American Lung Association in Kentucky Turns Turquoise in Honor of National Women's Lung Health Week

LOUISVILLE KY (05/12/2015)(readMedia)-- NOTE: PICTURES OF THE ILLUMINATED LANDMARKS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING MARY.COMBI@LUNG.ORG

Today, the American Lung Association in Kentucky is supporting LUNG FORCE during National Women's Lung Health Week (May 10th – 16th) by turning local landmarks turquoise in an effort to defeat lung cancer in women. LUNG FORCE is a movement launched by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women.

In Louisville, the Kentucky Center for the Arts and the LG&E Center will be illuminated in turquoise to show support for the cause.

Every eight minutes, a woman in the United States dies of lung cancer. Yet, there is a disconnect in awareness. Only 1 percent of women cite lung cancer as a women's cancer that is top-of-mind for them, according to the American Lung Association's Women's Lung Health Barometer. (www.lungforce/barometer) However, lung cancer kills twice as many women as any other cancer.

Now in its second year, LUNG FORCE is empowering women and men in Louisville to share their voice and make lung cancer a public health priority. The local Louisville community is encouraged to join the American Lung Association tonight to kick off lung cancer awareness among women by joining us at Butchertown Market between 5 and 6:30 pm. All are asked to wear turquoise for this exclusive networking experience when all the shops will be staying open later for this event.

In addition a LUNG FORCE Walk is scheduled in Louisville on Saturday, June 13, at the Louisville Water Tower. To register, participate or help raise funds for the important work LUNG FORCE is doing in Kentucky and nationwide, visit LUNGFORCE.org/walk or www.kylung.org.

"We are thrilled to be celebrating our second annual Turquoise Takeover in Louisville with the reception and illuminations," said Barry Gottschalk, president and CEO of the American Lung Association locally. "Since launching LUNG FORCE last year, we've made great strides in spreading awareness among the Kentucky community and I'm excited to see it all come to life this year."

The most important focus of this campaign, however, are the women and families whose lives have been forever changed as a result of a lung cancer diagnosis.

The disease has personally affected Cathy Zion, Today's Woman magazine owner/publisher and an American Lung Association LUNG FORCE hero. She cared for her mother during her six-month battle with lung cancer until she passed away in 2003. During this time, she became aware of the clinical trials about the development of low-dose CT scans for effective screening and decided to have one even though it was not covered by insurance and she did not fit the high risk profile although she had smoked in my 20's and 30's. The scan was scheduled and the initial report showed a spot on her left lung that could have been attributed to pneumonia. A follow up in six months was recommended, which showed the same thing. However, the follow-up CT in June of 2014 indicated an increase in the size and a CT-guided needle biopsy was scheduled. On July 2, she was told it was malignant. Strangely, she was not surprised but rather, felt very thankful that it had been caught so early. On July 18, she underwent surgery where her upper left lobeof her lung was removed laproscopically. The cancer had not spread to any of her lymph nodes. She was out of the hospital six days later and back to the office in three weeks. She will be following up every six months with CT scans and spreading the word about low-dose CT lung scans.

CVS/pharmacy Launches In-Store Fundraising Campaign

Now through Saturday, May 23rd, CVS/pharmacy customers can support LUNG FORCE when they donate $1, $3, or more at the register or online at www.cvs.com/lung (all proceeds will support the movement). CVS Health is the National Presenting sponsor of LUNG FORCE.

Additional Ways to Share Your Voice

The American Lung Association and the American Lung Association in Kentucky are asking Kentucky residents to share their voices in the fight against lung cancer. Visit www.kylung.org to learn how to participate:

• SHARE: Share your voice on social media using the hashtag #ShareYourVoice and #LUNGFORCE or in one of the following ways:

o Turn your social media profiles turquoise or post a turquoise selfie, using the hashtag #ShareYourVoice and #LUNGFORCE. Like the LUNG FORCE Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/LungForce?fref=ts) and follow LUNG FORCE on Twitter (https//twitter.com/lungforce)

o If lung cancer has touched your life or someone you love, please share your story at LUNGFORCE.org/share-your-story

o Tell your local Senators and Representatives to invest in lung cancer research at LUNGFORCE.org/take-action

• DONATE: A donation supports the American Lung Association's investment in lung cancer research and public health promotion, including early detection, clinical trials, biomarker testing and more federal research funding, as well as the overall mission of the American Lung Association.

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: kylung.org.

About LUNG FORCE

LUNG FORCE is a new national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women. LUNG FORCE has three priorities: 1) Make lung cancer a cause that people care about – and act on; 2) Educate and empower patients and healthcare providers and 3) Raise critical funds for lung cancer research. The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE is nationally presented by CVS Health. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.

About CVS Health

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 7,800 retail drugstores, nearly 1,000 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 70 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.