It's time to break the stigma and speak openly about lung cancer - Korina

I’m Korina Pateli Bell, 59, based in Athens and often in the UK. I lost my husband, Simon, to lung cancer in August 2020. He was diagnosed the previous year with stage 4 disease after months of a persistent cough, pain in his chest, neck, upper back and shoulder, and fatigue. His diagnosis came suddenly, and despite everything we tried, we lost him far too soon.

During Simon’s illness, support meant being his voice, his advocate, and his hand to hold. After his passing, it became a promise - to fight for others to have the information, care, and compassion we didn’t always receive. Today, it means standing beside people living with lung cancer and their families, making sure they’re seen, heard, and never alone.

Through FairLife, we’ve built safe spaces for support groups, psychological care, and awareness campaigns across Greece. Learning about targeted therapies, biomarkers, clinical trials, and early detection was transformational - though for us, it came too late. That’s why I keep telling our story: so others can find answers sooner. We owe them truth, empathy, and action.

I find peace in walking by the sea, lighting a candle, journaling, and breathing deeply. I cook with care, eat mindfully, and try to be kind to my body. Nature, music, and small moments of stillness remind me that I’m still growing, still giving, and still here.