More media attention, lung cancer specific events and general interest this year than ever before were seen.  Here are some of the highlights by Lung Cancer Alliance:

National Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigils--64 vigils took place in 30 states this November!  From Hawaii to Idaho to Texas to New Hampshire and many states in between volunteers came together to bring compassion and support to the lung cancer community.  Anchored by vigils hosted by LCA chapters in Massachusetts, New York and Kentucky, these events honored loved ones and increased understanding of lung cancer throughout the country.  Many vigils were featured in news stories and editorials.  In Seattle, a video was made as well!  Go to LCA's Facebook Page to read the stories and watch the video. 

Team Lung Love--On November 20-21 in Philadelphia, members of Team Lung Love competed in the Rothman 8K and the Philadelphia Half and Full Marathons!  There were over 50 team members, including two lung cancer survivors!, running and walking for lung cancer.  The team raised close to $60,000 to support LCA's mission!  Next up, the Livestrong Marathon in Austin on February 20, 2011.  For more informaiton, go to www.teamlunglove.org.

Other Stellar Events!
No More Excuses Run/Walk, Atlanta, GA--The LCA-GA Chapter kicked off November by hosting the 2nd Annual No More Excuses 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk.  This year, over 600 Georgians came out on a frigid morning to support the lung cancer movement in Georgia which is growing by the day!

7th Annual Race for Breath, Virginia Beach, VA--Lung cancer survivor, Cathi Reade and Race for Breath founders Kelli Burke Jennings and Stacy Emanuel hosted the 7th Annual Run/Walk on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach.  They have maintained this event and grown it into the premiere event for lung cancer in the area. 

Walk for Ardith, Washington, DC--A group of women in the DC Metro area walked through the streets of DC in support of their friend, Ardith.  They ended their walk at a restaurant and enjoyed lunch together.  It was a touching and creative way to honor their friend. 

Inaugural Ride for Your Breath, Fullerton, CA--Hosted by St. Jude's Medical Center and organized by Lea Powell, the ride featured a 5, 10, or 35 mile course.  Riders honored loved ones while participating in a fun and healthy way to support a great cause!

Lisa's 4th Annual Lung Cancer Awareness Run/Walk, Lowell, MA--Four years ago, Diane LeBlanc started this run/walk in honor of her sister.  Each year it has grown and drawn more attention to lung cancer throughout New England.  A special shout out goes to the Indians High School Hockey Team who ran the race together in honor of a teammate's mom.  Way to go, guys!

On November 4th, the National Cancer Institute announced results from its screening trial.  They were remarkable.  When using a low dose CT scan to screen those at high risk for lung cancer, the overall mortality of the disease is reduced by 20%!  There was a lot of media attention surrounding this news, including an Op Ed on Huffington Post by LCA President & CEO, Laurie Fenton Ambrose as well as a guest column by lung cancer survivor, Charles Horner in Stars and Stripes.
Read Laurie's Op Ed 
Read Mr. Horner's Piece

LCA's Give a Scan program was featured by "What You Can Do 365."  The whole premise of this initiative is to help people learn how they can change the world in just 60 seconds.  Watch Now and Change the World!

Stay tuned for more updates from 2010 and information on the new, exciting initiatives already underway for lung cancer in 2011!  Together, we are changing lung cancer as we know it!  Keep up the good work!

by Kcancer - 11/08/2009 - 01:33 Somehow, somewhere along the line, it became acceptable for us to lay the blame upon the patients with lung cancer. It is wrong that lung cancer patients are not worthy of our sympathy because they had smoked.