According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths and ranks third in prevalence in the United States.
In Santa Monica, California, a man diagnosed with lung cancer is facing challenges with his treatment plan due to the denial of coverage by his health insurance provider, Cigna Healthcare.
Daron Wells, a 59-year-old man with stage 4 lung cancer, is a husband and father of three living in Santa Monica, California.
He was planning on flying across the country to Northwestern Medicine in Chicago for a double lung transplant, according to ABC7.
A fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, aimed at covering his medical costs, states that medical professionals from UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago have both endorsed him for a double lung transplant. This procedure is vital for his survival, and the healthcare teams are prepared to proceed with the operation.
The transplant was part of a clinical trial he’d previously been medically approved for. The outlet reports that Cigna “approved him for procedures” that allowed his transfer to Chicago, but later “denied coverage for both the transplant and medical transfer to Illinois.”
Cigna had not yet returned a request for comment at time of publication.
“Our coverage guidelines are grounded in national clinical standards to help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients,” Cigna said in a statement to The Independent.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a nonprofit made up of leading cancer centers, encourages clinical trials as an option for cancer patients.
“Everyone with cancer should carefully consider all of the treatment options available for their cancer type, including standard treatments and clinical trials,” NCCN’s Guidelines for Patients: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer says.
The clinical trial, which was announced as a breakthrough in 2022, is described as an “innovative alternative treatment for select patients,” by Northwestern Medicine.
Lung and bronchus cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. It’s the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, making up 20% in 2025 alone.
Wells and his family are now campaigning to raise $1.5 million to cover the cost of the travel to and completion of the procedure.
“Deron is one of the most loyal, kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet. He has given everything to his friends, his family, and his community — and now, we are coming together to fight for his life,” the GoFundMe says.
The fundraiser has garnered nearly $50,000 as of Friday evening.
Wells has appealed the denied health insurance claim, according to ABC7.
