Transforming Loss Into Hope: The Chalmé Family & A Remarkable Commitment To The Lung Cancer Research Foundation Creating Tangible Progress

This story is part of SurvivorNet’s longstanding collaboration with the Lung Cancer Research Foundation—an ongoing effort to further education, highlight the groundbreaking science, and honor remarkable people driving progress in the fight against lung cancer.

When Chalmé’s father Elliot Chalmé was diagnosed with lung cancer at just 56, his family had no time to prepare—he passed away within two weeks. The loss was sudden and heartbreaking. Yet in the midst of their grief, Elliot’s loved ones found purpose: honoring his memory by turning their pain into action, championing early detection and lung cancer awareness so that others might have more time, more answers, and more hope.

The sudden loss left his wife, Robin Chalmé, reeling. “I was in shock for ten years,” she told SurvivorNet.

Lung cancer symptoms often go unnoticed due to their subtlety, with signs like shortness of breath, fatigue, and a persistent cough blending in with everyday ailments, making early detection more difficult.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elliots Legacy (@elliotslegacy)

But Elliot’s story didn’t end there. His passing sparked a ripple effect that would go on to save lives—including that of his brother, Mark Chalme.

“He saved my life many times growing up,” Mark shared.

“Then, when he had lung cancer, about three or four months later, I went for a complete physical. I said, ‘Let’s do a chest X-ray.’ The doctor said, ‘Nah, you’re fine.’ But I insisted—‘My brother just passed. Let’s do it.’ We did the scan and saw a spot. If Elliot hadn’t passed… I wouldn’t be here. He saved my life again.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Elliots Legacy (@elliotslegacy)

Motivated by Elliot’s memory—and by the urgent need to improve outcomes for those facing lung cancer—the Chalmé family turned their grief into purpose. They became passionate advocates for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), the leading nonprofit dedicated to funding research, raising awareness, and supporting patients.

Together, the family launched Elliot’s Legacy, an annual fundraising event that honors Elliot’s life while driving progress in lung cancer research. The event has become a powerful platform for education, community support, and hope. “At Elliot’s Legacy, we created a family carnival. Everybody’s smiling. There’s kites that has symbolism for the lungs and air and just lightness. And at the same time we’re raising money for an incredible organization,” Chalmé says.

WATCH: Mother, 67, Diagnosed With Stage 4 Lung Cancer, Thriving Eight Years Later With New Targeted Medication

Advancements In Lung Cancer Treatment

For the first time in history, more effective treatments have surpassed prevention and screening as the main factor behind the decline in cancer deaths,  according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals.

The report estimates that over 4 million cancer deaths have been averted since the early 1990’s, thanks in part to advances in diagnosis and two categories of treatments; immunotherapy and biomarker based, targeted therapies. Immunotherapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. It boosts or changes the immune system, enabling it to detect and destroy cancer more effectively.

“Up until now, there’s been three pillars of cancer therapy– surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy,” Dr. Jim Allison, the chair of the department of immunology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX told SurvivorNet previously. “Immunotherapy is rather unique in that for the first time, we’re getting truly curative therapies in many kinds of disease… it works in many different kinds of cancers.”

Yet the fight against cancer has seen mixed results. While deaths from some cancers have dropped, lung cancer still poses a significant threat, especially to Black men who are twice as likely to die from the disease as White men. And Black women remain 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than White women.

WATCH: Lung Cancer Survivor Reina Honts Is Fighting Back Against the Stigma: ‘You Have The Power To Change Your Future’

Understanding Lung Cancer and Why It’s Hard to Catch Early

Lung cancer forms when cancer cells develop in the tissues of the lung. It is the second most common form of cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the U.S., SurvivorNet experts say. It’s “completely asymptomatic,” says thoracic surgeon-in-chief at Temple University Health System Dr. Joseph Friedberg.

“It causes no issues until it has spread somewhere. So, if it spreads to the bones, it may cause pain. If it spreads to the brain, it may cause something not subtle, like a seizure,” Dr. Friedberg adds.

WATCH: Detecting lung cancer in the absence of symptoms.

Scans such as X-rays can help doctors determine if a shadow appears, which can prompt further testing for lung cancer.

Lung cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until it has already spread outside the lungs, according to SurvivorNet’s experts.

There are two main types of lung cancer, which doctors group together based on how they act and how they’re treated:

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type and makes up about 85% of cases.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is less common, but it tends to grow faster than NSCLC and is treated very differently.

Some people with lung cancer may experience symptoms such as:

• A cough that doesn’t go away, that gets worse, or that brings up bloody phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Hoarse voice
• Appetite loss
• Weight loss

If you are experiencing these kinds of symptoms consistently, contact your doctor for further tests.

WATCH: Throw A Punch For A Cause! The SurvivorNet Community Is Boxing Out Cancer

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

If you find yourself diagnosed with lung cancer and are concerned about the long-term impacts, here are some questions you can ask your doctor.

• Has my cancer spread to other parts of the body?
• Based on my cancer stage, what are my treatment options?
• What are the side effects of my recommended treatment?
• Are there ways to help minimize the effects of treatment?
• How long will I be unable to work or carry out my daily activities?
• What financial resources are available to get the treatments I need?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---