Category: Health

In the Bronx, Finding Cancer Early May Begin With Finding Each Other

Bronx residents and lung cancer survivor Colette Smith show why community trust, early detection and access matter ahead of a September cancer health conversation.

By Milton Kirby | Bronx, NY | August 31, 2026

Along a Bronx street lined with apartment buildings, Colette Smith tends flowers growing in beds along the sidewalk.

She is quick to correct anyone who calls it her garden.

“It’s our garden,” Smith said.

The flowers have grown from seeds. Solar lights illuminate the beds after dark. Trees provide shade on hot days, when neighbors sometimes bring out lawn chairs.

For Smith, working in the soil provides something more.

She is a lung cancer survivor.

Colette Smith The Bronx, NY (Milton Kirby)

Cancer, she said, “can live in your head if you let it.” Even years after treatment, an upcoming scan or unexpected reminder can bring the anxiety rushing back.

“When I come out here and I play in the dirt and the soil, it quiets that,” Smith said. Working with something living and beautiful, she said, gives her a feeling of control.

These days, Smith is cultivating more than flowers.

She is trying to grow awareness about lung cancer in a borough where residents face significant health disparities, and where getting potentially lifesaving information to the people who need it can be a challenge.

On Sept. 19, HEAL Collaborative, with support from Amgen, Merck and Commonpoint Bronx, will hold a community conversation at Commonpoint Bronx, 1665 Hoe Ave. The program is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

The gathering will focus on lung cancer screening and treatment while also addressing patient navigation, mental wellness, financial health literacy, medical debt and access to care.

But before residents walk through the doors, another part of the work is already taking place outside them.

It is happening on sidewalks, beneath elevated subway tracks and at bus stops.

Sometimes the conversation begins with a simple question:

Do you know someone who could benefit from this information?

Sometimes the answer is no.

Sometimes there are only minutes to discover that the answer is yes.

A Cancer She Wasn’t Expecting

Smith did not fit the image many people still associate with lung cancer.

She did not smoke.

Her cancer was discovered after an unrelated medical procedure. Smith said an elevated heart rate eventually led her to an emergency room, where doctors performed a CT scan while looking for blood clots.

Instead, they found nodules in her lungs.

Smith recalls being told that because she did not smoke, she should not worry about the nodules and should follow up in six months.

She didn’t wait.

Smith went to her primary-care physician. Another scan was performed about four months later, but questions remained.

Finally, Smith asked her doctor a different kind of question.

“If this were your wife, what would you do?”

She was referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon.

That encounter did not satisfy her either.

Smith eventually sought another surgeon and continued asking questions, including whether a biopsy could be performed before major surgery. The process ultimately confirmed lung cancer at an early stage, and surgery followed.

The Lung Cancer Foundation of America identifies Smith’s diagnosis as Stage 1A adenocarcinoma in 2015 and describes her as a never-smoker.

Her experience now informs one of the messages she carries into her community: lung cancer is not only a smoker’s disease, and patients sometimes have to push for answers.

“But I Don’t Smoke”

That message remains necessary.

During conversations with Bronx residents about the upcoming program, questions about lung cancer sometimes produced an immediate response:

They didn’t smoke.

In one encounter, two women responded that way after hearing about the Sept. 19 program.

The conversation turned to something they had not necessarily considered: people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer.

That does not mean every nonsmoker should receive routine lung cancer screening. Current screening recommendations generally target people at high risk based largely on age and smoking history.

But Smith’s experience illustrates why lung cancer cannot be viewed exclusively as a smoker’s disease.

One of the women described keeping up with other preventive health care, including mammograms and gynecological visits.

Another woman encountered during the outreach said she had been screened and was approaching her 50th birthday.

These encounters were not a scientific survey and cannot establish what Bronx residents generally know about lung cancer.

But they offer a glimpse of the challenge facing organizations trying to increase awareness.

Before someone can decide whether screening or additional information might be relevant, that person first has to understand why it could matter.

Smith has seen what can happen when that connection is made.

She recalled meeting a man during a neighborhood block party where she shared her cancer story.

Later, he returned with news.

“I heard your story and I went and got screened,” Smith recalled him saying.

According to Smith, doctors at Mount Sinai found a lung nodule and began monitoring it. The man smoked, she said, but Smith believes another part of their encounter was important.

He trusted her.

He heard the information from someone in his community and acted on it.

For Smith, that is what impact looks like.

“There are more stories out there like that,” she said. “We just need to find them or they need to find us.”

Ishawna Bridges, The Bronx, NY (Milton Kirby)

Ten Minutes at a Bus Stop

Under elevated subway tracks in the Bronx, the roar overhead and noise from the street made conversation difficult.

Ishawna Bridges was waiting for a bus.

There were perhaps 10 minutes before it arrived, only a brief window to tell her about the Sept. 19 community conversation on lung cancer screening and treatment.

Then the conversation changed.

Bridges said her mother has Stage 4 kidney and lung cancer.

“My mom’s has stage four kidney and lung cancer,” Bridges said during a brief recorded statement. “And I think this will be a good result and good information for me and my mom.”

She wanted to attend the Sept. 19 gathering and hoped her mother could attend as well.

Bridges discussed trying to get her mother there and possibly enlisting her brother’s help.

She carries other family responsibilities as well. Bridges said she has a nonverbal son with autism and another son with multiple sclerosis.

“I have a lot going on,” she said.

Then the bus came.

A woman who had been waiting for public transportation was gone.

But in those few noisy minutes beneath the elevated tracks, what began as an effort to tell a stranger about a community health program had connected with a family already confronting advanced cancer.

For Bridges, questions about cancer treatment were not theoretical.

They were already inside her family.

Her encounter illustrated something easily lost when community health is discussed in terms of programs, initiatives and statistics.

People have to be reached in the middle of their lives.

They are catching buses. Going to work. Caring for children and parents. Managing illnesses. Paying bills.

Sometimes there may be only 10 minutes to make the connection.

Lung Cancer and the Bronx

Traveling along the Bruckner Expressway offers another view of the Bronx.

Older brick apartment buildings line portions of the roadway, many with window air-conditioning units jutting from window after window. From the expressway, parts of the borough can appear caught between eras.

The view does not tell the whole story of the Bronx. But it offers a visible reminder that New York’s prosperity and modernization has not reached every neighborhood in the same way.

At the street level, however, another Bronx emerges.

People tend flowers along the sidewalk. They wait beneath elevated subway tracks for buses. They care for children and aging parents. And community advocates such as Colette Smith work to make sure their neighbors have information that could someday save a life.

It is against that backdrop that the Sept. 19 community conversation will take place.

The Bronx had an estimated 1.38 million residents in 2024. About 55% were Hispanic and nearly 30% were non-Hispanic Black, according to the New York State Department of Health. More than one in five Bronx families lived below the poverty line during the 2020-2024 period, and nearly 36% of children were living in poverty.

Lung cancer also cuts across racial and ethnic lines.

From 2020 through 2022, the age-adjusted lung cancer incidence rate in the Bronx was 38.5 cases per 100,000 residents, according to state health data.

The rate was highest among non-Hispanic White residents, at 53.6 per 100,000. It was 43.8 among non-Hispanic Black residents, 34.4 among Asian and Pacific Islander residents and 30.6 among Hispanic residents.

Those numbers are important because they prevent an oversimplification of the story: Black Bronx residents do not have the borough’s highest lung cancer incidence rate.

But incidence is not the only measure of disparity.

Across New York, Black people with lung cancer are less likely than White patients to have their disease diagnosed early, according to the American Lung Association’s State of Lung Cancer report.

The report also identifies disparities in survival and treatment among Black patients. Those findings provide a broader context for Smith’s concerns about the experiences of Black women with lung cancer.

Smith belongs to an affinity group of Black women who have experienced the disease. She said the group once included 32 women and that three have since died. Many, she said, experienced later-stage disease.

“We don’t get believed when we go to doctors’ offices and we describe symptoms,” Smith said. “We are not given diagnostic measures. We just get ignored.”

Smith’s experience cannot establish how frequently that happens throughout the health-care system.

But independent health data show that disparities in lung cancer diagnosis, survival and treatment exist.

The numbers and Smith’s experience arrive at the issue from different directions.

Together, they raise a question central to the Sept. 19 gathering: How do communities make sure people receive useful cancer information, and can act on it, before opportunities for early intervention disappear?

Four Organizations Behind the Conversation

That challenge is bringing together HEAL Collaborative, Amgen, Merck and Commonpoint.

Their support of the Sept. 19 community conversation brings health advocacy, private-sector resources and an established community presence together in one place.

But the larger question is not simply who supports a Saturday health event.

It is what happens afterward.

A community conversation can provide information for several hours.

Improving health outcomes requires people to know what to do with that information after they leave, where to go, whom to call and how to navigate the barriers between learning about screening and actually receiving appropriate care.

Smith believes part of the answer is trust.

She wants health outreach to happen in ways that feel natural to the community, including conversations and activities where residents feel comfortable asking questions. She has discussed bringing screening resources directly into neighborhoods.

She knows what can happen when people feel comfortable enough to listen.

One man heard her story.

Then he got screened.

Cancer Doesn’t End With Treatment

Smith’s advocacy did not end when doctors removed her cancer.

She said other lung nodules have been monitored for roughly 11 years. Some have disappeared or calcified.

Neither did her experience navigating the health-care system end after surgery.

Smith said an insurance company denied coverage for one of her surveillance CT scans about two years ago.

She challenged the decision.

“We got to fight them,” she said.

There was also the financial side of cancer.

Her husband’s earlier experience with prostate cancer prompted Smith to obtain disability and catastrophic-illness insurance and think more seriously about how the family would manage if she became seriously ill.

Two or three years later, she said, she received her own lung cancer diagnosis.

Because those protections were already in place, Smith said she was able to spend months recovering at home without the same fear about what she calls “financial toxicity.”

That experience helps explain why the Sept. 19 conversation extends beyond screening and treatment to mental wellness, financial health literacy and medical debt.

Cancer can begin with an abnormal scan.

Its consequences can spread into employment, household finances, transportation, caregiving and mental health.

Smith knows that.

So does Bridges.

But the two women stand at very different places in the cancer journey.

One is years beyond an early-stage lung cancer diagnosis and now spends part of her life encouraging others to seek information, ask questions and advocate for themselves.

The other is a daughter whose mother is confronting Stage 4 disease and who hopes a Saturday morning community conversation might provide information her family can use.

Between those experiences are Bronx residents whose relationship with cancer may not yet be known.

Some may be caring for someone with cancer.

Some may qualify for lung cancer screening.

Some may need help navigating treatment.

Some may be worried about what medical care will cost.

Some may simply hear something on Sept. 19 that becomes important later.

And others may never walk through the door unless somebody reaches them first.

Finding Each Other

Back on her Bronx block, Smith continues tending the flowers.

The garden gives her somewhere to put some of the anxiety cancer left behind. Her advocacy gives her somewhere to put the experience.

Smith believes there are other people who need to hear what she and other survivors have learned.

“We just need to find them or they need to find us,” Smith said.

A short distance away, beneath the elevated subway tracks, that challenge became literal.

Bridges was waiting for a bus.

The trains and traffic made it difficult to hear. Her mother has Stage 4 cancer. She had other family responsibilities waiting for her.

And there were perhaps 10 minutes to make a connection.

Then the bus came.

On Sept. 19, HEAL Collaborative, Amgen, Merck and Commonpoint Bronx, will try to bring more of those connections under one roof.

But the work of reaching people will continue after the chairs are put away.

Because somewhere in the Bronx, another person may be waiting for a bus, walking home, sitting beneath a shade tree or simply going about an ordinary day unaware that a conversation they have not yet had could someday matter.

Smith put the challenge more simply.

“We just need to find them or they need to find us.”

In the Bronx, perhaps they need to find each other.

The HEAL Collaborative is based in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, please visit: www.healcollaborative.org.

Related articles

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Six Blocks That Changed the Conversation About Lung Health

A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

Support open, independent journalism. Your contribution helps us tell the stories that matter most.

One Small Card, One Big Question That Changed a Life

A lung cancer summit taught Jacqui and Donel King about biomarker testing, helping them

By Milton Kirby | Old Hickory, TN | August 25, 2026

Jacqui and Donel King were attending a lung cancer summit in New Orleans when, near the end of the event, Jacqui stopped at an information table.

One card remained on the table.

It looked ordinary, about the size of a business card, folded like a small tent. There was nothing about its appearance to suggest that the information inside would soon become worth its weight in gold to the Kings.

Inside was information about biomarkers associated with lung cancer and questions patients could take to their doctors to get answers.

Jacqui picked up the last card brought it home and then took it to her husband’s next appointment with his oncologist.

What happened next helped change the conversation surrounding Donel King’s Stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.

The Kings walked into the appointment prepared to ask whether biomarker testing had been performed.

It had.

They just didn’t know it.

The testing had identified a KRAS G12C mutation in Donel’s cancer, a molecular characteristic for which a targeted treatment was available.

For Jacqui, the moment demonstrated something she now believes every patient and caregiver needs to know and understand.

“You don’t know how to advocate for yourself if you don’t know what it is that you’re looking for,” she said.

Before Cancer Took Center Stage

Cancer is now part of the Kings’ daily lives.

But that’s not where their story began.

Donel and Jacqui met in Houston more than three decades ago. Both were single parents, and their marriage brought together a blended family.

Jacqui’s life became increasingly centered on ministry and leadership in the United Methodist Church. Donel describes his role throughout much of their marriage as supporting that calling while pursuing his own entrepreneurial interests.

Their life together took them through Texas, Tennessee and Illinois.

They also endured major events long before lung cancer entered their lives.

While serving in Port Arthur, Texas, the Kings experienced the devastating 2005 hurricane season. Their church and community dealt with families displaced by Hurricane Katrina and then faced hurricanes that affected their own area.

Jacqui remembers the period as one of ministry, survival, rebuilding and prayer.

Donel brought another life experience to the marriage.

He is an Air Force veteran who served in air traffic control.

Donel would learn much later in life that he was dyslexic, finally putting a name to difficulties he had experienced years earlier. Decades later, cancer would confront him with another lesson about the power of knowing exactly what you are dealing with.

He also spent years as an entrepreneur and describes himself as someone who enjoys technology, business, gardening and community service.

He calls himself a “Renaissance man.”

And cancer was not completely new to him.

Donel was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and underwent removal of his prostate.

They were unaware that years later, another cancer was growing inside him.

A Fall Changes Everything

By 2025, Donel had experienced pain in his shoulder and hip. A simple X-ray had not revealed the cause.

He underwent regular physical examinations and was frustrated that nothing had identified the cancer earlier.

Then, in October 2025, while the Kings were living in Springfield, Illinois, Donel’s leg gave way while walking down a flight of stairs.

He fell. The fall fractured his femur and badly damaged his hip.

Further medical evaluation revealed something far more serious.

Stage 4 lung cancer.

The cancer had spread beyond his lung, metastasizing to his hip and shoulder. Donel could no longer walk.

Their lives changed almost immediately.

Physicians in Illinois told the couple Donel needed specialized orthopedic oncology care that was not available locally. They worked to get him back to the Nashville area, where he could receive care through the VA and other specialists.

After returning home, Donel entered rehabilitation while doctors simultaneously confronted the cancer and the severe damage to his hip.

The first biopsy in Illinois failed to provide enough tissue for all of the testing doctors needed, Jacqui said.

Then came major surgery.

Rebuilding a Hip While Fighting Cancer

On February 18, 2026, Donel underwent an operation to reconstruct his hip and pelvis.

He remembers an eight-hour surgery that would begin rebuilding the structure of an extensively damaged hip that might allow him to walk again.

Doctors also obtained additional tissue. That tissue would later become important to Donel’s cancer story

Meanwhile, Donel begin cancer treatment that consisted of radiation, chemotherapy and infusion therapy. Donel remembers what chemotherapy did to him physically.

His hair disappeared.

So did the black beard he loved.

Jacqui looked at him during the interview and offered a reminder of what mattered more.

“But he’s still here.”

Donel responded:

“I’m still here.”

But the treatments were difficult the cancer was not responding as they had hoped.

Jacqui was began her search for treatment options, something she knows how to do.

Jacqui Starts Looking for Answers

Jacqui had previously researched lung cancer resources after the wife of a colleague was diagnosed with lung cancer.

When Donel was diagnosed, she returned to that research.

This time, she searched specifically for organizations working with African Americans and lung cancer.

She found the HEAL Collaborative.

HEAL focuses on health education and advocacy, including efforts to provide patients and caregivers with information they can use to navigate cancer care. Its lung cancer resources include information about screening, treatment, clinical trials, biomarker testing and self-advocacy.

Jacqui contacted the organization and learned about HEAL’s annual Lung Cancer Patient & Caregiver Summit.

The Kings registered and began planning their trip to attend HEAL’s 2026 3rd Annual Summit in New Orleans.

The 2026 gathering was designed specifically to address the needs of Black communities affected by lung cancer. HEAL brought patients and caregivers together with healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates and community leaders for discussions about early detection, personalized treatment, clinical trials and patient advocacy.

For Donel and Jacqui, those subjects were not theoretical.

They were living them.

Getting to New Orleans was not automatic.

Donel had recently undergone major surgery and needed medical clearance to travel.

They got it.

And they went.

That trip would introduce the Kings to a word that would become central to their cancer journey:

Biomarker testing.

What Is a Biomarker?

Cancer is not necessarily the same disease in every person who receives the same broad diagnosis.

A biomarker is a biological characteristic that can provide doctors with information about a cancer. In some cancers, testing can identify specific molecular changes that may help physicians determine whether a targeted treatment is appropriate.

For a patient, the distinction can be simplified.

Biomarker Individual Results

A cancer diagnosis identifies the disease.

Biomarker testing tells doctors more about the particular characteristics of that patient’s cancer.

And targeted therapy acts against a particular target or characteristic.

The Kings did not understand that distinction before New Orleans.

The Last Card on the Table

At the Summit, the Kings attended a breakout session about biomarker testing.

The message they carried away was direct: patients with lung cancer should ask for a biomarker test that will provide information about the specific characteristics of their cancer, so their doctor can consider more personalized treatment options.

That was what sent Jacqui to the Amgen table, one of the pharmaceutical companies supporting the Summit.

There she found the wallet-sized card containing information about biomarkers associated with non-small cell lung cancer. Jacqui took the last one on the table.

She decided that when they returned home, the card was going with them to Donel’s next oncology appointment.

They were going to ask questions.

But the story took an unexpected turn.

The Kings did not return home, request biomarker testing and then wait for a laboratory to perform it.

The testing had apparently already been done.

They simply did not know it.

“An Awakening on Both Sides”

Additional tissue obtained during Donel’s hip surgery had been sent for laboratory analysis.

By the time the Kings walked into the oncology appointment with their card, biomarker testing had identified KRAS G12C in Donel’s cancer.

Jacqui remembers putting the card into the conversation and learning that the result was already there.

She called the moment “an awakening on both sides.”

NSCLC – Results

The Kings had arrived intending to ask whether the test should be performed.

Instead, the conversation became about what the completed test had found and what could be done with that information.

The KRAS gene helps regulate cell growth. Some cancers carry a particular alteration known as KRAS G12C.

That distinction mattered because medicines have been developed to target KRAS G12C.

One of those targeted treatments is Lumakras, or sotorasib, manufactured by Amgen.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lumakras in 2021 for certain adults with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who have received at least one prior systemic therapy. The FDA labeling calls for patients to be selected based on the presence of the KRAS G12C mutation determined by an FDA-approved test.

That is the type of targeted treatment Donel’s biomarker result made possible for his physicians to consider.

The medication is not a cure.

Donel understands that.                                                                                                                     

But to him, it represented another option.

The “Silver Bullet”

Donel has his own name for the treatment.

He calls it his “silver bullet.”

He is quick to explain what he means.

He does not believe the pill simply makes Stage 4 cancer disappear.

His hope is that the therapy can stop the cancer from progressing or cause tumors to shrink.

Donel says he feels much better since moving away from chemotherapy and beginning the targeted treatment.

He is also being monitored.

Blood work is part of his routine. CT scans will help his physicians determine whether the tumors are shrinking, remaining stable or progressing.

Asked what he wants those scans to show, Donel did not give a complicated answer.

“My hope is that it’s not moving,” he said. “That’s my goal.”

Caregiving Wasn’t in the Retirement Plan

The story is not Donel’s alone.

Cancer changed Jacqui’s life too.

Her retirement was supposed to begin a different season.

Instead, she became caregiver, researcher, medical navigator, household manager and advocate while simultaneously dealing with grief and a major move.

Her mother had been ill and died during the same larger period of upheaval.

The Kings were also moving back from Illinois to Tennessee.

Donel was in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

Jacqui dealt with packing, moving, selling a house, setting up their Tennessee home, arranging medical equipment and keeping track of appointments.

“Caregiving wasn’t on my retirement,” she said.

At another point she summed up the experience even more simply:

“There’s no script for this.”

Yet sitting with the Kings revealed something that a list of caregiving responsibilities could not.

After more than 30 years of marriage and 33 years as a couple, Donel and Jacqui still displayed the easy affection of people discovering each other. They finished each other’s sentences and sometimes started the same thought at the same time. They gazed at one another as the other spoke. More than once, Jacqui looked at Donel, smiled and seemed, for a moment, almost giddy.

It was an unexpected sight in an interview about Stage 4 lung cancer.

Their story was about biomarker testing, targeted therapy and caregiving. But sitting across from the Kings, another story was unfolding in plain sight.

This was also a love story.

The couple learned to accept help.

Friends and colleagues organized meals.

Neighbors helped with equipment.

The VA helped with transportation to medical appointments.

Their church and broader community prayed.

And Jacqui learned something caregivers sometimes resist.

“You can’t do it by yourself,” she said.

Information Is Only Half the Job

The Kings credit HEAL Collaborative with putting information in front of them that they did not previously understand and how to be your own advocate.

But Jacqui believes attending a conference is not enough.

“If you get the information, that’s half of the game because then you’ve got to follow through,” she said.

In the Kings’ case, the chain is unusually clear.

HEAL created the setting where they learned why biomarker testing mattered.

At an Amgen table, Jacqui picked up the last card explaining what they should ask about.

Back home, that question led them into a conversation about a KRAS G12C result already in Donel’s medical record.

And that result helped identify a targeted treatment option.

 But none of those steps happened in isolation.

Information had to reach the patient.

The patient and caregiver had to understand why it mattered.

They had to take that information back to the people providing Donel’s medical care.

And physicians had to determine the appropriate treatment.

That may be the central lesson of the Kings’ experience.

The laboratory had information about Donel’s cancer.

His medical team had access to that information.

The Kings had attended appointments.

What changed after New Orleans was their ability to participate in the conversation differently.

They knew the word biomarker.

They had a card.

They had questions.

And they knew they were supposed to ask them.

There is an important nuance.

The Kings’ account does not establish that Donel’s physicians had overlooked the biomarker result or would not have discussed targeted therapy without the card. Jacqui said the medical team appeared to be preparing to talk with them about what could come next.

What the Summit and the card clearly changed was the Kings’ understanding of the conversation.

They arrived knowing what to ask.

Tennessee Expands Biomarker Coverage

The Kings’ experience comes as Tennessee is changing its insurance rules surrounding biomarker testing.

Tennessee enacted legislation in 2026 requiring specified health plans to provide biomarker-testing coverage beginning with plans issued, amended or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. The law includes TennCare coverage when biomarker testing is medically necessary.

The law does not mandate biomarker testing to screen people without symptoms. Its coverage provisions address testing used for diagnosis, treatment, disease management or monitoring when applicable requirements are met.

The distinction is important.

Lung cancer screening and biomarker testing are not the same thing.

Screening is intended to identify lung cancer in people who meet established eligibility criteria before symptoms develop.

Biomarker testing can help physicians make treatment decisions after cancer is identified.

For the Kings, understanding those differences has become part of learning to navigate cancer.

The Losses Cancer Creates

Stage 4 cancer has taken more from Donel than hair.

It took mobility.

For months he could not walk.

It interrupted his businesses.

It pulled him away from volunteer work, gardening and the other activities of a man who describes himself as hands-on.

Donel calls those losses a form of grief.

He had been an active man.

Suddenly, much of his life required other people to do things for him.

“For the moment, I just said, well, I just got to step back and take my hands off of them and just kind of go with the flow,” he said.

Still, optimism comes easily to him.

He calls himself a “perpetual optimist.”

“When I see manure, I’m looking for the pony,” he said.

That optimism now has specific goals.

One is walking again.

Donel continues physical therapy and believes he is getting closer.

Another is traveling.

During one appointment, someone asked him a question he was not expecting:

What are you going to do with the time you have?

It stopped him.

Now he has answers.

He wants to take a train across the country.

He wants to travel.

He talks about Egypt.

Cancer has forced him to think about time differently.

Faith, Medicine and the Road Ahead

Faith runs through nearly every chapter of the Kings’ story.

Jacqui is a minister.

Donel speaks openly about God.

They describe prayer surrounding his surgery, treatment and recovery.

But their faith has not meant waiting passively.

Jacqui searched.

They traveled.

They listened.

They carried information home.

They asked questions.

Donel continued treatment.

Jacqui continued caregiving.

And both continued learning.

They see no contradiction between prayer and medicine.

For Jacqui, vulnerability also became part of the lesson.

When people ask how things are going, caregivers do not always have to say everything is fine.

Sometimes, she said, the answer needs to be:

Not great today.

I need help today.

Healing, she believes, sometimes requires letting other people into the struggle.

For Donel, the future remains uncertain.

Stage 4 lung cancer is still Stage 4 lung cancer.

The next CT scan matters.

So does the next physical therapy session.

So does the possibility of taking another step without assistance.

But he is no longer talking only about treatment.

He is talking about where he wants to go.

What he wants to see.

What he wants to do with the days in front of him.

Cancer has forced Donel King to surrender control over much of his life.

It has not taken his sense of possibility.

“I’m alive,” he said. “God has spared me another day. And I’m just going to get up and do the best I can with that day.”

And for now, he is waiting for the next scan with one straightforward hope:

“My hope is that it’s not moving.”

The HEAL Collaborative is based in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, please visit: www.healcollaborative.org.

Related articles

Six Blocks That Changed the Conversation About Lung Health

A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

Support open, independent journalism. Your contribution helps us tell the stories that matter most.

Warnock’s $35 Insulin Cap Bill Clears Senate Committee, Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law

By Milton Kirby | Washington, D.C. | July 24, 2026

A bipartisan effort to make insulin more affordable for millions of Americans moved one step closer to becoming law this week as legislation led by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2026 would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month for Americans with private health insurance while helping uninsured patients obtain insulin for $35 or less..

The committee approved the measure with bipartisan support, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

For Georgia, where more than 12 percent of residents have diabetes and thousands more remain undiagnosed, the legislation could provide significant financial relief for families struggling with the rising cost of one of the nation’s most essential medications.

Expanding Affordable Insulin Beyond Medicare

The legislation builds on a major healthcare victory achieved in 2022, when Congress capped monthly insulin costs at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Warnock has since worked to extend those protections to every American who depends on insulin, regardless of age or insurance status.

“After years of effort, my bill to cap insulin at $35 a month for everyone is one step closer to becoming law,” Warnock said after the committee vote.

“No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they can’t afford insulin or don’t know where to get it.”

If enacted, the INSULIN Act would apply the same $35 monthly out-of-pocket limit to Americans covered by private insurance, closing one of the largest remaining gaps in insulin affordability.

New Resources for Uninsured Patients

The legislation also addresses the needs of Americans without health insurance.

A provision negotiated by Warnock would establish a 10-state pilot grant program that provides funding to community health centers to supply affordable insulin while connecting uninsured patients with ongoing medical care.

The bill would also create a nationalinsulin resource center and hotline to help uninsured individuals locate affordable insulin programs, financial assistance, and healthcare providers.

Supporters say the additional resources recognize that affordability alone is not enough. Many patients also need help finding available programs and navigating the healthcare system.

Rising Costs Continue to Burden Families

The legislation comes as insulin prices remain a significant financial challenge for many Americans.

According to the Health Care Cost Institute, the average price of a 30-day insulin supply nearly doubled between 2012 and 2021, increasing from $271 to $499.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes-related medical expenses and lost productivity total$412.9 billion each year, with diabetes accounting for one out of every four healthcare dollars spent in the United States.

For patients with Type 1 diabetes and many living with Type 2 diabetes, insulin is not optional. Without consistent access, missed doses can quickly lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

Years of Legislative Effort

Making insulin more affordable has been one of Warnock’s signature healthcare priorities since joining the Senate.

In 2023, Warnock partnered with Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana to introduce legislation extending the $35 monthly cap to all Americans. The two senators also released a report identifying what they called “Insulin Deserts,” counties where high diabetes rates overlap with large uninsured populations, making affordable insulin especially difficult to obtain.

The current legislation represents the latest step in that continuing effort.

Bipartisan Support Gives Bill Momentum

The INSULIN Act is co-led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Susan Collins of Maine and has attracted support from more than two dozen Democratic, Republican, and Independent senators.

At a time when healthcare legislation often divides Congress, supporters say the broad bipartisan coalition reflects growing agreement that access to lifesaving insulin should not depend on a family’s financial circumstances.

What Comes Next

The INSULIN Act now advances to the full Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to send the measure to the House of Representatives.

If ultimately approved by Congress and signed into law, the legislation would represent the most significant expansion of federal insulin affordability protections since the Medicare cap took effect in 2022.

For millions of Americans living with diabetes, supporters say the bill is about more than lowering prescription costs.

It is about ensuring that no one is forced to choose between paying their bills and obtaining the medication they need to stay alive.

Six Blocks That Changed the Conversation About Lung Health

A walk through Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood reveals personal stories of lung disease, caregiving and fear, showing why community conversations about screening matter.

A walk through Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood revealed stories of resilience, fear and hope before a community lung cancer screening event even begins.

By Milton Kirby | Philadelphia, PA | July 12, 2026

Six blocks.

That was all it took to remind me why community journalism still matters.

On a warm Friday afternoon, I walked the neighborhood surrounding Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, where residents will gather on Saturday, July 25th 10:00am – 12:30pm, for the Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation.

I wasn’t conducting a formal survey. I wasn’t knocking on doors.

I simply walked.

Two blocks along Ogontz Avenue. A turn onto 18th Street. Two more blocks through a neighborhood where families relaxed on front porches, neighbors washed garbage bins after a delayed pickup, and others returned home from work or afternoon errands.

Nothing about the neighborhood immediately suggested that conversations about lung health would soon unfold.

Yet before I completed my walk, I had heard stories about a punctured lung, years of asthma, fear of cancer screening, and the quiet burden carried by caregivers who often neglect their own health while caring for others.

Those conversations reminded me that every neighborhood has stories waiting to be heard. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down long enough to listen.

Looking Beyond Statistics

Public health reports can tell us how many people develop lung cancer each year. Researchers can identify risk factors and explain who qualifies for screening.

But statistics rarely introduce you to the people behind those numbers.

That afternoon, the people of Mt. Airy did.

Each conversation revealed a different path to lung disease and a different reason why community education matters.

No two stories were alike.

RB’s Journey Through Trauma and Recovery

One of the first residents I met was RB.

His lung problems did not begin with smoking.

Years ago, he survived a gunshot wound that pierced one of his lungs. Later, exposure to mold triggered asthma complications and recurring respiratory infections that led to repeated hospitalizations.

“There were times I was in the hospital every month,” he told me as he reflected on years of treatment and recovery.

Today, he continues receiving regular medical care and says he is doing much better than he once was. His story serves as a reminder that lung disease can develop for many reasons. Trauma, environmental exposure, chronic illness and other health conditions can all leave lasting effects on the lungs.

His experience challenged a common assumption that every conversation about lung health begins and ends with smoking.

It doesn’t.

A Conversation About Caregivers

As our conversation continued, another topic emerged.

Sitting next to RB was his companion, who has accepted responsibility for managing RB’s care.

Watching the two of them together reminded me of another caregiver who has shaped my own life.

I shared the story of my cousin, who devoted years to caring for my mother until she passed away on June 19 at the age of 95.

I gently encouraged the caregiver not to make the mistake of neglecting her own health while ensuring that RB gets all of his health needs cared for.

People who care for loved ones often remind others to see a doctor.

Sometimes they need someone to remind them to do the same.

Fear Can Become Another Risk Factor

A few houses down the block, I met Andre.

He told me he has smoked for about 20 years.

He also shared something healthcare professionals hear every day.

He has never been screened for lung cancer.

As we talked, the reason slowly emerged.

It wasn’t because he didn’t know screening existed.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t find a hospital.

Like many people, he was afraid of what screening might reveal.

Fear has a way of postponing difficult conversations.

Sometimes it postpones doctor visits as well.

Rather than criticize his hesitation, I invited him to attend the July 25 community conversation.

“Just come and listen,” I told him. “Nobody is going to make you do anything.”

Community health events give people an opportunity to ask questions without the pressure that sometimes comes with a medical appointment. Physicians, survivors and healthcare advocates can explain who qualifies for screening, how the process works and why finding lung cancer early often provides more treatment options.

Whether Andre attends remains his decision.

But our conversation reflected something many healthcare providers understand.

People cannot benefit from screening if fear prevents them from taking the first step.

Every Porch Has a Story

By the end of my walk, I realized I hadn’t interviewed dozens of residents.

I had only spoken with the people who happened to be outside enjoying the afternoon.

Their stories cannot represent an entire neighborhood.

Nor should they.

But together they painted a picture that statistics alone cannot provide.

One resident was living with the lasting effects of trauma and respiratory illness.

Another admitted avoiding screening because of fear.

A caregiver quietly balanced another person’s health while risking her own.

Three conversations.

Three different experiences.

Three reminders that every family encounters health challenges differently.

Why July 25 Matters

Those conversations help explain why HEAL Collaborative, in partnership with Amgen, is bringing Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0 directly into the Mt. Airy community. Together, the organizations are working to remove barriers to information by connecting residents with physicians, survivors, patient advocates and healthcare professionals in a welcoming community setting.

The free event will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, 6401 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19126.

Participants will learn about lung cancer risk factors, who qualifies for screening, the importance of early detection, available treatment options and local resources that can help people navigate their healthcare journey.

Shenika Bond, Regional Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy Engagement for HEAL Collaborative, said the goal is for participants to leave with more than information.

“We want people to leave with the confidence to talk with their personal physicians, request screening if they qualify, and become strong advocates for their own healthcare,” Bond said.

That confidence begins with asking questions.

It grows through understanding personal risk factors, learning when screening is appropriate, and having informed conversations with family members and healthcare providers.

The message shared throughout the initiative is straightforward: Anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer.

While smoking remains the leading risk factor, environmental exposures, occupational hazards, family history and certain medical conditions can also increase a person’s risk. Understanding those risks and knowing when to seek screening can lead to earlier detection, more treatment options and better outcomes.

More Than an Event

As journalists, we often measure success by stories published, photographs taken or events covered.

Walking through Mt. Airy reminded me to measure something else.

Not how many interviews I completed.

But how many conversations had begun.

Through partnerships like the one between HEAL Collaborative and Amgen, organizers hope those conversations that begin on neighborhood sidewalks will continue inside churches, doctors’ offices and family living rooms, where informed decisions about lung health can ultimately save lives.

If even one resident decides to ask a physician about lung cancer screening because of a conversation that started on a neighborhood sidewalk or outside a local church, then that walk accomplished far more than filling seats on July 25.

It demonstrated what community journalism is meant to do.

Connect people with information that can improve lives.

Sometimes, it may even help save one.

Related video

Philadelphia – Mt Airy Residents – Believe in lung cancer screening

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II- “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

Kaiser Permanente Expands ‘Building for Impact’ in Atlanta, Connecting Minority Contractors to Growing Healthcare Projects

Kaiser Permanente’s “Building for Impact” initiative is reshaping Georgia’s construction market, signaling major healthcare expansion and new opportunities. Industry leaders stress that strategic preparation, strong relationships, and operational excellence will determine which contractors are ready to compete as demand and investment accelerate across the region. themselves for long term success.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | July 6, 2026

Earlier this spring, at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta, Kaiser Permanente convened contractors, developers, business leaders, and community partners to discuss what it will take to compete for more than $70 million in current and projected investments across Georgia. Although the meeting has ended, the message remains timely as healthcare construction and supplier opportunities continue to expand across the state.

As Kaiser Permanente grows its footprint in Georgia, its Building for Impact initiative is preparing businesses for more than the next construction project. It is challenging contractors to think strategically, strengthen their operations and position themselves for long-term success in one of the state’s fastest-growing sectors.

The central question echoed throughout the program was straightforward: Who will be ready when opportunity arrives?

According to speakers, the answer depends less on access and more on preparation.

A Growing Market with Real Stakes

Marc A. Love, Vice President of National Contracting Strategy for Kaiser Permanente, outlined more than $70 million in active and projected investments tied to construction, supplier development and facility expansion throughout the Atlanta region.

With more than 466,000 members in Georgia and continued growth expected, Kaiser Permanente signaled a steady pipeline of work tied to healthcare infrastructure and modernization. The organization is now serving the largest membership base in its Georgia history, driven by continued demand for its integrated model of care.

But speakers emphasized that access to those opportunities is not automatic.

“People buy from people,” consultant Reggie Williams told attendees. “They buy from those who bring value and meet performance expectations.”

Strategy, Not Just Survival

Earnest Ellis – Todd Gray – Jamila Veasley

Keynote speaker Earnest Ellis, president of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and CEO of FS360, challenged attendees to rethink how they approach the construction business.

Ellis grounded his message in personal experience -growing up in an entrepreneurial family shaped by resilience and work ethic. His father, who lost his right arm in a farming accident and could not read or write, still outworked everyone around him. That example, Ellis said, removed any excuse to avoid hard challenges.

After careers at IBM, Verizon, and MCI, Ellis founded FS360 in 2008, his sixth entrepreneurial venture. Today, the firm operates in Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX, generating $35 million in net revenue in 2025 and delivering more than $270 million in completed work.

“Too many small businesses think tactically, just chasing the next contract,” Ellis said. “You have to think strategically. Pick your markets. Build expertise. Develop relationships that last.”

He underscored the urgency with industry realities:

  • 50% of businesses fail within five years
  • 65% fail within ten years
  • Underrepresented firms account for just 21% of construction companies despite representing 42% of the population

Still, Ellis framed the moment as one of opportunity.

“This is a $1.3 trillion industry,” he said. “And right now, it’s short more than 500,000 workers. There is more work than people to do it.”

He also emphasized purpose over pay, sharing that his Yale-educated son turned down a high-paying corporate career in favor of work he found meaningful.

“Excellence is what keeps us in business,” Ellis said.

Healthcare Construction Requires Precision

Elise Webster, Preconstruction Manager, WEBMyers Construction emphasized that healthcare construction carries a higher level of complexity than traditional projects.

“You’re building while people are being treated,” she explained. “That changes everything your schedule, your safety protocols, your coordination.”

Firms that can manage phased construction, infection control standards, and off-hour work schedules are better positioned for long-term opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Relationships Still Drive Opportunity

Despite formal initiatives like Building for Impact, speakers repeatedly stressed that relationships remain the foundation of the industry.

“It takes seven interactions to make an impression,” Ellis said. “One meeting won’t do it.”

Contractors were encouraged to stay engaged, complete Kaiser’s prequalification process, and remain visible even when contracts are not immediately awarded.

Persistence, not proximity, often determines success.

Community Impact Beyond Contracts

Kaiser leaders emphasized that the initiative extends beyond construction projects to broader community outcomes.

Jamila Veasley, Senior Director of Program Management and Strategy Execution, reinforced that vision.

“Who we build with and who we work with matters,” Veasley said. “What we do with Building for Impact supports more than individual projects – it supports economic empowerment, workforce development, and stronger communities.”

One example highlighted a project where a construction team used a local church as its operations base, renovating the space and paying above-market rent, leaving lasting value behind.

“This is what building for impact means,” Todd Gray said. “Not just projects, but community investment.”

Be Ready or Be Left Behind

The closing message was consistent across speakers: opportunity is expanding, but readiness will determine who benefits.

Contractors were urged to:

  • Strengthen internal systems and financial controls
  • Focus on specific market segments
  • Build relationships intentionally
  • Deliver consistent, high-quality work

Kaiser’s long-standing partnership with NAMC—spanning more than 15 years reflects a continued commitment to building capacity among minority contractors through training, networking, and strategic development.

As Georgia’s healthcare sector continues to grow, speakers agreed that success will belong to contractors who invest in relationships, build strong internal systems, and prepare long before opportunities arrive. For minority-owned businesses, the message was clear: the next major project may already be on the horizon, but readiness begins today.

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A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

By Milton Kirby | Birmingham, AL | July 4, 2026

When Francina Morales rang the celebration bell at Birmingham’s Kirkland Clinic, the sound marked more than the end of her final chemotherapy treatment. It celebrated another milestone in an ongoing fight against lung cancer and offered hope to others facing the same uncertain road.

Surrounded by members of her medical team, family and friends, Morales celebrated completing chemotherapy just four months after surgeons removed most of her right lung because of lung cancer. While her treatment journey continues with twelve months of immunotherapy, she chose to share her experience publicly to encourage others to recognize symptoms early, seek medical attention and never lose hope.

Since recording that message, Morales has completed her immunotherapy, marking another significant milestone in her cancer journey.

“This is me at Kirkland Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, ringing the Celebration Bell,” Morales said in a video shared following her final chemotherapy treatment. “I just finished my last round of chemo, and it is cause for celebration.”

Her story reflects the message organizers hope will resonate throughout Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation on Lung Cancer, a free educational forum scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at The Purpose Center at Dannon, 2324 Fifth Avenue North in Birmingham.

Hosted by HEAL Collaborative in partnership with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and supported by Amgen, the event will bring together physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers and community advocates to discuss lung cancer screening, advances in treatment and resources available to families throughout Alabama.

A Diagnosis She Never Expected

Morales says one of the biggest misconceptions about lung cancer is that it only affects smokers.

She never smoked.

Yet she found herself confronting a diagnosis that required major surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing immunotherapy.

Before doctors discovered the cancer, Morales experienced several symptoms that she now encourages others not to ignore, including extreme shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, pain in her leg, loss of appetite and pain in her side.

“I was never a smoker,” she said. “I am sharing this now to encourage smokers to stop smoking because your odds are greater than a non-smoker like me. Believe me. You do not want this.”

Her experience reinforces one of the central messages physicians and patient advocates have emphasized throughout HEAL Collaborative’s educational campaign: anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer.

Although smoking remains the leading risk factor, doctors say lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked, making awareness of symptoms and appropriate screening critically important.

Turning Experience Into Education

Howard Mosby, chief operating officer of HEAL Collaborative, said community conversations like the July 18 forum are designed to connect medical expertise with the real-life experiences of patients and families.

“Far too many lives are lost because lung cancer is diagnosed too late,” Mosby said. “This community conversation is about bringing trusted experts and lived experiences together to help people understand their risk, navigate available resources and ultimately save lives.”

Throughout the morning, nationally recognized physicians, researchers and patient advocates will discuss lung cancer screening, biomarker testing, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, mental health, veterans’ lung health and financial resources available to patients and families.

Organizers hope participants leave with practical information, greater confidence and a better understanding of how early detection and informed decision-making can improve outcomes.

Finding Strength in the Journey

Morales acknowledges that cancer affects far more than the body.

“It is the master of stress, anxiety and depression,” she said. “Knowing that there is something inside your body trying to kill you.”

Even so, her message remains one of gratitude and hope.

She thanked God for guiding her surgeons through a successful operation and expressed appreciation for the healthcare professionals, friends and family members who have supported her throughout treatment, including her son, Joseph Bryant, her sister Carolyn Bailey-Fain, cousin Willie Fedrick, Cynthia Davis-Lockhart and Dorothy Baxter.

Having completed immunotherapy and rung the bell, Morales hopes others will listen carefully when their bodies signal that something may be wrong.

“Early detection can make all the difference,” she said.

Stories That Save Lives

Joseph Bryant, Morales’ son and one of the community leaders participating in the July 18 forum, believes personal experiences often reach people more deeply than statistics alone.

“You can talk about clinical facts all day, but nothing reaches people like hearing from those who’ve actually lived through cancer and found a way to overcome it,” Bryant said. “Seeing real people who’ve been touched by cancer and are still living their lives to the fullest is the strongest message we can give the community.”

For Morales, ringing the celebration bell marked the completion of one important chapter.

The next chapter of Morales’ journey has already begun. Having completed surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, she now hopes her experience will encourage others to pay attention to their health, seek medical care when symptoms appear, and remember that a lung cancer diagnosis is not the end of the story.

The July 18 Community Conversation on Lung Cancer is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and lunch will be provided. Organizers encourage residents, caregivers and families to attend, ask questions and learn more about the resources available to help prevent, detect and treat lung cancer.

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

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Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

The St. Louis Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0 symposium will connect residents with experts, survivors, and resources focused on early detection and care.

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 16, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons – Part III

For many families, lung cancer conversations do not begin in a doctor’s office. They begin at home after months of unexplained coughing, fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath that slowly becomes impossible to ignore. Sometimes the symptoms are dismissed. Sometimes fear delays action. And sometimes people simply do not know where to begin.

Organizers behind the upcoming “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation” symposium in St. Louis say that uncertainty is exactly what they hope to change. The June 27 event, hosted by Five Star Center, Inc. in partnership with the HEAL Collaborative and supported by Amgen, is designed to bring physicians, advocates, survivors, and residents together for one purpose: helping communities move from awareness to action.

After weeks of public education surrounding risk factors, symptoms, and stigma, organizers say the next step is empowering residents with information, support, and clear pathways toward care. Their message has remained consistent throughout planning: “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.”

More Than a Health Event

The symposium is intentionally structured as more than a traditional medical seminar. It is a community conversation, one designed to meet residents where they are, especially in neighborhoods where access to healthcare information and preventive services has historically been uneven.

Attendance is expected to reach 120 residents. The free event will include lunch, educational resources, survivor perspectives, interactive discussions, and opportunities for attendees to speak directly with healthcare professionals about lung cancer risks and screening eligibility.

While low-dose CT scans will not be performed onsite, clinicians will help residents determine whether they may qualify for screening and how to begin conversations with their medical providers. For many people, that first step can be life changing. Countless individuals who qualify for screening never pursue it because they do not realize they are eligible, lack consistent healthcare access, or fear what a diagnosis might reveal.

The Importance of Survivor Voices

One of the most powerful elements of the symposium may come not from physicians, but from survivors themselves. Two to three speakers are expected to share personal stories of diagnosis, treatment, fear, uncertainty, and survival.

Their voices matter because statistics alone cannot capture the emotional reality of the disease. Survivor testimony also helps dismantle one of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding lung cancer the belief that patients somehow deserve blame for their illness.

Too often, people diagnosed with lung cancer are asked whether they smoked before they are asked how they are feeling. That question can deepen shame at the very moment patients need support most. Organizers hope survivor stories will humanize the disease and encourage residents to seek medical guidance earlier rather than later.

Why Community Conversations Matter

Improving lung cancer outcomes requires more than medicine — it requires trust. Communities must feel safe enough to ask questions, discuss symptoms honestly, and pursue preventive care before emergencies develop.

That process can be especially difficult in communities that have experienced longstanding disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. St. Louis was selected intentionally because Black and Brown residents continue to face disproportionately low screening rates and lower survival outcomes tied to lung cancer. Economic barriers, insurance limitations, environmental exposure, transportation challenges, and delayed access to care all contribute to those disparities.

The symposium acknowledges that health challenges rarely exist in isolation. In addition to discussions about pulmonology care and screening eligibility, the event will include conversations about:

  • navigation support
  • medical debt
  • stigma in healthcare
  • the future role of artificial intelligence in lung cancer care

These topics matter because families often struggle with far more than the disease itself. Navigating appointments, insurance systems, treatment decisions, transportation, and financial pressures can quickly become overwhelming.

Education as Prevention

Throughout this three-part series, one theme has remained constant: early detection saves lives. Lung cancer survival rates improve dramatically when the disease is identified before it spreads. Yet many diagnoses still occur at later stages because symptoms were dismissed, misunderstood, or never evaluated.

Organizers believe education itself can become a form of prevention. Helping residents understand warning signs, risk factors, and screening conversations may encourage earlier medical attention long before symptoms become severe.

This educational focus is especially important because many people still incorrectly believe lung cancer only affects smokers. In reality, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, hazardous chemicals, pollution, genetics, and occupational environments can also increase risk. Public understanding has not fully caught up with that reality, leaving many individuals unaware of their own vulnerability.

A Different Kind of Public Health Conversation

At its core, the St. Louis symposium reflects a broader shift in public health: awareness campaigns must do more than distribute information, they must create environments where people feel safe enough to engage with difficult topics honestly. That includes acknowledging fear, confronting stigma, and recognizing that many families have lost loved ones after symptoms were discovered too late.

The goal of “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0” is not to alarm residents, but to encourage earlier conversations that could ultimately improve outcomes. For some attendees, the event may offer reassurance. For others, it may be the first step toward asking a doctor about symptoms they have ignored. And for some families, organizers hope it may ultimately help save lives.

The Conversation Continues

Across this series, the discussion surrounding lung cancer has moved from misconception, to medical understanding, to community response.
Part I challenged the stigma and silence surrounding the disease.
Part II focused on symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection.
Part III brings the conversation back to the community, where awareness becomes action and education becomes empowerment.

Organizers hope residents leave the symposium understanding one thing above all else:
Lung cancer is not someone else’s issue. It is a public health issue, a community issue, and a human issue.
And conversations that begin with awareness today may help create survival stories tomorrow.

To Register

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II- “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Related video

Support open, independent journalism. Your contribution helps us tell the stories that matter most.

Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Learn how your lungs work, the early warning signs of lung cancer, and who should get screened. Understanding your respiratory system can save lives.

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 9, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons – Part II

Part I of this series explored the misconceptions surrounding lung cancer, Part II turns inward, to the lungs themselves. Understanding how the respiratory system works is not just a biology lesson. It’s a form of self‑protection. When you know how your lungs function, you can recognize when something isn’t right.

How Your Lungs Keep You Alive

Every cell in the body needs oxygen. The lungs deliver it. When you inhale, air travels through the nose or mouth, down the throat, and into the windpipe. From there, it branches into the bronchial tubes, which divide again and again until they reach the bronchioles, tiny passageways that end in clusters of air sacs called alveoli.

Inside these microscopic sacs, oxygen enters the bloodstream while carbon dioxide leaves it. This exchange happens thousands of times a day, without conscious effort. The diaphragm, a strong muscle beneath the lungs, contracts and relaxes to pull air in and push it out.

The lungs also filter harmful substances, regulate air temperature, and support the sense of smell. They are constantly working, and constantly exposed to the outside world.

How Lung Cancer Develops

Lung cancer begins when cells in the lung mutate. These mutations can be caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, hazardous chemicals, or genetic factors. Once mutated, cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that damage healthy tissue and interfere with breathing.

The challenge is that early lung cancer often causes no symptoms. By the time people notice something is wrong, the disease may already be advanced.

The Warning Signs We Ignore

The body sends signals long before a crisis. But many people dismiss them as aging, allergies, or the remnants of a cold.

Warning signs include:

  • A cough lasting more than eight weeks
  • Shortness of breath after little or no exertion
  • Chronic mucus or phlegm production
  • Wheezing or noisy breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain lasting a month or more

These symptoms do not automatically mean lung cancer, but they do mean something is wrong. Early detection is key to successful treatment, and recognizing these signs can save lives.

Who Should Be Screened?

Low‑dose CT scans are the gold standard for early lung cancer detection. Screening is recommended for people who meet certain criteria, including age, smoking history, and risk factors. But many people who qualify have never been screened, often because they don’t know they’re eligible.

The upcoming symposium will offer onsite screening eligibility assessments, giving residents a chance to learn whether they qualify and how to access screening.

Knowledge Is Power

Part II of this series is about empowerment. When people understand how their lungs work, they can better protect them. When they know the warning signs, they can seek help sooner. And when they understand screening, they can take the first step toward early detection.

In Part III, we turn to the community and to the event bringing these lessons to life.

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

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Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 5, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons — Part I

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in America, yet many people still struggle to talk about it openly.

For decades, public understanding of lung cancer has been shaped by silence, stigma, and a persistent misconception: that only smokers get the disease. Physicians, survivors, and community health advocates preparing for a St. Louis symposium say that belief has delayed diagnoses and prevented too many people from recognizing their own risk.

As the HEAL Collaborative prepares for the June 27 community symposium, “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0,” local partners Five Star Center, Inc. and Southside Wellness Center are helping connect residents to the conversation. The event will be held at the International Institute of St. Louis and is supported by Amgen. Together, those efforts are focused on one message above all others:

“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.”

It is a simple statement, but one that challenges decades of misunderstanding surrounding one of America’s most lethal diseases.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, claiming more lives each year than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Yet despite its impact, awareness surrounding lung cancer risk, symptoms, and screening remains dangerously uneven, particularly in underserved communities.

Many people still believe they are not at risk.

Others delay seeking care because they fear what a diagnosis might mean.

And some never discuss symptoms at all until the disease has already advanced.

For those involved in the St. Louis symposium, changing that reality begins with changing the conversation itself.

More Than One Cause

Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 90 percent of cases. But medical experts stress that smoking is not the only risk factor, and not the only story.

Exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and certain petroleum products can all increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Genetic history can also play a role, even for individuals who have never smoked a cigarette.

In many cases, exposure may have occurred decades earlier through industrial work environments, household conditions, or long-term environmental exposure.

For some families, the danger was never fully understood at the time.

That complexity is one reason health advocates say public education remains critical.

“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer” is not simply a slogan for the symposium. It is a direct challenge to the misconception that only one type of person develops the disease.

The reality, health advocates say, is far broader and far more personal.

The Disease That Often Hides

One of the greatest dangers of lung cancer is that symptoms frequently appear late.

By the time warning signs become impossible to ignore, the disease may already have spread beyond the lungs, making treatment more difficult and survival rates lower.

Early symptoms can also resemble ordinary health problems people routinely dismiss:

• a lingering cough
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness
• chronic mucus production
• wheezing
• unexplained chest pain
• coughing up blood

Sometimes people assume breathing difficulties are simply part of aging. Others attribute persistent coughing to allergies, smoking history, or seasonal illness.

But health advocates warn that ignoring those symptoms can carry serious consequences.

That is one reason the St. Louis symposium will focus heavily on education, awareness, and screening eligibility conversations designed to help residents better understand when medical evaluation may be necessary.

While low-dose CT screenings themselves will not be conducted onsite, health professionals will be available to help attendees understand screening eligibility and connect attendees with additional healthcare resources and follow-up pathways.

“The goal is not to frighten people,” said Rachael Jones, Regional Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy Engagement for the HEAL Collaborative. “The goal is to make people aware of the resources available to help them access screening, understand their risk, and seek treatment early if needed.”

It is to encourage earlier conversations before symptoms become life threatening.

The Weight of Stigma

Early detection results in better outcomes.

Lung cancer carries a unique stigma that many survivors and families say separates it from other major diseases.

Patients are often asked one question almost immediately after revealing their diagnosis:

“Did you smoke?”

For some families, that question can feel less like concern and more like blame.

Advocates say that stigma has real consequences. It can discourage people from seeking screening, delay medical appointments, and isolate patients emotionally during treatment.

Some individuals avoid discussing symptoms because they fear judgment.

Others incorrectly assume that if they never smoked, they are automatically safe.

The result is that misinformation and silence continue to shape public understanding of the disease.

Health advocates behind the St. Louis symposium hope to confront those misconceptions directly by creating a space where residents can ask questions openly, hear from survivors, and receive information without shame or fear.

The event is expected to bring together physicians, advocates, survivors, and approximately 150 community members for discussions focused on screening awareness, navigation support, treatment conversations, and the future of lung cancer care.

Two to three survivor speakers are also expected to participate, helping personalize a disease that statistics alone often fail to fully explain.

Why St. Louis Matters

According to the HEAL Collaborative, St. Louis was selected intentionally.

St Louis faces significant healthcare disparities

The June 27 symposium marks the collaborative’s second visit to St. Louis. At the previous event, 87 community members attended and seven were identified as eligible for lung cancer screening. Health advocates say those figures demonstrate both the value and the challenge of community outreach: every person connected to potentially life-saving information matters, yet many residents who could benefit from screening information and healthcare navigation services may still remain unreached.

Like many American cities, St. Louis continues to face significant healthcare disparities tied to access, economics, environmental exposure, and long-standing inequities in medical outcomes.

Black and Brown communities in particular often experience lower screening rates and poorer lung cancer survival outcomes.

Those disparities are part of the reason health advocates believe community-based education efforts remain so important.

Events like “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0” are designed not only to raise awareness, but also to help close gaps in information and access before diagnoses become more severe.

The symposium will include conversations on pulmonology care, navigation support, medical debt, the role of artificial intelligence in future lung cancer treatment, and the impact stigma can have on care and outcomes.

Lunch will be provided, and organizers say the free event is intended to be welcoming, accessible, and community centered.

At its core, the symposium is built around a belief that education itself can become a form of prevention.

A Conversation That Cannot Wait

For many Americans, lung cancer remains something that happens to “other people.”

But advocates say that perception continues to cost lives.

Part I of this three-part series begins with the misconceptions because health advocates believe understanding risk is the first step toward improving outcomes.

In Part II, we will look deeper inside the lungs themselves, exploring how lung cancer develops, how symptoms are often overlooked, and why early detection can dramatically improve survival chances.

For now, the message symposium leaders hope residents carry with them is straightforward:

Lung cancer is not simply a smoker’s disease.

It is a human disease.

And it is one communities can no longer afford to ignore.

For more information HEAL Collaborative

To Register

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Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

Atlanta Hypertension Initiative Launches Coordinated Push to Reduce Heart Attacks and Strokes Across Metro Region

The Atlanta Hypertension Initiative is bringing health systems, churches, and community groups together to improve blood pressure control for more than 500,000 adults.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 29, 2026

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because millions of people live with the condition without knowing it. Left untreated, hypertension can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other serious health complications.

In metro Atlanta, a growing coalition of health care providers, community organizations, faith leaders, public agencies, and national health organizations is working to change that reality through the Atlanta Hypertension Initiative (AHI), an ambitious effort designed to improve blood pressure control for more than 500,000 adults by 2030.

Built on a mission “to advance cardiovascular health for all and reduce related health inequities by building a lasting collaborative effort for Atlanta,” the initiative represents one of the region’s most comprehensive approaches to tackling cardiovascular disease.

Unlike traditional awareness campaigns, AHI combines community outreach, clinical improvement, education, training, and collaboration into a long-term strategy aimed at creating lasting change.

A Region Facing a Serious Health Challenge

The need is substantial.

Nationally, nearly half of U.S. adults have hypertension. Yet only about one in four has the condition under control. The consequences are severe. High blood pressure remains one of the leading causes of heart attacks, strokes, and preventable deaths across the country.

The burden is especially significant in metro Atlanta.

According to AHI data, approximately one-third of adults across the region report having high blood pressure. In some communities, the numbers are even higher. Clayton County reports a self-reported hypertension prevalence of 40.3 percent, while DeKalb County stands at 35.5 percent, Fulton County at 33.7 percent, and Gwinnett County at 32.4 percent.

Health leaders note that the actual burden is likely even greater because many people remain unaware they have hypertension until serious complications develop.

The initiative has identified Fulton, DeKalb, Douglas, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties as priority areas for concentrated engagement and support while continuing to welcome participation from organizations and residents throughout the broader 11-county metropolitan region.

A Collective Effort

The Atlanta Hypertension Initiative is grounded in a simple belief: no single organization can solve the region’s hypertension crisis alone.

The initiative brings together partners from public health, health care, academia, government, faith communities, and community-based organizations to advance equitable hypertension control through collaboration, capacity building, and clinical quality improvement.

AHI is co-led by the CDC Foundation, the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI), the American Medical Association, and the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association, with foundational support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Together, these organizations are working to improve awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control while addressing many of the barriers that contribute to health disparities throughout metro Atlanta.

More Than Awareness

One of the initiative’s distinguishing features is its emphasis on providing practical tools and resources that residents can use to improve their health.

Through community outreach programs, AHI supports blood pressure screenings, patient education programs, health fairs, and community events designed to help residents better understand hypertension and the steps they can take to manage it.

AHI classroom discussion

The initiative also promotes innovative programs such as “Low Pressure Parties,” community-based events that make learning about blood pressure, nutrition, physical activity, and healthy living engaging and accessible.

Residents can also benefit from educational materials, connections to care, and resources that help them navigate the health care system and better manage chronic conditions.

For organizations and health care providers, AHI offers technical assistance, training opportunities, quality improvement resources, peer-learning collaboratives, and implementation support.

Expanding Access to Home Monitoring

A major focus of the initiative is increasing access to self-measured blood pressure monitoring.

Research has shown that individuals who regularly monitor their blood pressure at home are often better able to manage hypertension and work with their health care providers to improve outcomes.

To support that effort, AHI helps distribute validated home blood pressure monitors and provides education on how to use them correctly. The initiative also offers training and technical assistance to organizations interested in implementing self-monitoring programs.

Community health workers play an important role in this strategy by helping residents understand their readings, connect with care, and stay engaged in treatment plans.

Reaching Communities Where They Are

AHI places particular emphasis on reaching populations disproportionately affected by hypertension, especially Black adults.

One of the initiative’s key outreach tools is the Live to the Beat campaign, a national effort designed to encourage Black adults ages 35 to 54 to take small, manageable steps to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.

By partnering with trusted community leaders, churches, neighborhood organizations, and local events, AHI seeks to bring health education directly into the communities where people live, work, worship, and gather.

Three Strategic Pillars

The initiative’s work is organized around three strategic pillars.

The first pillar, Community Capacity-Building, focuses on strengthening partnerships, infrastructure, and resources that support hypertension prevention and control.

The second pillar, Community Outreach and Campaigns, seeks to increase awareness and understanding of hypertension through culturally relevant education and engagement.

The third pillar, Clinical Quality Improvement Support, helps health systems and providers implement evidence-based practices that improve diagnosis, treatment, and blood pressure control.

Together, these pillars create a coordinated approach that spans both community and clinical settings.

Building a Network of Champions

Organizations can engage with the initiative as Participants or as Champions.

Participants stay informed, attend trainings, and access resources. Champions take a more active role by making measurable commitments to improve hypertension control through education, screenings, outreach, quality improvement efforts, and other evidence-based strategies.

Those commitments form the foundation of the initiative’s collective impact model, allowing organizations to contribute in ways that match their mission, resources, and capacity.

AHI blood pressure testing

Early Results Show Momentum

Although still in its early years, the initiative has already demonstrated significant progress.

According to AHI, more than 300 individual members and champions have joined the effort, representing more than 90 organizations throughout metro Atlanta.

The initiative has conducted more than 5,700 community blood pressure screenings, distributed nearly 300 home blood pressure monitors, secured 229 hypertension-control commitments, hosted dozens of trainings and learning events, and awarded clinic stipends to support self-measured blood pressure programs.

Several participating clinics have also achieved hypertension control rates of 70 percent or higher.

Looking Ahead

The Atlanta Hypertension Initiative’s long-term vision is straightforward but ambitious: a heart-healthy metro Atlanta where every resident has the knowledge, resources, and support needed to achieve and maintain healthy blood pressure.

As the initiative moves forward, leaders plan to expand the number of active champions, strengthen community and clinical interventions, increase public awareness efforts, improve data collection, and deepen collaboration across sectors.

The challenge remains significant. Hypertension often develops without symptoms and can go undetected for years.

Yet AHI leaders believe meaningful progress is possible when health systems, community organizations, churches, employers, and residents work together.

Through education, screenings, home monitoring, quality improvement, and community engagement, the Atlanta Hypertension Initiative is pursuing a simple but ambitious goal: reducing heart attacks and strokes while helping hundreds of thousands of metro Atlantans live longer, healthier lives.

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Inside the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo — Part 6

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo expands its legacy of community care through a new partnership with Guardant Health, bringing life‑saving colorectal cancer screening and education directly to Black communities.

Riding for Our Lives: How the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Is Expanding Its Legacy of Community Care Through a New Partnership With Guardant Health

By Milton Kirby | Memphis, TN | May 1, 2026

For forty‑two years, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) has been more than a showcase of Black cowboy excellence. It has been a cultural institution, a traveling classroom, a family reunion, and a lifeline — a place where heritage is preserved, children are affirmed, and communities gather to celebrate themselves. Long before “community engagement” became a corporate buzzword, BPIR was already doing the work: educating youth, supporting families, creating safe spaces, and showing up in cities where resources were thin but hope was abundant.

That legacy continues today through the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation (BPIRF), whose mission is rooted in value‑driven philanthropy and whose vision is clear: preserving heritage, empowering communities, and inspiring generations. Since 1987, the Foundation has delivered health and wellness programs, STEM initiatives, scholarships, senior support, emotional‑intelligence workshops, and anti‑violence education across the country. Its values, generosity, compassion, empathy, equity, inclusion — are not slogans. They are the operating system.

So, when BPIR announced a new partnership with Guardant Health, a trusted leader in blood-based cancer tests for more than a decade, as part of its “Riding Across America for Community Health” initiative, it wasn’t a pivot. It was a continuation.
It was BPIR doing what BPIR has always done: meeting the community where it is and bringing life‑saving information directly to the people who need it most.

The Heartbeat of the Mission: Rodeo for Kidz Sake

If you want to understand BPIR’s soul, you start with the children.

The Rodeo for Kidz Sake (RFKS) program is one of the most powerful expressions of BPIR’s values, an immersive, educational, joy‑filled introduction to Black cowboys and cowgirls, Western history, and the “cowboy mystique” that shapes childhood imagination. For many inner‑city students, RFKS is their first time seeing a horse up close, touching an animal, or witnessing Black excellence in a space they never knew belonged to them.

On Friday, April 10, nearly 4,000 students filled the AgriCenter Showplace Arena in Memphis. They laughed, learned, asked questions, and saw themselves reflected in a history that has too often been erased. RFKS events now take place in Denver, Memphis, and Washington, D.C./Maryland and for many children, the experience is life‑changing.

Photo by Milton Kirby – For Kidz Sake

Margo Wade‑LaDrew, National Development / Sponsorship Director told me this as cowboys and cowgirls streamed past us, moving through the lines to enter the arena for Saturday night’s show a reminder that BPIR’s commitment to community isn’t theoretical. It lives in the dust, the boots, the laughter, and the anticipation of families gathering for a night of culture and competition.

“The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is committed to empowering and uplifting communities across the country through dynamic outreach initiatives. We focus on promoting health, education, emotional intelligence, life skills, career development, anti‑bullying, and anti‑violence awareness,” she said. “This new partnership with Guardant Health is in total alignment with that legacy.”

RFKS is the heartbeat of that commitment — a reminder that BPIR’s work is not just about preserving the past, but preparing the next generation to thrive.

A Longstanding Commitment to Health and Healing

BPIRF’s health outreach didn’t begin with Guardant Health.
For years, the Foundation has delivered timely education on:

  • COVID‑19 and flu vaccination
  • Domestic and community violence prevention
  • Anti‑bullying and emotional intelligence
  • Mental health and suicide prevention
  • Breast cancer, prostate health, diabetes, and high blood pressure

Through partnerships with Anti‑Violence Ventures and the Black Beauty & Wellness Foundation, BPIRF has created safe spaces for emotional expression, healing, and empowerment — reaching both men and women with culturally grounded resources.

This is the context that makes the Guardant partnership meaningful.
BPIR wasn’t looking for a sponsor.
It was looking for alignment.
And it found it.

The Crisis: Colorectal Cancer in Black America

Colorectal cancer is the second‑leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

Photo by Milton Kirby – Guardant Shield


For Black Americans, the burden is even heavier:

  • 20% higher incidence
  • 40% higher mortality
  • More likely to be diagnosed at a younger age
  • More likely to be diagnosed at a later stage

The difference between early and late detection is staggering:

  • 91% survival when caught early
  • 13% survival when caught late

We don’t fully understand why colorectal cancer behaves more aggressively in Black patients. But we do know this: early detection saves lives.

And that is where Guardant Health enters the story.

Shield Across America: Innovation Meets the Arena

On April 11, 2026, the Guardant Health mobile colon cancer screening education tour bus rolled into Memphis to join BPIR’s tour stop, marking a milestone in the “Riding Across America for Community Health” initiative. The bus is part of Shield Across America, a nationwide effort to expand access to colorectal cancer screening and education about Shield, the first and only test FDA‑approved as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer for average‑risk adults 45 and older.

Shield is:

  • non‑invasive
  • accessible
  • covered by Medicare, and the VA Community Care Network
  • designed to meet people where they are

For communities facing systemic barriers to healthcare including Black Americans this partnership is more than symbolic. It is lifesaving.

Courtesy photo – Sam Asgarian, Guardant Health’s vice president of clinical development for screening

The Science Behind Shield: A Conversation With Dr. Sam Asgarian

To understand the test’s impact, I spoke with Dr. Sam Asgarian, Guardant Health’s vice president of clinical development for screening. He explained that Shield’s FDA approval was built on one of the largest colorectal cancer screening studies ever conducted.

In 2019, Guardant launched the ECLIPSE Study, enrolling more than 20,000 Americans across the country. The goal was not just size – it was representation.

“We made sure the study matched the demographics of the United States,” Asgarian said. “Not just white participants, not just white and Black participants — but a true reflection of the country.”

The results were strong:

  • 83% detection rate for colorectal cancers
  • 10% false‑positive rate
  • Consistent performance across ethnicities

For Black families who have historically been excluded from clinical trials, this matters.

Cost, Coverage, and the Reality of Access

Eligible Medicare Part B or Fee for Service (FFS) patients will have $0 out-of-pocket cost for the Shield test. Medicare Advantage patients may be subject to co-pays, co-insurances and deductibles, depending on their specific plan. Veterans have zero copay through VA Community Care.

Coverage varies depending on private insurance.

But here’s where Guardant does something unusual:
They don’t leave patients to navigate the insurance maze alone.

“Every time a test is ordered, we reach out to patients,” Asgarian said. “We tell them what we think their coverage will be. We work with insurance companies. We help with financial assistance. We don’t want people going through that alone.”

As someone who has had two colonoscopies myself, I asked whether people like me could switch to the blood test going forward.

“It’s entirely up to you and your physician,” he said. “You have options now.”

Optionality saves lives.

Memphis: What Happened on the Ground

The Shield Across America tour launched in Las Vegas in March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Since then, it has made several stops across the country navigating festivals, charity walks, and any event with enough space to park a 45‑foot mobile lab. The BPIR was a natural partnership for the tour.

Outside the arena, I saw a steady flow of people approaching the Shield Across America. Inside, Guardant had a table set up for conversations, questions, and education. I didn’t see the table myself — I was photographing from the opposite side of the arena — but the team reported strong engagement.

Even a few hundred screenings can shift outcomes in a community.

Looking Ahead: Atlanta and Beyond

When I asked about the next stop, Asgarian said the team was still finalizing the Atlanta layout, but that the latest information could be found at ShieldCancerScreen.com.

BPIR is uniquely positioned to make this work.
The rodeo is already a family event.
Adding health engagement to the pre‑show atmosphere is a natural fit.

This is not a one‑off partnership.
It is the beginning of a sustained health equity effort.

The Human Barrier: Fear, Anxiety, and Avoidance

Asgarian said something that stayed with me:

“People aren’t avoiding screening because they don’t care. They’re afraid. They’ve had bad experiences. They don’t trust the system. They don’t know what’s available.”

This is why meeting people at the rodeo matters.
When people are in a space they love — surrounded by culture, joy, and community — they are more open to engaging with healthcare.

BPIR becomes the bridge between fear and action.

The Role of Trusted Media

When I asked what Truth Seekers Journal could do to strengthen the partnership, Asgarian didn’t hesitate:

“There’s so much noise in the world. Breakthroughs get drowned out. When people hear about this from a trusted source — your publication — it means more. It pushes them to act.”

That is the responsibility of Black media:
to amplify what saves us, not just what threatens us.

Colorectal cancer is the second‑leading cancer killer.
But unlike many cancers, early detection changes everything.

This is breakthrough technology.
This is life‑saving access.
This is information our community deserves.

Closing: Riding for Our Lives

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has always been about more than competition. It is about culture, community, and care. It is about honoring the past while protecting the future. It is about showing up; for children, for families, for elders, for each other.

Now, through its partnership with Guardant Health, BPIR is riding for something even deeper: our lives.

Preserving heritage.
Empowering communities.
Inspiring generations.
Protecting futures. One family, one child, one screening, one city at a time.

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Atlanta Marks Major Housing Milestone with Opening of The Beacon at Cooper Street

Atlanta celebrates opening of The Beacon at Cooper Street, marking 500 rapid housing units delivered to address homelessness through innovative modular construction and community partnerships.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | April 17, 2026

Atlanta leaders, community members, and housing advocates gathered this week in the Mechanicsville neighborhood to celebrate a major milestone in the city’s fight against homelessness: the ribbon cutting of The Beacon at Cooper Street, the final development needed to reach the city’s goal of 500 rapid housing units.

Mayor Andre Dickens called the moment “promises made and promises kept,” emphasizing that the project represents more than just construction.

“This work is not just about numbers,” Dickens said. “It represents 500 opportunities, 500 lives, and 500 chances at stability and dignity.”

Mayor Andre Dickens The Beacon @ Coopers Street – Photo by Milton Kirby

The Beacon at Cooper Street includes two multi-story buildings with 100 modular studio units, each designed to provide safe, supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The development also includes on-site offices for case management, mental health services, and other support systems aimed at helping residents rebuild their lives.

A Citywide Effort

The project is part of Atlanta’s broader Rapid Housing Initiative, a strategy launched by the Dickens administration to address homelessness by quickly converting underutilized city-owned land into permanent supportive housing.

From its earliest days, the initiative relied on partnerships across government, nonprofit organizations, developers, and the private sector.

“This is what it looks like when we listen, when we engage, and when we build together,” Dickens said during the ceremony.

City officials highlighted earlier developments in the initiative, including The Melody, a container-based housing community that gained international recognition, and Waterworks Village, a modular apartment complex delivered in record time.

Community Support in Mechanicsville

Leaders also praised the Mechanicsville community for embracing the project, noting that neighborhood support played a key role in its success.

“There’s a lot of ‘not in my backyard’ across the country,” Dickens said. “But this community said yes—and that made all the difference.”

District 4 Councilmember Jason Dozier described the development as both personal and transformative, pointing to the broader impact stable housing can have on families and neighborhoods.

“Housing creates the foundation for safety, health, and economic stability,” Dozier said.

More Than Housing

Officials emphasized that The Beacon is not just a housing project, but part of a larger ecosystem of care.

Thirty units are dedicated to individuals who need ongoing medical and mental health support through partnerships with local healthcare providers. The development also includes a “housing navigator” program to help individuals transition from hospitals and shelters into stable living environments.

The Beacon @ Coopers Street – Photo by Milton Kirby

Research cited during the event shows that rapid housing programs are effective, with 70 to 90 percent of participants remaining housed after one year.

Looking Ahead

While the ribbon cutting marked a significant achievement, leaders were clear that the work is far from finished.

Speakers emphasized that while the milestone is significant, much work remains to address homelessness across the city.

With the 500-unit goal now achieved, city officials signaled plans to expand the model and continue building housing solutions across Atlanta and the broader region.

As Dickens put it, “Love ought to look like something—and today, you can see what that looks like.”

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Wear Your Health on Your Sleeve

“Smart devices now track heart rate, sleep, and glucose, turning everyday wear into powerful tools for health awareness, prevention, and community wellness.”

You can track your heart rate, sleep, even glucose levels  just by strapping on a device. Are these next-generation right for you?

By Jeanne Dorin McDowell | April 12, 2026

Wearable health monitors have come a long way since Fitbits and Apple Watches introduced the idea of digitally counting steps and calories burned.

Today’s wearables include a dizzying array of devices—armbands, smart rings, smart eyeglasses, chest-strap monitors, clothing embedded with sensors—to track physical activity, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, blood oxygen, glucose levels, stress, sleep patterns and movement.

And while it can be fun to track your biometrics on your own, wearables are having a big impact on doctor-patient relationships by giving health care providers real-time access to critical health data. Some can record and transmit electrocardiogram (ECG) readings; others can detect falls and epileptic seizures before they happen.

“I ask my patients to self-monitor to tell me what their heart rates are,” says Niraj Varma, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist and professor of medicine at the Cleveland Clinic who routinely recommends wearable monitors for patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (A-fib), a common heart disorder that can disrupt blood flow and lead to blood clots and an increased risk of stroke.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans use a wearable device, such as a smartwatch or band, to track their health and fitness. But not all remote monitors are created equal.

  • Consumer-grade wearables, such as smart-watches and rings, which you can buy online or at retail stores, may be fairly accurate but are not FDA-approved, which means they have not met stringent regulatory requirements.
  • Medical-grade wearables, such as most continuous glucose monitors, which measure sugar levels, usually require a doctor’s prescription and are FDA-approved. Health information is transmitted via an app or a receiver and can be shared remotely with a physician, so it can be interpreted and discussed with the patient.

While the accuracy of consumer devices varies across brands and the metrics that are being measured, they are not considered as accurate as medical-grade wearables.

But even if the accuracy falls short, one of the intrinsic values of consumer wearables is that they can signal that something is wrong.

“If you are tracking your activity and motion as well as heart rate, and suddenly there’s a change—not from yesterday to today but a definite trend of something happening—the wearable can be an alert system that tells you something is going on,” says Albert Titus, a professor of biomedical engineering at the University at Buffalo.

Here’s a rundown of widely used wearable tech devices and what doctors who work with them have to say.

SMARTWATCHES AND FITNESS TRACKERS

BEST FOR: Monitoring basic health metrics and exercise

If your idea of a fitness tracker dates back 15 years or so, you might want to see what the new models can do. Through a technique called photoplethysmography, which detects heart rate by measuring changes in the volume of blood flowing near the surface of the skin, sensors can measure heart rate and even stress levels.

They can also flag an irregular heartbeat, says Erica Schorr, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota and a member of the American Heart Association’s Center for Healthy Technology and Innovation, Digital Science Working Group. That said, watches and trackers are not a replacement for regular checkups; they can’t diagnose a heart attack or other serious medical condition.

SMART RINGS

BEST FOR: Monitoring sleep

Smart rings emit light at specific wavelengths into the skin, then measure how much of that light is reflected back to the ring. Since blood absorbs more light than other tissue does, the ring can monitor the rhythmic ebbs and flows in blood volume to track your heart rate and sleep cycles. These devices typically connect to a phone app and may require a monthly subscription.

Smart rings may compile heart rate data more accurately than smartwatches and may produce more accurate measurements in people with darker skin tones than wrist-worn devices do. (Melanin, a dark pigment in the skin, can absorb some of the light emitted by optical sensors and distort heart rate measurements. But there is less melanin on the inside of the fingers than on the wrist.)

While sleep monitoring is a selling point of these devices, not everyone is sold on the value of this function. “It’s challenging for many wearables to accurately assess deep and REM sleep,” says Cheri Mah, M.D., a sleep physician and adjunct lecturer with the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center. “People can get fixated on their daily sleep outcomes and on perfecting those numbers.” Instead, she recommends looking at your results in terms of trends rather than nightly performance.

SMART GLASSES AND SMART CLOTHING

BEST FOR: Serious fitness enthusiasts

Smart clothing refers to garments—usually shirts and leggings—with embedded sensors that monitor vital signs and track physical performance. Like other health wearables, smart clothing monitors heart rate, temperature, heart rhythm and physical movements; the data is transmitted via Bluetooth to an app in real time. Some smart clothes send alerts when the wearer experiences an irregularity or a health problem.

Even eyeglasses can come with health trackers nowadays. Smart eyewear is equipped with sensors and Bluetooth connectivity embedded in the frames, and some can monitor heart rate and calories burned. But, like wrist-based monitors, they’re not as accurate as some other products.

CHEST-STRAP HEART MONITORS

BEST FOR: Serious athletes, people with heart conditions While the heart rate monitors in your smartwatch or ring can provide useful data about your general fitness and exercise levels, a wearable that wraps around your chest to measure heart rate is considered the gold standard. Chest-strap monitors use electrocardiography to measure electrical signals from the heart, which makes them more precise than the sensors used in wrist- or finger-based devices. In April, researchers at the University of Missouri College of Engineering announced the development of a starfish-shaped wearable powered by Al technology that can detect heart problems with 90 percent accuracy.

Some of these devices connect with a cable or wirelessly to a device that you can tch to your clothing or carry in a pock-while many newer models use wireless nections to send data to your phone or another device.

If you have a heart condition, your doctor might prescribe a medical-grade heart monitor that records the heart’s rhythm, such as a Holter, which your physician reviews after return the device. These monitors are even more accurate than the retail versions.

CONTINOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS

BEST FOR: People with diabetes or prediabetes, biohackers

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), which are worn as a patch and use a sensor that’s inserted under the skin with a needle, continuously record glucose levels, sending an alert when they rise or fall too far.

“People who benefit most from CGMs are those with diabetes who require insulin therapy, because these monitors have been associated with reducing the risk of severe hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar,” one of the most feared complications of insulin use, says Aoife M. Egan, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic.

The American Diabetes Association advocates for CGM accessibility for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who are required to take insulin. But CGMs have also become popular with people who just want to know more about the impact of food, stress and activity on their glucose levels. The emergence of several kinds of nonprescription CGMs have empowered the biohacking-curious to measure the sugar in their bloodstream, although over-the-counter CGMs give less-detailed feedback than prescription models.

An effective glucose monitor needs to pierce the skin, researchers say. Last year the FDA alerted consumers that using smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels without piercing the skin “can lead to errors in diabetes management.”

Is a Wearable Monitor Right for You?

Wearables continue to evolve: Scientists are working on a smart ring that can help detect hand tremors, a Parkinson’s disease symptom; wearables that will be able to detect neurodegenerative diseases, like multiple sclerosis and ALS, in the earliest stages; and even a wrist-worn device that tracks activity patterns, which may catch early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. But while wearables have myriad benefits, some people find that continuous monitoring of their health creates anxiety. Fluctuations in heart rhythms or blood sugar levels are normal and often insignificant, but if your device sends up an alarm, it can provoke unneeded stress. “Telling someone they’re experiencing a heart arrhythmia if they don’t feel it can create more anxiety,” says Lindsey Rosman, assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Rosman says we need more studies both on the adverse effects of wearables and on who would actually benefit from these devices. —J.M.

Jeanne Dorin McDowell writes about health and wellness for national print and digital publications.

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SNAP Eligibility, Policy Changes, and What Households Need to Know in 2026

SNAP benefits in 2026 bring updated income limits, work requirements, and policy changes under federal law, impacting how low-income households qualify for food assistance nationwide.

Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | April 4, 2026

The federal government’s largest anti-hunger program is entering a period of renewed attention, as policy updates and eligibility rules continue to shape how millions of Americans access food assistance.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remains a critical safety net for low-income families, seniors, and individuals facing economic hardship. Its mission is straightforward but essential: increase food security, improve nutrition, and support American agriculture.

Recent legislative changes tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, signed by Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, have introduced new policy considerations. Federal agencies are continuing to release guidance on how those provisions will be implemented, signaling that SNAP may evolve further in the months ahead.

Who Qualifies for SNAP in 2026

Eligibility for SNAP is based on a combination of income, household composition, and resources. In most cases, households must meet both gross and net income thresholds, though households with elderly or disabled members may only need to meet net income limits.

For the current cycle (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026), a household of four must generally earn no more than $3,483 per month in gross income and $2,680 in net income to qualify.

Households are defined not just by who lives together, but by who purchases and prepares meals together. That means spouses and most children under 22 are typically counted as one unit, even if meals are prepared separately.

Applicants who are approved can receive benefits retroactive to the date they applied, an important provision for families experiencing sudden financial hardship.

Assets, Vehicles, and What Counts

SNAP also considers household resources, though not all assets are counted. A primary home, retirement accounts, and resources tied to programs like SSI or TANF are excluded.

In most cases, households may have up to $3,000 in countable resources, or $4,500 if at least one member is elderly or disabled.

Vehicles are treated with nuance. Cars used for work, transportation of disabled individuals, or as a primary residence are typically excluded. However, vehicles with significant market value may count toward resource limits depending on state rules.

Work Requirements and Exemptions

Work requirements remain a central feature of SNAP eligibility. Most participants must register for work, accept suitable employment, and participate in training programs if assigned.

Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must work or participate in qualifying programs for at least 20 hours per week to receive benefits beyond three months in a three-year period.

However, several groups are exempt from these rules, including seniors, veterans, pregnant women, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those with physical or mental health limitations.

How to Apply and Stay Eligible

Applications are handled at the state level, and applicants must go through a certification process. Once approved, households receive benefits for a set period and must recertify to continue receiving assistance.

The USDA provides a national directory of state SNAP offices, allowing applicants to find local resources and begin the process online or in person.

A Program Under Watch

As economic conditions shift and federal policy evolves, SNAP remains a focal point in national conversations about poverty, workforce participation, and food access.

For many families, the program is not just assistance, it is stability.

And in a time of rising costs and uncertain economic signals, that stability continues to matter.

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Red Shoe Lunch Marks 16 Years of Sisterhood, Survival, and a Mission to Save Lives

The 16th Annual Red Shoe Lunch at Chateau Elan advanced heart disease prevention through the Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation’s blood pressure monitor initiative.

By Milton Kirby | Braselton, GA | March 1, 2026

What began as a small lunch among six friends has grown into one of metro Atlanta’s most heartfelt annual traditions. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the 16th Annual Red Shoe Lunch filled a ballroom at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort to capacity, with nearly every guest—women and a few men—wearing a shade of red. The color symbolized both celebration and urgency: a reminder that heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women.

A Movement Born From a Moment of Fear

The Red Shoe Lunch traces its origins to 2010, when six women gathered at a restaurant in Atlanta’s Phipps Plaza. They didn’t set out to start a movement; they simply came to support their friend, 36‑year‑old Tasha “Tee” Blount. Each woman wore red shoes, high heels, flats, slingbacks, and peep-toes; an outward symbol of unity that caught the attention of passersby. But the shoes represented something far deeper.

Just days earlier, Tee had been lying on an operating table preparing for a cardiac catheterization. As she waited, she overheard a nurse whisper, “Wow, she’s young.” It was the same phrase she had heard thirteen years earlier when her mother, Veronica Blount, underwent a quadruple bypass in Baltimore. Veronica survived the first surgery, required a second, and later died from coronary artery disease at just 46 years old.

Tee came from a family of women who died young. Her grandmother, Delores, died at 53. Her great-grandmother at 64. As Tee closed her eyes in that Atlanta operating room, she made a promise: if she woke up, she would fight to break the cycle.

From Six Women to a Community of Hundreds

Photo by Milton Kirby Red Shoe Audience

Once released from the hospital, Tee invited her closest friends to lunch on what would have been her mother’s 56th birthday. She asked them to wear red shoes in her honor. The women passed around an iPad and donated to the American Heart Association. When the restaurant manager learned the meaning behind their gathering, he moved them to a private dining room at no charge.

That afternoon, Tee decided the lunch would become an annual event.

Six women have now grown into a community of roughly 200 attendees—and the number continues to rise. While the venue changes each year, the mission has remained constant: raise awareness about heart disease and educate the communities they call home.

A New Chapter: The Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation

For more than a decade, attendees paid for their meals and donated directly to the American Heart Association, raising nearly $20,000. But in 2021, Tee charged $22,000 to her personal credit card to cover event costs. “That was my wake-up call,” she said.

In August 2022, the Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation (VBMF) became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Red Shoe Lunch is now its annual flagship event.

Tee admits she delayed applying for nonprofit status because she wasn’t sure she would live long enough to see it through. “Every woman in my mother’s immediate family died younger than their mother,” she said. “By this time next year, I will be the first to outlive my mother and my grandmother. And I plan to outlive my great-grandmother too.”

She credits access to cardiac care and the resources VBMF now provides for her longevity.

A Mission Rooted in Prevention

Photo by Milton Kirby Red Shoe Lunch Tags

VBMF’s primary fundraising goal is simple but powerful: ensure every household in underserved communities has a blood pressure monitor. “Just like a smoke detector, blood pressure monitors save lives,” Tee said.

The work extends far beyond the luncheon. Volunteers identify neighborhoods with high need, distribute educational materials, and personally deliver monitors to residents.

The Women Behind the Work

The Red Shoe Lunch is powered by a large team of dedicated volunteers whose behind‑the‑scenes work makes the event possible each year. Among them, several leaders shared their perspectives with TSJ.:

  • Mary Fondon, Co-Chair & Volunteer Relations Chair, emphasizes the scale of the effort. “It takes a lot of volunteers to deliver a flawless Red Shoe Lunch,” she said. She hopes every attendee will return next year and bring someone with them.
  • Lisa Daniel, Fundraising Chair, brings her own lived experience to the mission. “I have gone through the fire and I don’t smell like smoke,” she said. Her goal is to ensure fewer people ever have to face the fire at all.
  • Evie Fleming, Event Registration Chair, ensures the event runs smoothly, supported by her mother, April Woodyard from Columbia, SC and sister Wanda Simpkins, and longtime attendee Sally Richardson

Their stories reflect the spirit of the Red Shoe Lunch: community, compassion, and collective action.

SIDEBAR | Heart Disease Risks for Black Women

The Urgency

Black women face the highest rates of heart disease in the United States. Nearly 59% of Black women over age 20 live with some form of cardiovascular disease.

Major Risk Factors

  • High Blood Pressure — Black women experience the highest hypertension rates of any group, and only about a quarter have it under control.
  • Obesity — Nearly 57% of Black women are classified as obese, increasing strain on the heart.
  • Diabetes — Higher rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes elevate long‑term  cardiovascular risk. ·  Family History — Generational patterns of early heart disease are more common in Black families.
  • Stroke Risk — Black women are twice as likely to experience a stroke compared to white women.

Healthcare Gaps

Black women are more likely to encounter:

  • Delayed diagnosis, even when symptoms are present
  • Under‑treatment due to implicit bias
  • Higher pregnancy‑related cardiac complications, including preeclampsia and cardiomyopathy

These disparities contribute to higher mortality and more severe outcomes.

Symptoms Often Missed

Heart attack symptoms in women—especially Black women—can be subtle:

  • Unusual fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Back, jaw, or stomach pain
  • Lightheadedness

These are frequently mistaken for stress or exhaustion.

 Prevention That Saves Lives

  • Know your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
  • Schedule regular heart screenings
  • Manage stress and sleep
  • Maintain physical activity
  • Recognize symptoms early

Why Access Matters

Access to blood pressure monitors, preventive screenings, and culturally competent cardiac care dramatically improves outcomes—especially in underserved communities where risk is highest.

Looking Ahead

Blount announced that the 17th Annual Red Shoe Lunch will return on February 27, 2027.

The Red Shoe Lunch continues to grow in size, purpose, and impact. With its nonprofit status secured, all proceeds now support the Veronica Blount Memorial Foundation’s work in underserved communities. The organization will continue its annual giving campaign to the American Heart Association through the Veronica Blount Memorial Fund.

What began as six women in red shoes is now a movement—one that is saving lives, one household at a time.

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From COLA to Copays: How 2026 Reshapes Retirement Security

Social Security and Medicare changes in 2026 include higher COLA payments, rising premiums, new senior tax breaks, negotiated drug prices, and potential Medicare coverage for weight-loss drugs.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 10, 2026

Americans who rely on Social Security and Medicare entered 2026 facing a series of significant changes that will shape monthly incomes, health care costs, taxes, and access to prescription drugs. From a higher cost-of-living adjustment to the long-awaited launch of negotiated Medicare drug prices, the updates reflect both inflation pressures and years of policy debate.

Here is a breakdown of the most important changes now in effect.

Higher Social Security Payments, Modest but Meaningful

Social Security recipients received a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on January 1, reflecting rising inflation late last year. That increase is slightly higher than the 2.5 percent COLA granted in 2025.

According to the Social Security Administration, the average monthly retirement benefit rises by about $56, from roughly $2,015 to about $2,071. While not dramatic, the increase offers some protection against rising food, housing, and medical costs.

Medicare Premiums and Deductibles Rise Sharply

Medicare enrollees are seeing steeper increases.

  • Medicare Part B premiums climbed nearly 10 percent, rising to $202.90 per month, up from $185 in 2025.
  • The Part B deductible increased to $283, up from $257.
  • The Part A inpatient deductible is now $1,736, compared with $1,676 last year.

These increases mean many seniors will see a noticeable portion of their COLA absorbed by health care costs.

Higher Payroll Taxes for Top Earners

Workers continue to pay 12.4 percent of earnings toward Social Security—split evenly between employees and employers, or fully paid by the self-employed. In 2026, however, the maximum amount of earnings subject to that tax increased to $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025.

The change affects higher-income workers most directly, modestly strengthening Social Security’s funding base.

New Tax Break for Older Americans

A new federal tax deduction aimed at older adults also took effect this year. Eligible taxpayers 65 and older can now reduce taxable income by up to $6,000, or $12,000 for married couples.

The deduction phases out for individuals earning more than $175,000 and couples earning more than $250,000. The provision was backed by AARP and included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last summer.

Earnings Test Adjustments for Working Beneficiaries

Seniors resources are being squeezed by the cost of living, medicine, food in some instances, taxes

For Social Security beneficiaries who have not yet reached full retirement age—now between 66 and 67—the earnings test threshold also increased.

In 2026, beneficiaries who will not reach full retirement age during the year will have $1 withheld for every $2 earned above $24,480, up from $23,400 in 2025. Once full retirement age is reached, the earnings test no longer applies.

Higher Threshold to Earn Social Security Credits

Workers still need 40 Social Security credits to qualify for retirement benefits, earning up to four credits per year. In 2026, the income needed to earn one credit increased.

You now earn one credit for every quarter in which you make at least $1,890 in taxable earnings, about $80 more per quarter than last year.

Weight-Loss Drugs Poised for Medicare Breakthrough

Beyond core benefits, one of the most closely watched developments involves GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

Roughly 32 million American adults have used GLP-1 drugs, including about one-fifth of women ages 50 to 64, according to a recent report by RAND Corporation. Monthly prescriptions often exceed $1,000, placing them out of reach for many seniors.

A deal announced last fall between the Trump administration and manufacturers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk promises sharply lower prices through a new direct-to-consumer platform called TrumpRx, expected to launch in early 2026.

President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 lowering the cost of 10 widely prescribed medications

Officials say prices could fall to about $350 per month through TrumpRx. If the oral GLP-1 drug orforglipron receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it would be priced similarly. An initial pill version of Wegovy could cost as little as $150 per month, pending approval.

Under Medicare, officials estimate GLP-1 prices could average $245 per month, with typical copays around $50, a dramatic reduction if fully implemented.

Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Finally Begin

Another landmark change arrived quietly on January 1: the first 10 Medicare Part D drugs with negotiated prices officially became available.

After Congress passed a law in 2022 requiring negotiations between drugmakers and the federal government, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized prices that slash costs for some of the most widely used medications.

Savings are substantial. For a 30-day supply:

  • Januvia            $527                $113                79%   reduction
  • Eliquis             $521                $231               56%   reduction
  • Jardiance         $573                $197                66%   reduction
  • Enbrel             $7,106             $2,355             67%   reduction
  • Jardiance         $197               $573                66%   reduction
  • Stelara             $4,695             $13,836           66%   reduction
  • Xarelto            $197                $517                62%   reduction
  • Eliquis             $231                $521                56%   reduction
  • Entresto          $295               $628                53%   reduction
  • Imbruvica       $9,319             $14,934           38%   reduction

Advocates say the move represents the most significant shift in Medicare drug pricing since the program’s creation.

A Year of Tradeoffs

Taken together, the 2026 changes deliver both relief and new pressures for older Americans. Monthly Social Security checks are larger, tax breaks are broader, and drug prices are finally falling—but Medicare premiums and deductibles continue to climb. For seniors living on fixed incomes, 2026 may be remembered less as a year of sweeping reform than one of careful tradeoffs, where every increase comes with a corresponding cost.

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