Family Focus

Stepping Up

Family and friends of LUNGevity founder host walk to fight lung cancer.

Michael Lumberg of Farmington Hills with his parents, Edward and Sherri Lumberg of West Bloomfield

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

I

n the battle against lung cancer,
Missy Lumberg Zagon was truly a
warrior. The 39-year-old wife, mother
and Harvard-educated attorney died in
January 2007 after fighting the deadly
disease for 61/2 years with bravery, dignity
and determination.
"Her attitude was that she was going to
fight this thing; she was going to beat it;'
said her father, Eddie Lumberg of West
Bloomfield. "She fought for herself and
for others; her mantra was, `Every second
counts!'"
At age 32, a non-smoker and in perfect
health, Zagon went to the doctor because
she was experiencing severe headaches.
That's when she received the devastating
diagnosis; stage-four lung cancer. Doctors
predicted she had 12-18 months to live.
"We were in shock; we knew nothing of
lung cancer;' recalled her mother, Sherri.
"Now we know more men and women
die from lung cancer each year than from
breast, prostate, colorectal and pancreatic
cancers combined — including many
non-smokers."

Amy Sternfeld of West Bloomfield

There would be more stunning news. At that difference."
the time of Missy's diagnosis, the family
learned there were no organizations in the Walking The Walk
United States raising money exclusively
Now, Zagon's family members and friends
for lung cancer research. Zagon quickly
are following in her footsteps. They've
changed that. In the midst of several sur-
planned the first-ever Metro Detroit Lung
geries, more than a dozen rounds of radia- Cancer Walk for Oct. 26 at Drake Sports
tion and chemotherapy and while raising
Park in West Bloomfield, one of dozens of
her young daughter, Hannah, she rounded
similar events held nationwide. Committee
up a core group of six other lung cancer
members include Amy Sternfeld of West
survivors and founded LUNGevity. The
Bloomfield, who lost her mother and two
Chicago-based organization dedicated to
grandparents to lung cancer; her father is
funding lung cancer research and provid-
currently battling the disease.
ing support for those affected by the dis-
"My mother was my best friend in the
ease has raised more than $6 million thus
whole world; losing her was like losing a
far and helped fund 34 research projects;
piece of me said Sternfeld. "Then when
Wayne State University and Karmanos
my father was diagnosed, it was like a
Cancer Institute, both in Detroit, and the
nightmare. I'm angry that my parents got
University of Michigan are local grant
this horrible disease and I don't want to
recipients. Missy was their president,
see anyone else suffer the way I've seen my
cheerleader, spokesperson and inspiration. own family members suffer."
"She fought to dispel the myth or the
The National Cancer Institute estimates
stigma of smoking," said Eddie. "She felt
there will be more than 200,000 new cases
no one deserved to have lung cancer and
of lung cancer in 2008. The Lumbergs,
she wanted to do everything in her power
along with co-chairs Merle Schwartz of
to fight the disease. Most people, like ABC
Farmington Hills and Allan Cohen of
news anchor Peter Jennings, [who died
Birmingham, organized to walk to raise
four months after his lung cancer diag-
awareness and continue the valiant effort
nosis] don't get the opportunity to be an
their daughter started. They're expecting
advocate. Missy was blessed to have six
more than 300 people and hope to raise
years to make a difference and she made
more than $50,000 at the family-friendly

event which includes children's activities
and refreshments. Whole Foods Market,
Schechter Wealth Strategies, Troy Internal
Medicine, Pegasus Entertainment and
the Detroit Jewish News are major spon-
sors. All proceeds benefit the Melissa
Lumberg Zagon Memorial Research Fund
at LUNGevity.
"When you're fighting lung cancer every
second does count," said Sherri."In a given
second, a researcher somewhere could
come up with a finding that could change
everything."

❑

Join The Fight!

The first LUNGevity walk takes
place Sunday, Oct. 26, at Drake
Sports Park in West Bloomfield.
Registration is $25 and begins at
12:30 p.m.; the walk is at 1:30 p.m.
WXYZ-TV reporter Cheryl Chodun
will serve as master of ceremonies.
Register online at
www.lungevity.org/detroitwalk or
at Drake Park on the day of the
event. For more information about
LUNGevity, go to www.lungevity.org .

October 16 • 2008

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