Fighting Lung Cancer Since 2006

Collaboratively
Making a Difference
in the Fight Against
Lung Cancer

The mission of Rexanna's Foundation is to increase the survival rate of lung cancer patients through research funding, awareness, and advocacy for early detection — for the 80% who never smoked.

Donate Today Her Story

80%

of new lung cancer cases are former and never-smokers

17%

5-year survival rate — the lowest of major cancers

of federal cancer research dollars go to lung cancer

18+

Years Fighting

$1M+

Research Funded

$10M+

Grants Generated

30+

Research Projects

Rexanna Hawkins

1957 – June 21, 2006

Diagnosed April 21, 2006 · Never a smoker

Our Foundation

Born from Love,
Built on Purpose

"Known for her fiery spirit, competitiveness, huge heart and loyalty — Rexanna impacted many former students, coaches, colleagues, and friends."

Rexanna Hawkins, 49, died of lung cancer on June 21, 2006. Never a smoker, she found out she had lung cancer on April 21, 2006 — just two months before she passed.

Rexanna impacted so many during her brief time at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Daniel Karp was inspired by her sheer enthusiasm and fight. She coached girls volleyball, track and golf for 18 years, finishing as Lake Travis Middle School Athletic Director in Austin, TX.

Rexanna believed God had a plan. Today, her memory makes a difference in the lives of so many through Rexanna's Foundation for Fighting Lung Cancer — a beacon of hope dedicated to increasing survival rates through research, education, and advocacy.

Our mission stands on three pillars:

Raise Funds for Research & Education

Funding critical lung cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center and leading institutions.

Increase Awareness of Lung Cancer

Changing public perception and reducing stigma — 80% of cases are non-smokers.

Promote Early Detection & Targeted Treatment

Advocating for prevention strategies and precision medicine to transform the 17% survival rate.

Support the Mission

Research at MD Anderson

Making a Difference
Through the Years

There is good news in the advancement in lung cancer research. New treatments are being discovered that can be used alone, before, after, or in combination with traditional chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

To date Rexanna's Foundation has given over $1 million dollars to targeted research projects at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. These dollars have allowed the Thoracic team at MD Anderson to generate over $10M in grant funds.

View All Research Our Grants

We Fund Research Focused On

Early detection & diagnosis of lung cancer

Personalized & targeted treatment therapies

Increasing survival rates & eradicating cancer

Seed Funding Impact

20×

return — seed grants at MD Anderson have generated 20× in larger research funding

2025Funded ResearchTotal: $600,000

Lance Bertrand Grant

Pre-Cancer & Environmental Exposures Research

Dr. Zhang, Dr. Heymach, & Dr. Vaishnavi

Targeting IL-1α for Interception of KRAS-Driven Lung Pre-Cancer / Combined with Elucidating the Molecular Mechanisms of Sexual Dimorphism in Lung Cancer following Environmental Exposures.

Rexanna's General Fund

KRAS-Inhibitor Resistant NSCLC Treatment Research

Dr. Gibbons & Dr. Kundu

Investigating the mechanisms of treatment resistance and therapeutic vulnerability of brain metastases in KRAS-inhibitor resistant NSCLC.

Pamela Henicke Grant

AI-Powered Digital Twin Framework

Dr. Wu, Dr. Heymach & Dr. Zhang

Optimizing Lung Cancer Treatment using artificial intelligence. Matching grant gift provided by Rusty Rush.

Victor Elias Grant

MD Anderson Young-Onset Lung Cancer Program

Dr. Singhi & Dr. Antonoff

Survivorship through the MD Anderson Young-Onset Lung Cancer (YOLC) Program: Promoting Wellness, Surveillance, and Long-term Health.

Tamra Hissom Budd Grant

B-to-T Cell Interactions with Immunotherapy

Dr. Cascone

Elucidating how B-to-T Cell Interactions Shape the Response of Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Immunotherapy.

Lance Bertrand Grant

Transcriptional Events in EGFR-Driven Lung Cancer Resistance

Dr. Heeke & Dr. Le

Prediction and Biomarker Identification in Tissue and Liquid Biopsies for EGFR-driven resistance.

Bruce Campbell Grant

Engineered T Cell Designs for Drug-Resistant Lung Cancers

Drew C. Deniger & Alexandre Reuben

Innovative engineered T cell therapy with 21 validated T cell receptors showing in vitro tumor-killing efficacy, building toward Phase I clinical trials at MD Anderson.

Pamela Henicke Grant

ALK Fusion Resistance Mutations & Inhibitor Efficacy

David Molkentine, BS — Thoracic H&N Medical Oncology, MDACC

Characterizing ALK fusion resistant mutations to predict efficacy to current and next generation ALK inhibitors, providing a treatment roadmap for clinicians.

Lung Cancer Reality

Numbers That Demand Action

These statistics reveal why Rexanna's Foundation exists — and why your support matters so deeply.

80%

Non-Smokers

Nearly 80% of new lung cancer cases are former and never smokers

27%

Cancer Deaths

Lung cancer accounts for 27% of all cancer deaths in the United States

17%

Survival Rate

Only 17% of lung cancer patients survive five years — the lowest of major cancers

Federal Funding

Only 9% of federal cancer research dollars go toward lung cancer research

Give Today

Your Gift Fuels
the Fight

Every dollar you give directly funds lung cancer research at MD Anderson, patient education, and awareness programs that save lives.

$25Awareness

$50Research

$100Grant

$250Champion

Secure & encrypted · Tax-deductible · 100% goes to the mission

🧬

Fund Breakthrough Research

Support scientists developing targeted therapies and immunotherapy for lung cancer patients at MD Anderson.

Pamela Henicke Research Grant

Award grants to emerging oncologists dedicated to improving lung cancer survival rates and outcomes.

Patient Advocacy & Support

Provide Pat Hood Rally Cards, community programs, and resources for patients and their families.

Scholarships & Education

Invest in the next generation of lung cancer healthcare professionals through education initiatives.

Join the Fight

Many Ways to Make
a Difference

Whether you volunteer, attend an event, or simply spread the word — your involvement brings us closer to better outcomes for every lung cancer patient.

Carr-Jacobi Classic Golf Tournament

Join us March 30, 2026 at Flintrock Falls Golf Course, Austin TX. Lunch at 11 AM, Shotgun Start at 12:15 PM, Dinner & Program following the tournament.

Volunteer & Get Involved

Help support our events, outreach efforts, patient advocacy work, and local awareness initiatives. Join a Pat Hood Rally Card team or become a community ambassador.

Volunteer Now →

Spread Awareness

Share our mission with your community, attend events, and help educate others about early detection, non-smoker lung cancer, and the importance of research funding.

Leadership