Fortunately , answers may be coming in the not‐so‐distant future . Research may soon provide insight about long‐term lung cancer survivors — the so‐called super survivors . Is there something in their genetic makeup or microbiome ? Something in the sequence of treatments that they have received ?
All these avenues are worthwhile . Will the answers assuage survivor grief ? I ’ m not sure .
If there is something I am sure of , it is that we need to carry on the work that our PRA pioneers have begun . While the loss is great , we honor them by picking up where they left off . Many groups have made provisions for the transition .
While running in my neighborhood , I think about the passing of the baton . We only win this marathon with relay teams . Preparing for that means that we must document networks and knowledge to pass those batons to the next generation of PRAs .
Acknowledging our losses is crucial . While honor is not the reason PRAs involve themselves in research , they deserve recognition for their contributions and should be honored . Yet honoring them requires that after the pause for remembrance , we get back to work . We know that these folks would want us to get back to extending and improving the lives of people with lung cancer . And maybe , someday , finding a cure .
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Angus Pratt , MBA
Mr . Pratt is an advocate for patients with lung and breast cancers in Surrey , British Columbia , Canada .
https :// www . ilcn . org / passing‐of‐the‐baton‐on‐the‐death‐of‐patient‐research‐advocates