Lung Association Celebrates Ten Years of Lung Cancer Awareness with Shantel VanSanten

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2023, the American Lung Association is proud to celebrate ten years of partnership with actor and philanthropist Shantel VanSanten. During this time, Shantel has lent her generous support, led lung health awareness activities, and been an advocate for lung health screening and health care coverage for all those with lung disease.

In 2013, VanSanten’s grandmother, Doris Dooyema, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She died only seven months later. The loss of Dooyema, a non-smoker who was only 79 when she passed, inspired VanSanten to raise awareness about lung cancer, the country’s number one cancer killer, and the lifesaving benefits of low-dose CT screening for the disease.

Over the past decade, Shantel has spent hundreds of hours supporting American Lung Association efforts including building “Team Dee Dee,” a force that raises critical funds and awareness through Fight for Air Climb and LUNG FORCE Walk events. She serves on the Local Leadership Board for Los Angeles and the Lung Association Ambassador’s Council and has spoken at and supported numerous other Lung Association fundraising events including Champions Unite, I Wear Turquoise, and more.

Shantel also steadfastly raises awareness about lung disease through connecting with her millions of social media followers, speaking to the media about lung disease and prevention, and attending numerous fundraising events.  In 2023, VanSanten took her advocacy to Capitol Hill in Washington DC for the second time to speak to her representatives about supporting increased funding for lung cancer research, stronger coverage for lung cancer screening and more.

“On behalf of the entire American Lung Association and the more than 34 million people in America living with chronic lung disease, I want to share our appreciation for Shantel VanSanten and her efforts to raise awareness about lung disease while promoting lung health,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.  “Faced with the loss of her beloved grandmother, Doris, Shantel made the choice to do more than simply mourn her loss, she committed herself to ensuring that fewer people in our country ever have to suffer that same fate.”

We invite the public to join Shantel VanSanten and the American Lung Association to raise awareness and funds to prevent lung disease and promote lung health by visiting Lung.org today and finding a fundraising event near you at Lung.org/events.