“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.” Kelly thought it couldn’t happen to her—until it did. Having worked at Pfizer for over 25 years, she knew how an unexpected diagnosis could suddenly turn someone’s life upside down, but nothing could have prepared her for her own cancer journey.
After developing a chronic cough, Kelly was looking for answers. She had appointments with several healthcare providers and specialists who diagnosed her with everything from gastroesophageal reflux disease to long COVID. Nothing gave her relief. Kelly’s symptoms only got worse; her cough soon became debilitating, and she developed shortness of breath. After months of frustration, she decided to take matters into her own hands and called a friend who works as a pulmonologist. After hearing her symptoms, he booked Kelly for a CT scan right away. Minutes after the test was complete, she received news that turned her life upside down—she had cancer.
Despite significant advancements, millions of people across the globe face a cancer diagnosis each year. For the Pfizer Oncology team, these individuals are more than a statistic—they are parents, children, friends and colleagues.