08/02/2026
Today is World ALK Lung Cancer Day š§¬š«
19 years ago on August 2, 2007, Dr. Hiroyuki Mano and teamās discovery of the ALK gene rearrangement changed everything for people with a very specific form of lung cancer, known as ALK-positive. Since then, the science has advanced, treatments have evolved, and a powerful community has formed, giving hope to hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Swipe through to meet seven people living that discovery firsthand: Clara, Colin, Amanda, Marc, Kirk, Summer and Duncan. Each photo pairs the year they were diagnosed with today, and their lowest moment with where they stand now.
Todayās survival hasnāt happened by chance. Back in a lab in Japan in 2007, a scientist asked the right question, and researchers, advocates, and funders have kept building on his answer ever since.
Today, we honor Dr. Mano and every researcher, advocate, patient, and caregiver who has pushed this field forward. We fund research because the next breakthrough is out there, and every step brings us closer to better treatments, longer lives, and a future where no one faces this alone.
Clara. Colin. Amanda. Marc. Kirk. Summer. Duncan. Seven reasons the science matters. Letās celebrate Dr. Manoās achievement today, and keep pushing for everything still ahead.
A special thank you to Clara Clara Mae Cirks š¦ whose beautiful photo here inspired this post. š©·