Andrea is President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. She became involved with lung cancer advocacy following her mother’s death from the disease in 2008. Determined to drive more money into lung cancer research, Andrea left the successful software company that she helped launch, to found Protect Your Lungs, an organization focused 100% on funding early detection research. In 2010, Andrea merged Protect Your Lungs with LUNGevity, a Chicago based organization, to form the nation’s leading lung cancer focused non-profit.Andrea’s strong business background combined with her connections to the worlds of research and advocacy have enabled her to build one of the preeminent patient advocacy organizations in the lung cancer space. LUNGevity funds translational research into both early detection and more effective treatments of lung cancer as well as a highly coveted Career Development Awards program. LUNGevity also fills unmet needs for people diagnosed with lung cancer by providing education, support and survivorship programs. Recognizing the need to build awareness and understanding about lung cancer, LUNGevity has built the largest grassroots network of events and advocates across the country.