Debbie Pickworth

Debbie was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in March of 2013 at the age of 43 years old. She was diagnosed with NSCLC, Adenocarcinoma,  with the BRAF V600e mutation. She is a 3rd generation lung cancer patient. Her mother and grandmother both died of lung cancer. At the time of diagnosis, there were no treatments in lung cancer for BRAF. Her options at the time where chemo. Her first treatment was 6 rounds of Carboplatin, Alimta  and Avastin, then another 6 of Alimta and Avastin. Debbie took a “chemo break” for the next 12 months. In 2015, she had mild progression and was then able to go on trial for a BRAF combo of Dabrafinib and Trametinib. She stayed on the trial for 2.5 years until side effects removed her from the trial. She then went back on Alimta maintenance for another 12 rounds and again went on another  “chemo break”. In April of 2020, she again had progression and did 10 rounds of radiation and started back on Alimta maintenance and currently on this treatment plan.

Debbie is a wife, mother, grandmother and an advocate. She enjoy spending time with family and friends, crafting, taking photographs and getting in small vacations.  Between and during treatments her other activities include:

·       Lung Force Detroit Walk (Team Pickworth)

·       American Lung Association patient advisory group

·       Imerman Angels – Patient Mentor

·       Livelung.org support groups

·       IASLC Member

·       Michigan Lung Cancer Group

·       BRAF Bombers – Founder

·       Group Moderator Lungevity BRAF Group