10,000 Americans Striding To Raise Funds For Lung Cancer Research

Main Category: Lung Cancer
Article Date: 09 Aug 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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In a grassroots effort that has grown by 5,000% in four years, more than 10,000 individuals over 30 days across 12 states will be striding toward a cure for lung cancer this Fall. Benefiting LUNGevity Foundation, these 20,000 feet are walking and running to raise money for innovative research in the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of the nation's number one cancer killer.

LUNGevity's first walk occurred in 2004 in New Jersey, attracted 75 walkers, and raised $30,000. This year, LUNGevity anticipates that 45 events, which include walks, 5K runs, and marathons, will raise $1.2 million.

LUNGevity Foundation is the nation's leading private supporter of lung cancer research. Since its inception in 2001 by seven lung cancer survivors, LUNGevity has committed more than $3.7 million to lung cancer research.

The LUNGevity events are organized by volunteers, most of whom are either lung cancer survivors or have had family members affected by the disease. The LUNGevity staff provides support for event coordinators and participants, and produces its own events in its hometown of Chicago.

"We get calls every day from people who are interested in walking to support lung cancer research," said Beth Ida Stern, Executive Director of LUNGevity. "People are literally walking to save their own lives."

In 2007, an estimated 213,380 people will be newly diagnosed with lung cancer, and an estimated 160,390 people will die of the disease. Lung cancer kills more people each year than breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers combined. And it receives far less than any of those cancers individually.

For more information about LUNGevity's events calendar, medical research, or support for the lung cancer community, visit http://www.lungevity.org.

About the LUNGevity Foundation:

As the pioneer organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research, LUNGevity Foundation is the leading private provider of research funding for the nation's number one cancer killer. The Foundation's goal is to save the lives of the 213,000 Americans newly diagnosed with lung cancer each year, 85 percent of whom will die within five years without the development of new treatment methods. Partnering with the foremost physicians and research scientists in the world, the LUNGevity Foundation funds innovative research designed to treat and cure lung cancer.

LUNGevity Foundation
http://www.lungevity.org