Byline: Keith Spiro

I did not know Chip Kennett, but his death affected me because just a year earlier I had met cancer research evangelist Dave Bjork. He, too, was diagnosed with lung cancer in his early 30s. He, too, has never smoked and as a survivor has become a real advocate for putting money directly in the hands of researchers and for raising awareness of the work that needs to be done. The stigma around lung cancer as a smoker’s disease has hampered progress and yet, more than 20 percent of all lung cancer patients today are non-smokers.

After a year filled with all kinds of surprises, I’ve learned to pace myself, accept that I can’t predict today, let alone anything in the future, and therefore I’ve made myself fully present, right here, right now. If perseverance got us through 2020 then creativity and flexibility will be key components for success in 2021.