The fourteenth annual Lung Leavin’ Day is next Saturday, Feb. 1 in St. Paul, MN. This Fundraise for Meso event is organized by Heather Von St James, a mesothelioma warrior and advocate, in her backyard on the anniversary of her extra pleural pneumonectomy (Feb. 2, 2006) — the day her left lung was removed. Following 18 days in the hospital, the surgery was deemed a success, and Heather has remained cancer-free for 14 years.
Lung Leavin’ Day was actually born on Heather’s one-year anniversary (Feb. 2, 2007) when she and her husband, Cameron, wrote their fears on stoneware plates and then smashed them into their backyard bonfire. This became an annual tradition as the family decided to use the anniversary to celebrate with their family and friends.
In its sixth year, Lung Leavin’ Day became a fundraiser for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, specifically the Von St James Travel Grant Fund. This fund helps patients cover travel costs related to treatment or consults with mesothelioma specialists. Since then, the event has raised more than $40,000, and this year’s goal is $20,000.
If you are unable to join for the event, you can still support the cause by making a donation to the Von St James Travel Grant Fund.
Event Details:
- Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020
- 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM CST
- 2431 St Albans St N, St. Paul, MN 55113
- Donate to the Von St James Travel Grant Fund
For more information about Lung Leavin’ Day, visit the Facebook event.
Throughout the year, dozens of Fundraise for Meso fundraisers — walks, runs, kayaking, poker tournaments, golf outings, birthday gifts, happy hours and more — are hosted to benefit the Meso Foundation. Interested in hosting your own Fundraise for Meso event? Contact us at [email protected] or 703-879-3797, and we will provide you the tools and resources you’ll need to make your event a success.
