HSHS IT Analyst Advocates for Lung Cancer Awareness
November 21, 2025
Lucresia Beler spends her days working as an IT Analyst for Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) but follows her passion of highlighting cancer awareness for the Black community for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in her free time.
Today, that dedication took her to the east steps of the Illinois State Capitol and its statue of Abraham Lincoln as part of a press conference recognizing November as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Beler urged the crowd to get lung cancer screenings, noting the disease remains the second leading cancer diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death in Black men and women.
“Be your own advocate,” Beler said, who serves as an ACS VOICES of Black Women Ambassador. “Speak up and ask your primary care physician about a screening.”
Kaitlyn Keen, Associate Director of Cancer Center Partnerships for the American Cancer Society, complimented Illinois in getting 63 organizations to participate in National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Nov. 8. Those efforts are part of the progress that has been made in raising awareness of the disease, which has a five-year survival rate of 67% with early diagnosis, according to the ACS.
“Lung cancer does not have to be a death sentence,” Keen said. She referenced quick, non-invasive low-dose CT scans, like those offered at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, that can detect nodules or spots on a lung which might be an early indicator of lung cancer.
Ryan Croke, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, presented Keen with a proclamation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker recognizing November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois.
Springfield Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk recalled a personal story of progress from when she joined the department 20 years ago.
“It was considered a badge of honor to have dirty gear, a dirty helmet and soot on your face,” she said. “Thankfully, things have changed.”
HSHS partnered with ACS’ Lung Cancer Biomarker ECHO test for the department to streamline access and turnaround time. Biomarkers are biological factors that measure aspects of an individual’s health.
Plunk also applauded Illinois for legislation passed by state lawmakers last spring and signed into law by the governor that bans PFAS from being used in the manufacturing of protective gear worn by firefighters. The so-called “forever chemicals” have been linked to cancer in firefighters.
Today, that dedication took her to the east steps of the Illinois State Capitol and its statue of Abraham Lincoln as part of a press conference recognizing November as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Beler urged the crowd to get lung cancer screenings, noting the disease remains the second leading cancer diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death in Black men and women.
“Be your own advocate,” Beler said, who serves as an ACS VOICES of Black Women Ambassador. “Speak up and ask your primary care physician about a screening.”
Kaitlyn Keen, Associate Director of Cancer Center Partnerships for the American Cancer Society, complimented Illinois in getting 63 organizations to participate in National Lung Cancer Screening Day on Nov. 8. Those efforts are part of the progress that has been made in raising awareness of the disease, which has a five-year survival rate of 67% with early diagnosis, according to the ACS.
“Lung cancer does not have to be a death sentence,” Keen said. She referenced quick, non-invasive low-dose CT scans, like those offered at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, that can detect nodules or spots on a lung which might be an early indicator of lung cancer.
Ryan Croke, First Assistant Deputy Governor for Health and Human Services, presented Keen with a proclamation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker recognizing November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Illinois.
Springfield Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Julie Plunk recalled a personal story of progress from when she joined the department 20 years ago.
“It was considered a badge of honor to have dirty gear, a dirty helmet and soot on your face,” she said. “Thankfully, things have changed.”
HSHS partnered with ACS’ Lung Cancer Biomarker ECHO test for the department to streamline access and turnaround time. Biomarkers are biological factors that measure aspects of an individual’s health.
Plunk also applauded Illinois for legislation passed by state lawmakers last spring and signed into law by the governor that bans PFAS from being used in the manufacturing of protective gear worn by firefighters. The so-called “forever chemicals” have been linked to cancer in firefighters.
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