Lung Association Honors Volunteers during National Volunteer Week

CINCINNATI, OH (04/11/2016)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association was built on America's spirit of community that inspires us to work together for better health and longer life for all. In honor of National Volunteer Week, the American Lung Association in Ohio recognizes volunteers who share the vision of a world free of lung disease, including local volunteer Dan Klocke.

"Breathing is essential to life. Every day, and from our first breath to our last, lung health and healthy air is critical," said Beckie Galvin, Director of Volunteer Services at the American Lung Association in Ohio. "We all have this in common, and it's what rallies the strength of our volunteer grassroots network."

A variety of volunteers fuel the Lung Association's work, from the Board of Directors and regional and state leadership to LUNG FORCE Heroes, Freedom From Smoking and Better Breathers Club group facilitators and event volunteers. This includes local volunteers like Dan Klocke.

Dan Klocke has been a dedicated volunteer for the American Lung Association in Ohio since 2006. He has been a Fight for Air Climb participant and volunteer since the inaugural event, and came in 1st place overall in 2015. In 2008, Dan joined the Regional Leadership Council (Region E), and took on Regional Leadership Council Chair role in 2011.

As an ex-smoker, he immediately connected with the American Lung Association's mission, and has worked diligently to help raise funds for medical research, advocacy, and education. He was instrumental in securing event donations from his company, Great American Insurance, and is regularly a top fundraiser with any event he participates in. Since 2010, Dan has raised over $30,669.89 for the American Lung Association in Ohio – earning a brand new Prius for his outstanding fundraising efforts.

"We greatly value the work of Dan Klocke, who truly embraces our mission and works passionately at every opportunity," said Galvin. "It's dedicated volunteers like Dan that help us both connect with and support those who suffer from lung disease in our communities."

As the oldest American voluntary health organization, the American Lung Association has a long history of partnering with philanthropic citizens. The Lung Association was founded in 1904 in response to the threat of tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death at that time. With the belief that a national association should be something more than a medical society and driven by the idea that all individuals could do something about tuberculosis, the Lung Association was the first to combine the energies of physicians and laypersons in the fight against death and disease.

Now, with TB largely controlled in the U.S., the American Lung Association continues to partner with volunteers nationwide to improve lung health and prevent lung disease for all Americans. This includes 32 million Americans and 1,406,000 Ohio residents who have lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

"Whether you or someone you love has lung disease, we can all benefit from improving lung health and preventing lung disease, and building a diverse, active and engaged pool of volunteers is integral to the success of this shared goal," Galvin said.

The American Lung Association needs reliable volunteers to help us create a healthier world, free of lung disease. Opportunities are available for a variety of interests and skills, learn more at Lung.org/volunteer.

For media interested in learning more about our volunteers or speaking with an expert about lung health, contact the American Lung Association in Ohio at midland@lung.org or 1-800-LUNGUSA.

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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.