Joan's Legacy

Joan Scarangello

Joan's Legacy, the Founding Partner of Uniting Against Lung Cancer, was created in honor of Joan Scarangello McNeive, a gifted journalist, lifelong New Yorker, and Yankee fan who died in 2001 of lung cancer. As is the case with most nonsmokers, Joan and her physicians missed the signs and symptoms of the disease until it was late-stage. Her cancer—like most lung cancers—was resistant to chemotherapy and, despite a national search, she found no alternative treatment options. Joan vowed to fight lung cancer, raise awareness and find a cure. After a valiant nine-month campaign to beat the disease, Joan died at age 47—exactly 20 years after the death of her mother Edith, also a nonsmoker, from lung cancer.

In the wake of this loss, inspired by Joan’s passion and her life, her family and friends took on her mission and created this foundation

Watch the video explaining the foundation's work featured at the annual Strolling Supper with Blues and News.		Check out photos from the Strolling Supper!

Joan’s legion of supporters assembled the nation’s leading lung cancer clinical and research physicians for its powerful Medical Committee. With their guidance and an innovative funding model, Joan’s Legacy has become a leading resource in the search for new treatments and a cure for lung cancer.

Joan’s Legacy recognizes Joan’s profession by seeking out and recognizing excellence in journalism with a focus on lung cancer and women’s health issues. Every November the “Joanie Award” is given for journalism which speaks to the issues, dangers and medical developments about lung cancer. Joan, a writer and producer, appreciated quality reporting and she wanted to improve the information about lung cancer being shared with the public.

Today Joan Scarangello’s memory is honored in the foundation’s work. Joan's bravery, her fight for life and unwavering search for new treatments inspire us. A cure will be found. And that will be Joan’s Legacy.

Thank you to all of those who attended the Joan's Legacy's Strolling Supper with Blues and News on November 16, 2011.