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

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Motor City Casino Hotel with the LUNG FORCE Woosh showing

• LUNG FORCE Whoosh

DETROIT MI (05/08/2018) (readMedia)-- The American Lung Association and its LUNG FORCE initiative is turning Detroit turquoise during National Women's Lung Health Week (May 6-12) in support of those whose lives have been impacted by lung cancer.

LUNG FORCE is uniting the nation to raise voices and make lung cancer-the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and men-a public health priority.

Landmarks and communities across the nation, including the Motor City Casino & Hotel, Ally Detroit Center, One Campus Martius Building, the Federal Reserve, One Woodward and ZLot Parking in Detroit were illuminated last night in turquoise, the signature color of LUNG FORCE.

"Lung cancer has been in the shadows for far too long. When you think of cancers affecting women, most people don't initially think of lung cancer, yet it's the leading cancer killer of both women and men," said American Lung Association in Michigan's Executive Director Maureen Rovas. "We're raising awareness about lung cancer through LUNG FORCE and during National Women's Lung Health Week, and are proud to stand with those facing the disease."

In Michigan an estimated 8,780 women and men combined will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year alone. Yet according to the Lung Health Barometer, only 3 percent of women consider lung cancer a top-of-mind health concern. The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative – nationally presented by CVS Health – is seeking to change this.

On Tuesday (May 8) LUNG FORCE cookies and pins were given to all members of the Michigan House of Representative and Senate. The legislature was expected to approve a resolution naming this week as Women's Health Week and State Representative Julie Calley is scheduled to speak on the floor of the House about LUNG FORCE and Turquoise Takeover.

During National Women's Lung Health Week, the Lung Association is highlighting the experiences of LUNG FORCE Heroes, those whose lives have been impacted by lung cancer, including local Chesterfield resident. Cheryl Hauler, whose parents both had lung cancer.

"After losing my Dad to lung cancer, my mom was diagnosed 20 years later, and I decided that we needed better results. I was older and more aware. We took a more proactive approach, and I'm happy to say my mom is an 18-year survivor . . . I am determined to be a factor in more people's success stories," she said.

In mid-March, Hauler joined LUNG FORCE Heroes from across the country in Washington DC, visiting the offices of Michigan's legislators so share the message about lung cancer.

"I've been honored to know Cheryl Hauler. Through hearing her story, and other stories like hers, we can better understand the impact lung cancer has on so many lives and realize the urgent need to take action," said American Lung Association in Michigan's Director of Advocacy Ken Fletcher, who accompanied her in Washington. "Together, we are working to advocate for and fund lung cancer research, so that we can develop new treatment options and better methods of early detection."

Facts about lung cancer:

• Lung cancer accounts for only 4 percent of all American cancer survivors.

• An estimated 234,030 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.

• Risk factors include smoking as well as exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke and air pollution. Genetic factors can play a role and sometimes the cause of lung cancer is not known.

• Early detection and treatment of lung cancer translates to higher survival rates, however only 18 percent of lung cancer cases among women are diagnosed early, when the disease is more curable.

During National Women's Lung Health Week, the American Lung Association encourages everyone to get involved by wearing turquoise, turning their social media profiles turquoise, and donating at LUNGFORCE.org.

From May 6 - 26, CVS Pharmacy customers can make a donation of $1, $3 or more at the register to raise funds for lung cancer awareness, research and education. The in-store fundraising campaign is part of Be The First, a 5-year $50 million initiative funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation. Customers can also visit Lung.org/cvs for easy ways to help their communities become tobacco-free and access discounts on quit smoking resources. In addition, CVS Pharmacy will donate $1 for every pack of Extra Gum that is purchased, up to $100,000 to the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE.

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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: Lung.org.

About LUNG FORCE

LUNG FORCE is a national initiative 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.