Here Comes Summer Raises Funds for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation

Guests at the inaugural Here Comes Summer event benefiting the Lung Cancer Research Foundation didn’t let a little rain dampen their spirits. Revelers arrived at Richland Country Club for an evening celebrating the life and legacy of disco queen Donna Summer, who died of lung cancer in 2012. Funds raised during the event support the organization’s efforts to end the disease. Summer’s longtime friend, Susan Munao, chaired the event and ensured guests understood the importance of that mission.

Munao shared stories about her friendship with Summer and how thrilled the singer would have been to see a sold-out crowd. “Tonight is more than a fundraiser,” she said. “It’s about building a community of people who refuse to accept the status quo.” 

Summer’s close friends, Michael and Stormie Omartian, recognized the singer’s family for their dedication to advancing lung cancer research. “Lung cancer leaves a legacy,” said Summer’s daughter, Mimi Dohler, who accepted the award alongside her own daughter, Vienna Dohler. “It’s a ripple effect that extends far beyond the patient. … This disease changes lives forever.”

Lung cancer survivor Stephen Huff highlighted LCRF’s real-world impact. Diagnosed with stage four lung cancer at age 29, he spoke about the importance of research that gave him more time with his wife and young children — a message Dr. David Spigel, chief scientific officer at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, hammered home. “The science is there,” he said. “We can understand targets, we can design drugs, we can run trials. But all of this takes effort and investment. Your support of lung cancer research is an important piece in that fight — not just here in Nashville, but across the world.”