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

CHATTANOOGA TN (05/12/2015)(readMedia)-- NOTE: Pictures of the Illumination are available at Mary.Combi@lung.org.

Today, the American Lung Association in Tennessee 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 Chattanooga, the following buildings will be illuminated in turquoise at various times throughout the week to show support for the cause: the entrance to One Northshore; Tennessee Aquarium, the High Point Climbing building, the Liberty Tower, the Chattanooga -Hamilton Co. Health Department and Pratt Homes.

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.

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 affectedlocal resident Cathy Barker.

Her mother fought the disease and died from it in 1972. Still, Barker saw no signs in herself until she was in the hospital in 2010, about to have her own lung removed. Just days before, her husband's pulmonologist had noticed Barker coughing unusually and brought her in for scans. It turned out the cough was caused by some medication Barker was taking, but the scans revealed signs of Stage 3 lung cancer.

.Barker, now 72, was able to beat the cancer with a range of treatments. But she is one of the luckey ones. Only one in five persons diagnosed with lung cancer survive for five years.

Now in its second year, LUNG FORCE is empowering women and men in Chattanooga to share their voice and make lung cancer a public health priority.

"We are thrilled to be celebrating our second annual Turquoise Takeover in Chattanooga with the 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 Tennessee community and I'm excited to see it all come to life this year."

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 Tennessee are asking Tennessee residents to share their voices in the fight against lung cancer. Visit www.alatn.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: www.alatn.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