Melissa Zagon

[Ry]

This is the annoucement I received from LUNGevity today:

Dear Friends of LUNGevity,

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and staff of LUNGevity, it is with the deepest regret that I am writing to inform you that Melissa Lumberg Zagon died yesterday, on January 2, 2007. For the past six years, Melissa defied the odds associated with advanced lung cancer and lived an extremely productive and rewarding life. As a LUNGevity Foundation co-founder, former president and chairperson, she spearheaded our successful efforts to increase funding for lung cancer research and to grow and transform LUNGevity into the nationally-renowned organization that it is today.

Melissa was the heart and soul of the LUNGevity Foundation. We will sincerely miss the incredible enthusiasm, wisdom, and energy that she brought to every situation. She inspired everyone she met by living these past six years with such dignity and fully embracing the mantra, Every Second Counts.

Melissa showed all of us that it is possible to turn unfortunate situations into opportunities to help others. We are committed to sustaining these efforts and to achieving LUNGevity's mission. With your continued support, we can accomplish what Melissa wanted - a cure for lung cancer.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Melissa's memory, please visit www.lungevity.org.

Melissa and her husband, Glenn, have an eight-year-old daughter, Hannah. She is the daughter of Sherry and Edward Lumberg, and sister of Michael Lumberg.

The funeral will be held on Friday, January 5, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Congregation BJBE at 901 Milwaukee Avenue, in Glenview.

Sincerely,

Cindy Collins

President

LUNGevity Foundation

[Maryanne]

What a brave lady she was!! She will be missed by so many people. She had touched numerous people's lives. Her enthusiasm was contageous.

This is a sad day.

Rest in peace, Melissa.

My deepest condolences goes out to all her family, associates and friends.

Heaven has a received a gift.. named Melissa.

Maryanne

[Sheri]

I'm saddened to hear this news. She was a true pioneeer.

[carolhg]

I am very saddened to read this information. My prayers for her family and that all the work that she has done will lead to a cure in 2007.

Carol

[RandyW]

My deepest condolences and most heartfelt prayers at this time. It is so sad to lose such a courageous and inspirational person to this disease. My Thanks for all she has done to help battle this disease.

[ztweb]

Eternal rest be granted unto her oh Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her always.

So sad.

Jen

[Welthy]

Very sad news indeed. I honor her commitment to finding and funding a cure for this horrible disease.

May God bless her family at this time and in the weeks to come.

Welthy

[Lisa O]

Melissa was the first person I spoke with after being diagnosed. She was so helpful and such an inspiration. My heart breaks for her family. I will be forever grateful and inspired by the legacy she has left behind.

[MsC1210]

I am so sorry to read this. My prayers and condolences to her friends and family.

Chris

[Steph74]

I'm also saddened, I met her a few months ago at a support group meeting in Chicago - she was very positive and her doctor was one of the best in the country. She has done SO MUCH for lung cancer awareness in such a short time.

[trish2418]

We lost a friend. My prayers go out to her family.

Trish

[bunny]

I signed on today looking for more information about Melissa, I received the notice, too. lit a fire under my butt to work for HER, and for a cure for lung cancer. her story of activism is one of a kind, but her 'cancer story' is too often repeated.