I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in April 2005. I was only 45 years old, I had never smoked, and I thought lung cancer wasn’t something I would ever have to worry about. Now I know that upward of 15 percent of lung cancer patients are never smokers.

Three years after my initial diagnosis, doctors discovered I had the ALK mutation. I had no idea what that meant or that I would even still be talking about it in 2014. In fact, I was seeing a psychologist to prepare for my death.

Paul Newman died last week at the age of 83. A beloved actor and philanthropist, he was debonair, charming, dedicated to his family, thoughtful, and generous, with his "Newman's Own" brand raising millions for disadvantaged children. What's not to love?