Young Lung Cancer Initiative

What Young Lung Cancer Initiative does

Young Lung Cancer Initiative (YLCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 39-2386481) headquartered in Pewee Valley, Kentucky, that provides community, educational resources, and advocacy for young adults diagnosed with lung cancer at age 50 or under and their families. The organization was co-founded by Leah Phillips, a stage IV EGFR NSCLC survivor diagnosed in 2019, and Bianca Bye, and serves a beneficiary population that is broadly distributed across at least twelve US states and five countries (UK, South Africa, India, New Zealand, Puerto Rico). YLCI operates a community-led go-to-market model centered on the YLCI Circle membership program, a private moderated Facebook group, in-person community events, and educational content distributed through its website, YouTube, podcasts, and Substack blog.

YLCI's core offerings include a Resource Directory, a Newly Diagnosed Portal, a Biomarker and Subtype-Specific Organizations Hub, the Faces of YLCI community showcase, downloadable PDF guides covering biomarker testing, chemotherapy, second opinions, and surgical preparation, and a curated books collection. The organization has assembled a strategic partnership ecosystem of ten biomarker-specific nonprofits (ALK Positive, EGFR Resisters, RET Positive, MET Crusaders, Exon 20 Group, NRG1 Energizers, PD-L1 Amplifieds, Small Cell Smashers, Oncogene Cancer Research, and The Happy Lungs Project) to create referral pathways for mutation-driven lung cancer patients. All programs, resources, community access, and educational materials are provided free of charge to patients and families.

YLCI's business model is donation-based, with PayPal donation infrastructure (hosted button ID 7DRA4ZNYEC3UU) prominently featured on the website and a branded merchandise store on Bonfire supplementing contributions. The organization publicly advocates for expanded lung cancer screening eligibility to include young adults and never-smokers, citing that 64% of young adults were diagnosed at stage IV in 2018. YLCI maintains no paid technology product, no API, no proprietary software platform, and no disclosed AI capabilities, operating instead as a content-and-community nonprofit distributed through organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, X) and direct website distribution.

Name

Young Lung Cancer Initiative

Legal name

Young Lung Cancer Initiative

Website

https://ylci.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Young Lung Cancer Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free community, educational resources, and biomarker-specific referrals to young adults diagnosed with lung cancer at age 50 or under and their families, funded through donations and operated by co-founders Leah Phillips and Bianca Bye.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Pewee Valley

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 Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 39-2386481), YLCI is primarily funded through donations, with PayPal donation capabilities prominently featured on their website. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Young Lung Cancer Initiative (YLCI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides community connection, educational resources, and advocacy for young adults (age 50 and under) diagnosed with lung cancer and their families. The organization offers a curated resource directory, biomarker testing education, the YLCI Circle community membership program, in-person community events, podcasts, and educational video content, all provided free of charge to patients and caregivers.

Product overview

Young Lung Cancer Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a patient support and advocacy platform rather than a technology product company. The organization's offerings include a Resource Directory for connecting patients with support services and information; the YLCI Circle membership program providing exclusive updates and event invitations; educational content including PDF guides on biomarker testing, chemotherapy, second opinions, and surgery preparation; a Biomarker & Subtype-Specific Organizations Hub linking patients to mutation-focused communities; video and podcast educational content; and a private Facebook peer support group. These resources are provided free of charge to young adults diagnosed with lung cancer (age 50 and under) and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YLCI Circle The official community membership program providing Circle-only updates, resources, and invitations to programs and events for young lung cancer patients, caregivers, and supporters.
• Resource Directory A searchable directory connecting young lung cancer patients and families with resources including biomarker testing guides, financial assistance, family support, and mutation-specific communities.
• Newly Diagnosed Portal A step-by-step guidance resource for recently diagnosed young lung cancer patients covering biomarker testing, finding specialists, and connecting with support communities.
• Programs & Events Community programming including events, workshops, and gatherings for young lung cancer patients and families.
• Faces of YLCI A community showcase featuring photos and stories of young adults affected by lung cancer to provide visibility and connection.
• Private Facebook Group A private, moderated peer support group for day-to-day connection between young lung cancer patients and caregivers.
• Biomarker & Subtype-Specific Organizations Hub A curated directory connecting patients with organizations focused on specific biomarkers including ALK, EGFR, ROS1, RET, KRAS, HER2 exon 20, MET, NRG1, PD-L1, and small cell lung cancer.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2018, 64% of young adults were diagnosed at stage IV, highlighting the critical need for earlier detection and awareness.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

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 core.

• The Happy Lungs ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit focused on saving the lives of RET-positive lung cancer patients by advancing research and treatment options. They fund and facilitate cancer research, and educate and empower patients to participate in clinical trials and lung cancer registries.
• RET PositivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA nonprofit organization that unites patients, caregivers, and advocates affected by RET-driven cancers. The group provides support, builds community, and partners with researchers to accelerate the development of new treatments and improve outcomes.
• EGFR ResisterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA patient-driven community of patients, survivors, and caregivers facing EGFR-positive lung cancer with hope, strength, and compassion. The group provides an active peer support network and advances education, research awareness, and advocacy to improve outcomes.
• ALK PositivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the life expectancy and quality of life for people with ALK-positive cancer. The group supports patients and caregivers, funds research, and advocates for better treatments and awareness.
• Oncogene Cancer ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA charity focused on lung cancer research, awareness, and support for people with oncogene-driven mutations such as ALK, EGFR, ROS1, RET, KRAS, and others.
• Exon 20 GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn international nonprofit dedicated to improving outcomes for people with EGFR and HER2 exon 20 insertion-positive lung cancer. The group supports patients and families, raises awareness, and funds research with the goal of turning exon 20 mutations into chronic, treatable conditions.
• MET CrusaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA global, pan-tumor, biomarker support group for patients, care partners, and families affected by MET-driven cancers.
• Small Cell SmasherscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA support group for anyone impacted by small cell lung cancer, offered in partnership with Small Cell SMASHERS and LUNGevity Foundation. Provides information and peer support.
• NRG1 EnergizerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA pan-tumor, multi-stakeholder global organization for NRG1 Fusion-Positive Cancer providing oncology nursing services and direct patient navigation.
• PD-L1 AmplifiedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA multi-stakeholder patient-focused organization featuring fellow PD-L1 amplified patients, their care partners, and medical oncologists interested in this important gene amplification.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LUNGevity Foundation: The largest US lung cancer-focused nonprofit, funding research and providing patient support. Directly comparable as a lung cancer patient advocacy organization, though far larger in scope and not age-specific.
• Lung Cancer Foundation of America: A nonprofit focused on lung cancer research funding and awareness. Comparable advocacy mission though less oriented toward community/peer support than YLCI.
• ALK Positive: An international nonprofit dedicated to ALK-positive lung cancer patients — an explicit YLCI partner. Comparable biomarker-focused patient advocacy and research funding model for a specific mutation community.
• GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer: A leading lung cancer advocacy nonprofit formed from the merger of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and Lung Cancer Alliance. Comparable patient support, education, and advocacy mission across all ages.
• MET Crusaders: A global biomarker support group for MET-driven cancers — an explicit YLCI partner. Directly comparable niche patient advocacy organization for a specific lung cancer mutation.
• EGFR Resisters: A patient-driven community for EGFR-positive lung cancer patients and caregivers — also an explicit YLCI partner. Directly comparable as a biomarker-specific lung cancer peer support organization.
• RET Positive: A nonprofit uniting patients, caregivers, and advocates affected by RET-driven cancers, including lung cancer. Comparable biomarker-specific patient community and YLCI partner.
• LUNGevity Hope Summit: YLCI explicitly participates in the LUNGevity Hope Summit as a community gathering. While technically a LUNGevity program, it serves as a directly comparable patient/caregiver in-person lung cancer community event model.

Others

• International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC): A professional medical society for lung cancer researchers and clinicians that YLCI participates with via the World Conference on Lung Cancer. Comparable as a lung cancer ecosystem participant but operates as a professional/scientific body rather than a patient advocacy nonprofit.

Broad incumbents

• American Lung Association: A large, established lung health nonprofit addressing all lung diseases including lung cancer. Comparable in advocacy and patient education mission but operates at far greater scale and broader scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/younglungcancer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@YoungLungCancer/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/younglungcancer
• Instagraminstagram.com/younglungcancer/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/young-lung-cancer-initiative

Compliance1 record

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 Young Lung Cancer Initiative