Rays of Hope Award

The Rays of Hope Award has been established to honor the late Richard Heimler, a past GO2 board member and a voice for hope and advocacy. This awardee will be charged with sharing their powerful voice in support of the lung cancer community and on behalf of GO2 for Lung Cancer.

GO2 will connect them with speaking engagements, share their story on our website, empower them to become a spokesperson for GO2 nationally and in their communities locally and online, and invite them to join our National Ambassador Council. The recipient will also be recorded on a video that will be featured on our website, social media platforms, and various other communications channels. The recipient will be announced and recognized at our annual Lung Cancer Voices Summit and will join the Rays of Hope selection committee for the subsequent year.

Past Awardees

Learn about our past award winners who have been strong, hopeful voices in the lung cancer community.

Year Awardee
2023 Larry Gershon

Larry has been a dedicated member of the GO2 community, as a fixture in our monthly Lung Cancer Living Rooms and Gathering HOPE Community Social events, Phone Buddy volunteer (supporting over 20 matches), and event participant, including numerous galas, walk/runs, and virtual events. He is a studious and committed CDMRP reviewer for GO2 and has also served on the tumor board for the VA.

In his words, “I just want to help other people the way that Bonnie and the rest of the organization helped me.”

2022 Juanita Segura

An inspiring lung cancer survivor and fierce advocate, Juanita is a member of GO2’s National Ambassador Council, Phone Buddy program and has shared her story at our Lung Cancer Voices Summit, Centers of Excellence Summit and Lung Cancer Living Room.

2021 Terri Ann DiJulio

Two-time lung cancer survivor and one of five members of her family diagnosed with the disease, Terri Ann has dedicated her life to fundraising, legislative advocacy and sharing her experiences with the lung cancer community.

2019 Jeff Julian

Jeff Julian is a lung cancer survivor/thriver and inspirational speaker. He received GO2’s inaugural Rays of Hope Award in 2019 and was formerly a Patient Advisory Board Member for GO2 for Lung Cancer. Jeff is a husband, father, and a 1996 Olympic trials finalist in swimming.

Questions? Contact Lisa Tinsley, Associate Director, Philanthropy at raysofhope@go2.org.