April 24, 2026
Julia Tolloty
We have all been touched by cancer in some way-—through a friend, a family member, or our own experience. With that familiarity comes a shared understanding: people facing cancer deserve not only treatment, but also community and support. At The Ohio State University, that belief helped spark a student-led effort that turned into something much bigger.
At last spring’s Respiratory Therapy End-of-Year Picnic, a friendly challenge took shape. Dr. Rebecca Fox, assistant professor in the Division of Respiratory Therapy, and other faculty agreed to participate in the ice bucket challenge if second-year student Ahmad Ismail and his fellow respiratory therapy students could raise enough money by fall to host a lung cancer awareness walk. What began as a lighthearted moment quickly gained momentum, becoming a meaningful goal—and eventually, a reality.
Patients with lung cancer often face hardships that extend beyond their diagnoses. As Dr. Stephen Kirkby (MD), a pulmonologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, shared while reflecting on a past family member’s experience with lung cancer, these challenges can include stigma. Lung cancer is often associated with smoking, but that assumption does not reflect the reality of the disease.
For years, Dr. Fox had envisioned an event that could both raise awareness and help shift that narrative. This year, the class of 2026 helped bring that vision to life as the connection to Dr. Kirkby and Dr. Fox drove them to utilize their club, the Inspiration Club, to support Dr. Fox’s dream. The club is managed by mostly respiratory therapy students, so this issue also hits them close to home as well.
On March 29, Ohio State’s Inspiration Club hosted its first-ever Breathe Strong 5k. The class of 2027 respiratory therapy students were a huge support day of the walk, as the entire class came out to volunteer for their fellow students’ initiative. At this event, there were many different activities going on, educational opportunities such as a mobile lung screening unit that showed people how to get their lung screened, crafting cards for transplant patients and there was also a point at Breathe Strong where people shared their personal stories of how they have been impacted by lung and other forms of cancer. One of the most powerful features was a memorial wall shaped like a giant pair of lungs, where attendees wrote names and messages honoring loved ones.
The turnout reflected the impact of these efforts. Over 175 people attended the event, an impressive showing for a first-time initiative. The 5k raised nearly $5,000, and more importantly, it brought together people from a wide range of backgrounds that united through shared experiences and a commitment to breaking the stigma.
Looking ahead, the Inspiration Club hopes to continue to make the Breathe Strong 5k an annual tradition. Although the majority of this year’s coordinators will graduate in the spring, their commitment to the cause will not end here. Some plan to return next year to assist the next class, ensuring that the impact of Breathe Strong 5k endures beyond a single event. These future leaders are helping to build something lasting: a community that continues to support, speak out and breathe strong together.