#United States #Washington, D.C. #Lung Cancer #LUNGevity #Awareness Month

LUNGevity Foundation Takes the Lead for Lung Cancer Awareness Month

This November, the LUNGevity Foundation is spearheading the national observance of Lung Cancer Awareness Month (LCAM), launching a series of impactful events, campaigns, and educational initiatives. This month serves as a powerful platform to illuminate the advancements made in lung cancer research, while also addressing the imperative need for early detection and effective disease management.

The Importance of Lung Cancer Awareness

Lung cancer holds the grim distinction of being the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, surpassing the combined fatalities from breast, prostate, ovarian, and kidney cancers. However, the narrative is shifting. Thanks to heightened awareness, groundbreaking research, and the relentless advocacy of organizations like LUNGevity, survival rates are on the rise.

According to Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation, “This month is about more than awareness; it’s a call to action. We stand at a pivotal moment in lung cancer research, where individuals are living longer and better. However, our journey is far from complete. We must improve lung cancer screening, raise funds for early detection technologies, and guarantee access to care that can save lives.”

Key Initiatives and Events

Throughout November, LUNGevity is organizing several significant initiatives:

• - Awareness Campaigns: The foundation continues its poignant campaign titled “Anyone with Lungs Can Get Lung Cancer,” which stresses that lung cancer does not discriminate by age, gender, or smoking history, providing actionable items for the public to engage with.
• - Memorial Installations: To honor the 120,000 Americans who succumb to lung cancer annually, 60,000 white flags are being installed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with similar displays in Boston, MA, and Baton Rouge, LA, symbolizing the widespread impact of this disease.
• - Breathe Deep TOGETHER Events: A series of lung health resource fairs will take place on November 8 in major cities including Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City, coupled with a nationwide virtual event titled Breathe Deep Anywhere, featuring partner events organized in cooperation with the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI).
• - National Lung Cancer Screening Day: Also occurring on November 8, this coordinated movement seeks to enhance the uptake of low-dose CT screenings to facilitate early diagnosis.
• - Cancer Biomarker Awareness Day: Scheduled for November 13, this day will highlight the significance of precision medicine in improving treatment outcomes across various cancers.
• - Family Caregivers Month: The ongoing recognition of National Family Caregivers Month will honor the contributions of those who tirelessly care for and advocate for their loved ones.

LUNGevity expresses gratitude towards its generous sponsors, including AbbVie, Amgen, and Merck & Co., whose support is instrumental in driving significant awareness and change within the lung cancer community. The goal of Lung Cancer Awareness Month is unequivocally clear: to communicate that anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer. Through pioneering research, education, and advocacy, LUNGevity aims to create a future where lung cancer is detected promptly, treated effectively, and ultimately curable.

For those looking to participate in Lung Cancer Awareness Month, more information can be found at LUNGevity.org/LCAM.

About LUNGevity Foundation

LUNGevity is recognized as the leading lung cancer organization in the United States, with a mission focused on transforming the experience of diagnosis and living with lung cancer. The foundation aims to make a tangible impact on the quality of life and survival rates of all individuals affected by the disease while promoting health equity.

Through innovative research, LUNGevity is dedicated to identifying lung cancer in its most treatable stages; advancing research for new treatments; and ensuring a diverse array of future investigators in the lung cancer field.

In the advocacy realm, LUNGevity works to create groundbreaking collaborations that guarantee universal access to screenings, biomarker testing, and novel treatment breakthroughs. Its community initiatives educate, support, and connect people affected by lung cancer, facilitating access to optimal healthcare and bolstering longevity and quality of life.

With comprehensive resources including a patient-focused website, specialized Patient Gateways, a toll-free HELPLine for personalized support, international survivor conferences, and tools to identify clinical trials, LUNGevity is committed to achieving its vision: a world where lung cancer is no longer a death sentence. LUNGevity Foundation proudly holds the honor of being a four-star Charity Navigator organization. To learn more, visit LUNGevity.org.