Remembering Anita Figueras

We are incredibly saddened to share that LungCancer.net team member Anita Figueras passed away on June 27, 2019. Anita had been living with stage IV lung cancer for the past 5 years. She will be remembered, and deeply missed, by all who knew her. Anita's advocacy work will have a continuing impact on the community.

An inspirational advocate

Anita was a dedicated, passionate lung cancer advocate. She cofounded the EGFR Resisters, a patient-driven advocacy group dedicated to improving patient outcomes and accelerating EGFR+ lung cancer research. Her advocacy work will continue to reach and help so many in this community. Some of Anita's writings can be found below; a full list of her articles can be read here.

• Two Partners, Two Cancers: How We’re Coping
• Dental Care and the Lung Cancer Patient
• Kidney Damage From Chemotherapy: My Story and What You Should Know
• Building a Support Network When You are a Single Person with Lung Cancer

From her fellow advocates

From Ivy Elkins:

"I am honored to have known Anita and called her my friend. Anita lived with EGFR+ lung cancer for approximately 5 years and was dedicated to her advocacy work. If it weren’t for Anita, the EGFR Resisters would not exist today. Anita connected with Teri Kennedy early in 2017 about creating the EGFR Resisters, and the other co-founders were brought on afterward.

I know Anita was incredibly proud to be part of our grassroots patient-driven initiative and thrilled that we have been able to grow to over 1300 patients/caregivers in 30+ different countries in her lifetime. She was instrumental in getting Project PRIORITY, our survey of those living with EGFR+ lung cancer off the ground, and was a fantastic moderator for our group. Anita kept us all on our toes and organized, taking minutes during our Founder telephone calls and making sure we followed an agenda. Her accounting and non-profit background were critical to our success.

The EGFR Resisters are dedicated to continuing our work to improve patient outcomes and accelerate EGFR+ lung cancer research in Anita’s memory.

We love you, Anita!"

From Jennifer Toth:
"Anita was one of the first people I formed a special bond with after my diagnosis. Her infectious optimism was always apparent. May her family find comfort knowing all she did for others. Anita, see you on the other side. Rest In Peace my dear friend."

Join us in remembering Anita

In lieu of flowers, Anita's family asks that contributions can be made to the EGFR Resisters online here.

We know that Anita's writing, advocacy efforts, and sincerity touched many in the community. If you would like to share memories or stories about Anita, please visit our memory wall, or comment below.