. As of 2024, the organization operates with eight full-time staff led by CEO Paige Humble, Chief Mission Delivery Officer Jenni Danai, Chief Advancement Officer Sandy Oehler, and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Neal Ready of Duke Cancer Institute. The organization previously operated as North Carolinians Against Lung Cancer (2006) and North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership (2008-2013) before gaining independent 501(c)(3) status and rebranding as Lung Cancer Initiative in 2013. In 2026, LCI expanded programs into South Carolina and launched the LCI Ambassador program, extending its geographic footprint beyond its historical North Carolina base.

LCI delivers a portfolio of programmatic offerings spanning patient support, survivor engagement, research funding, healthcare professional education, and community outreach. Patient-facing programs include the Patient Access to Care Gas Card Program (more than 1,700 gas cards distributed as of end of 2021), the Patient Emergency Fund (stipends to patients in hardship), and the Peer Mentor Program launched in 2022 that pairs survivors with newly diagnosed patients. Survivor engagement includes monthly virtual luncheons, in-person gatherings across NC cities, and an annual Survivor Wellness Retreat. Research funding programs include Young Investigator Grants, Career Development Awards, the Vicky Amidon Innovation in Lung Cancer Research Grant, and a health disparities research partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research established in 2016, with cumulative research funding exceeding $4 million since 2008. Community-facing programs include REACH Community Grants (up to $10,000 each to local organizations, totaling more than $230,000 to 19 organizations since 2016), the Screening Saves Program launched in 2024, and HeartMath-based resilience workshops. Annual signature events include the LUNGe Forward 5K Series (Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Greenville), the Evening of Hope Gala, the Fall Golf Classic, and the 14th Annual Impact Summit (August 2026).

Revenue is generated through a distributed nonprofit model: individual donations (one-time and recurring), corporate and foundation partnerships, and event-driven fundraising (5K series, gala, golf, summit). LCI does not publicly disclose annual revenue. The organization operates with strong institutional distribution via board representation from Duke Cancer Institute, UNC REX Healthcare, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute, East Carolina Heart Institute, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, and City of Hope. It has earned the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency and a Charity Navigator four-star rating, both in 2025, indicating strong governance and financial accountability.

Name

Lung Cancer Initiative

Legal name

Lung Cancer Initiative

Website

https://lungcancerinitiative.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lung Cancer Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that funds lung cancer research and delivers patient support, survivor engagement, and education programs to patients, survivors, and healthcare professionals across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit cancer support services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thoracic (Lung) Oncology (HLAKAFAL), Lung Cancer Screening & Pulmonary Nodule Clinic (HLAKANAI), Palliative Care, Hospice & Serious Illness Support (BPAGACAK), Public Health Communications, Risk Communication & Community Engagement (HLAJAMAH)

Keywords

• Lung cancer research funding
• Cancer patient support services
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Survivor wellness programs
• Healthcare professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute to support lung cancer research, education, and access programs through one-time and recurring donations.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from events including LUNGe Forward 5K runs in multiple cities, the Evening of Hope Gala, Fall Golf Classic, and other advocacy events.
3. REACH Community Grants: The organization awards grants up to $10,000 to community organizations improving access to lung cancer screening, treatment, and care for uninsured/underinsured individuals.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lung Cancer Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free programs supporting lung cancer patients, survivors, and healthcare professionals, including survivor engagement events, an annual Impact Summit, LUNGe Forward 5K fundraising series, wellness retreats, a peer mentor program, patient transportation (gas cards) and emergency funds, and healthcare professional education. The organization funds lung cancer research through grants and awards researchers and community organizations (such as REACH Community Grants up to $10,000) across North Carolina and South Carolina.

Product overview

Lung Cancer Initiative operates as a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of patient support, education, and research funding programs. The core offerings include Survivor Engagement Events (monthly virtual luncheons and in-person gatherings), the annual Impact Summit advocacy conference, LUNGe Forward 5K fundraising events, and Survivor Wellness Retreats. The organization provides direct patient assistance through the Patient Access to Care Gas Card Program and Patient Emergency Fund. Educational programs include Provider Education for healthcare professionals, Community Education sessions, and HeartMath stress management workshops. Research funding is supported through REACH Community Grants and research fellowship programs. These programs work together to advance survivorship, provide support, and connect patients with the medical and research community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Survivor Engagement Events Monthly virtual luncheons and in-person gatherings for lung cancer survivors that emphasize wellness and survivorship while providing a safe, supportive space to share stories and connect with peers.
• Lung Cancer Initiative Impact Summit Annual advocacy summit bringing together survivors, families, and supporters for education, networking, and connection. The 14th Annual Summit is scheduled for August 20-21, 2026 at Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley.
• LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk & Celebration Annual fundraising events held in multiple North Carolina cities (Raleigh, Greensboro, Greenville, Charlotte) combining physical activity with awareness building and community support.
• Survivor Wellness Retreat Three-day wellness retreat for lung cancer survivors featuring integrative wellness practices including tai chi, journaling, art, and mindfulness activities at Camp La TeDa.
• REACH Community Grants Grant program awarding up to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations working to improve access to lung cancer education, screening, and support for uninsured or underinsured individuals.
• HeartMath Workshops Science-based stress management workshops teaching techniques to help participants regulate stress, find emotional balance, and build resilience during their cancer journey.
• Provider Education Program Educational opportunities for healthcare professionals providing updates on lung cancer screening, surgical techniques, biomarker testing, and treatment advances.
• LCI Lung Screening Navigator Network Collaborative forum for screening navigators to connect, share best practices, and discuss strategies to enhance lung cancer screening and early detection.
• Patient Access to Care Gas Card Program Transportation assistance program providing gas cards to lung cancer patients actively receiving treatment to lessen the burden of travel to appointments.
• Patient Emergency Fund Emergency financial assistance providing stipends to help lung cancer patients meet basic needs during treatment or hardship situations.
• Community Education Educational sessions in partnership with cancer centers and organizations providing patients and families with information about lung cancer and related topics.
• Research Funding Programs Grants and fellowships supporting lung cancer researchers including Young Investigators Grants, Career Development Awards, and Innovation grants. Over $4 million funded to date.
• Screening Saves Program Program focused on increasing awareness of lung screening resources and advancing early detection efforts across North Carolina and beyond.
• Peer Mentor Program Program connecting lung cancer survivors with newly diagnosed patients for peer support and guidance throughout the cancer journey.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $4 million in lung cancer research funded since 2008
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 core.

• FirstHealth of the CarolinasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 REACH Grant recipient using funding to expand the FirstHealth Lung Bus mobile imaging unit. The Lung Bus brings free low-dose CT screenings directly into communities across the region.
• Scotland Memorial FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 REACH Grant recipient using funding to provide free low-dose CT lung cancer screenings at Scotland Health Care System, removing financial barriers for patients.
• Ease Your EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20262026 REACH Grant recipient offering Heart-Brain Resilience Workshops throughout 2026 for lung cancer survivors, caregivers, and families based on HeartMath Institute research.
• V Foundation for Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Established research partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research in 2016 to fund health disparities in lung cancer research. This partnership has supported collaborative grant programs addressing lung cancer equity in North Carolina.
• Duke Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuke Cancer Institute serves as home to LCI's Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Neal Ready and is represented on the Board of Directors. Deep collaboration on research initiatives and clinical programs.
• UNC REX HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNC REX Healthcare is represented on the Board of Directors through Dr. Hiren Mehta. Partnership supports research and healthcare professional engagement.
• Atrium Health Levine Cancer InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtrium Health Levine Cancer Institute is represented on the Board of Directors through Dr. Kathryn Finch Mileham. Partnership for research and community education programs.
• East Carolina Heart Institute at East Carolina UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Carolina Heart Institute is represented on the Board of Directors through Dr. Aundrea Oliver. Partnership supports research and healthcare professional education.
• FirstHealth of the CarolinascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresented on the Board of Directors through Dr. Bradley Icard. Partnership for lung cancer screening initiatives and research programs.
• City of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEd Kim, MD from City of Hope serves as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, providing advisory oversight for research programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Free to Breathe: Former national umbrella under which LCI operated as a state chapter (2008-2013). Continued to operate after LCI disaffiliated, with overlapping lung cancer research funding, 5K fundraising, and advocacy programming. Relevant as a comparable event-driven lung cancer nonprofit.
• GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer: Formed by the merger of the Lung Cancer Alliance and the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, GO2 is a national lung cancer advocacy, research, and support organization. Competes with LCI for donor dollars and offers overlapping patient navigation, screening, and research funding programs.
• LUNGevity Foundation: One of the largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofits, funding research and providing patient support and education. LCI is a regional analog with similar programmatic pillars (research funding, survivor support, screening awareness) but at a smaller scale and tighter geographic footprint.
• Lung Cancer Research Foundation: National nonprofit focused entirely on funding lung cancer research through peer-reviewed grants. Closest direct analog to LCI's research funding arm, with a national grant portfolio rather than a regional one.

Emerging players

• Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation: Small disease-specific cancer research nonprofit with a narrow focus (mesothelioma), analogous in structure to LCI's narrow lung-cancer focus. Useful as a structural peer for evaluating small disease-specific research-and-advocacy nonprofits.
• Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute: Research-focused sister organization of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, focused on collaborative research initiatives and patient access programs. Comparable to LCI on the research-funding side and the patient-access side.
• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major cancer research funder with which LCI has a strategic research partnership since 2016 for health disparities grants. Indirect peer — LCI acts as a regional co-funder alongside V Foundation's national grants portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• American Cancer Society: National voluntary health organization funding cancer research across all tumor types, including lung cancer. LCI's funded researchers have historically leveraged LCI grants into ACS funding, making it both an upstream pipeline and a downstream alternative for donors.
• American Lung Association: The largest U.S. nonprofit focused on lung health, with a national footprint across research funding, advocacy, and patient education. LCI overlaps with the ALA on lung cancer research grants and education but operates at a regional scale and a lung-cancer-only focus.

Others

• National Lung Cancer Roundtable: Convene-and-advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society where LCI's CEO is active. Not a direct donor competitor but operates in the same lung-cancer-policy orbit and provides LCI with national-level convening access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LC_Initiative_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkVaGPeOBEgh4HojamX0PNw
• Facebookfacebook.com/lungcancerinitiativeNC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lung-cancer-initiative
• Instagraminstagram.com/lung.cancer.initiative
• TikToktiktok.com/@lungcancerinitiative

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Lung Cancer Initiative