Gina Hollenbeck Memorial Fund for Biomarker Testing and Clinical Trial Support

For years, Gina Hollenbeck has been a significant part of Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation’s efforts to provide funding and resources for the research and treatment of lung cancer. At 38 years old, Gina was at the peak of her physical health and lung cancer was the last thing on her mind. On October 27, 2015, she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer even though she had no obvious risk factors.

Gina spent the next seven years advocating for lung cancer research, clinical trials and innovative treatments as she organized fundraisers, spoke at gatherings and raised awareness of non-smoking related lung cancer. Gina even brought Links for Lungs to Memphis, an annual golf tournament to benefit Baptist Cancer Center.

Sadly in 2022, at the age of 45, Gina succumbed to ALK Positive lung cancer, a non-small cell form of cancer that is present in victims as early as the embryonic stage of life. Gina worked tirelessly to raise awareness of biomarker testing for lung cancer, a genomic test that looks for abnormalities in the DNA and levels of specific proteins in a tumor. By identifying these genetic anomalies, doctors can create a targeted, more effective treatment for a particular cancer.

Gina was adamant that biomarker testing, and the resulting treatments, extended her life seven years after her diagnosis. And she was determined to make that option available to as many people as possible who are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer to help them live longer and, ultimately, be cured.

In honor of Gina’s life and passion, Baptist Foundation has created the Gina Hollenbeck Memorial Fund. Your gift will support the advancement of biomarker testing, clinical trials and research for cancer patients who might otherwise not have the opportunity to benefit from the same care that Gina received.

As Gina often said, “If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer.” Honor Gina’s amazing legacy with your gift today.