Connie Alexakos, a UtahRadon.org advisory board member, a radon advocate and beloved member of our community, passed away in the spring of 2025 from radon-induced lung cancer. A celebration of life was held in September, where family and friends came together to share memories and honor Connie’s life.
We would love to share her story with you once more as we grieve the loss of such a passionate radon activist, and we encourage you to honor her legacy with a plan for radon testing in your home.
Connie’s diagnosis story
Connie was diagnosed with stage four non-smoking lung cancer at 75 years old. After two years of symptoms that resembled seasonal allergies, she finally received imaging that showed lung cancer that had metastasized to her bones and liver.
Connie's son, Ted, was shocked to hear her diagnosis and immediately wondered if it was due to environmental factors. He was right—Connie had unknowingly been exposed to incredibly high levels of radon gas in her home. Her at-home radon test showed radon levels of 14 pCi/L, which is equivalent to smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day. For context, leading health organizations recommend installing a radon mitigation system between 2–4 pCi/L. Even worse, her son’s home tested at 26 pCi/L.
Connie’s dedication to advocacy
After a year of treatment, Connie’s cancer spread to her brain. Connie remained steadfast with a positive attitude, and dedicated her time to educating the public about radon-induced illnesses so others could avoid the same outcome.
Connie joined the UtahRadon.org advisory board and was featured in several KSL news articles to encourage Utahns to test their homes. "I want all Utahns to know that radon is the number one cause of non-smoking related lung cancer, and by the time you know about it and do something about it, it could be way too late," shared Connie. "If I'd known about this at stage one, it could have been a much easier way to treat it."
Connie’s immediate family celebrated her life at a gathering in September 2025.
Honoring Connie’s legacy
The team at UtahRadon.org has always been in awe of Connie and her passion for the cause; we are grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside her. We know her impact will be spread far and wide, and we encourage any readers to join us in honoring her legacy.
Connie wanted all Utahns to test their homes for radon and to install a mitigation system if their home tests high. She also urged healthcare providers to become more aware of radon and the impact it can have on your health. When her symptoms began, Connie started seeing a local physician, and had they been more educated about radon—especially in Summit County where radon levels are often high—her disease may have been caught before it spread.
All homes should be tested for radon every two years, alternating between summer and winter. If you already have a plan in place for radon testing, we encourage you to celebrate Connie’s life by talking to a loved one about testing their home for radon, too.
