GET INVOLVED | RAISE AWARENESS
Saving Lungs Behind the Chair
Beauty professionals are more than stylists—they are trusted voices in their communities. Through Saving Lungs Behind the Chair, we equip them with the tools to share life-saving lung cancer education where it matters most: in everyday conversations.
The Challenge
The Urgent Reality of Lung Cancer in Black Communities
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet awareness, screening, and early detection gaps continue to disproportionately impact Black communities.
Too often, lung cancer is diagnosed at later stages when treatment options may be more limited. Increasing awareness and access to trusted education can help encourage earlier conversations, screening, and action.
Saving Lungs Behind the Chair was created to help bring those conversations directly into communities through trusted salon and barbershop relationships.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The Urgent Reality of Lung Cancer in Black Communities
#1 cause of cancer-related death in Black men
#2 cause of cancer-related death in Black women
Highest lung cancer mortality rates among all racial/ethnic groups
Yet only 5.8% of eligible Americans underwent lung cancer screening in 2021
The Insight
Saving Lungs Behind the Chair recognizes the unique role stylists and barbers can play in helping spread potentially life-saving awareness in communities where trusted conversations matter.
By equipping Hair-apist Ambassadors with simple educational tools and resources, the program helps bring lung cancer awareness directly into everyday community spaces.
“What begins as a trusted conversation in the chair can become life-saving awareness.”
How Saving Lungs Behind the Chair Works
Trusted Relationships
Trusted Relationships
Clients return every 4–6 weeks, creating ongoing opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Community Impact
Community Impact
Stylists help bring life-saving awareness directly into trusted community spaces.
Everyday Awareness
Everyday Awareness
Simple conversations can encourage screening, education, and earlier detection.
The Model: Trusted Community Conversations Created Measurable Impact
- Train Stylists as Ambassadors
Hair professionals receive simple, actionable education on lung cancer risk, screening, and treatment. - Start Conversations in the Chair
Stylists share key messages with clients in a trusted, familiar setting. - Drive Client Action
Clients are guided to learn more, get screened, and access resources. - Track and Scale Impact
Every interaction contributes to measurable outreach and awareness.
Trusted Community Conversations Created
Measurable Impact in Just Five Months
137 Hair Professionals Trained
886K+ Social Media Impressions
7 Community Events Activated
Why This Works
This model meets people where they are.
- No clinical setting required
- No disruption to daily life
- Delivered by someone they trust
As seen in early activations, stylists are effective in:
-
- Educating clients on respiratory health awareness and early detection.
- Sharing resources
- Driving meaningful conversations about health
We are seeking partners to help expand this proven model.
Your support enables:
- Expansion into new cities
- Training and onboarding of ambassadors
- Community events and outreach
- Development of scalable program infrastructure
Alignment Areas
- Health equity
- Early detection and prevention
- Community-based engagement
- Innovative public health models
Together, we can transform trusted relationships into life-saving action
— and bring lung cancer awareness to the communities that need it most.
