Join the LUNG FORCE Walk to End Lung Cancer

DETROIT MI (09/10/2014)(readMedia)-- On Friday, October 3rd, the American Lung Association in Michigan will host its first LUNG FORCE Run/Walk to support the new nationwide initiative against lung cancer and for lung health.

LUNG FORCE [www.LUNGFORCE.ORG] is a new effort to make lung cancer in women a public health priority, drive policy change and increase research funding. Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women in America.

Join the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Detroit on Friday, October 3rd at 6 pm on Belle Isle Park. The night will include 5K run/walk, yoga, barre, Zumba, lung health information, live music and more. You can visit www.LUNGFORCE.ORG/WALK and register today.

"Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women in America, but alarmingly few women see lung cancer as a threat to them," said Christina Klekner, Development Manager of the American Lung Association of the Midland States. "What few people know is that lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as a cause of women's death in 1987. This has to change! This run/walk is an opportunity rally our friends, neighbors and colleagues to raise our voices against lung cancer-and for lung health for everyone."

According to the Lung Association's first Women's Lung Health Barometer, a survey of more than 1,000 American women, current awareness about the impact of lung cancer in women is extremely low. Even though lung cancer has long been the top cancer killer of women, the Barometer revealed that only 1 percent of women named the disease as a cancer that is top-of-mind for them. Furthermore, statistics show that, on average, fewer than half of all women with lung cancer will be alive one year after diagnosis. And anyone can get lung cancer – two-thirds of lung cancer cases are in those who have never smoked or have successfully quit smoking.

Here in Michigan, about 3,751 women are diagnosed with lung cancer each year and another 2,689 women lose their lives to the disease. Locally and across the nation, LUNG FORCE will educate and empower patients and healthcare providers, focus public policy on addressing the disease and its causes, and raise critical funds for research into better detection and targeted treatments for lung cancer.

The American Lung Association in Michigan offers several resources for individuals and families that have been impacted by lung cancer. Anyone seeking help can visit www.lungforce.org or call the Lung Association's Lung Helpline at at 1-800-LUNG-USA, which connects callers to information, resources and support services. Support is also available at our Facing Lung Cancer website (www.mylungcancersupport.org), a comprehensive education and support website developed specifically for patients and caregivers.

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