Second Annual “Dancing For Joan” Raises $35,000 For Lung Cancer Awareness And Research

March 3, 2009 - PRLog -- (Atlanta, GA) The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Foundation announced today  that the organization raised $35,000 at its second annual gala event on Saturday, February 21st, 2009.  Hours of music, dancing, dining, and silent auction were the order of evening - along with some very important information about lung cancer.

The event was emceed by CNN’s Nancy Grace.  Ms. Grace also promoted the foundation on her television program throughout the weeks before and after the event.

Party-goers viewed an important informational video entitled “This is Lung Cancer” which detailed the unfortunate statistics about the disease and its lack of significant research funding.  The presentation also put a human face on the number one cancer killer in the world.  

Honorary Chairman Paul Scheinberg, Chief of Staff at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta spoke to the crowd as well, highlighting the need for much more awareness and research funding.

The specific use of the money raised will be announced by the foundation in the coming weeks.  The information will be publicly available at their web site, www.forjoan.org.  It will also be communicated to their supporters individually.

AWARDS

Honored with the 2009 Hummingbird Award for Dedication was Mr. William Erb of Atlanta for his $5 million donation to Saint Joseph’s Hospital as well as for his subsidizing the lung cancer screenings of his employees.  The 2009 Hummingbird Award for Community Service went to Mr. Tom Simon of Atlanta for his extensive work with lung cancer support groups in and around Atlanta.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT LUNG CANCER

Even if you have never smoked, you can get lung cancer. 60% of new cases are now diagnosed in non-smokers and former smokers. Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women. Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with the disease. It kills more people each year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, and kidney cancer combined. It surpassed breast cancer of the #1 killer of women in 1987. The five year survival rate for lung cancer is still only 15% - the same as it was over 35 years ago. By contrast, breast cancer now has a five year survival rate of well over 85% and prostate cancer has over a 99% survival rate.

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Established in the fall of 2007, The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Foundation was created to raise awareness, to educate the public, and to be an advocate for research. They also strive to eliminate the stigma of lung cancer and support survivors and their loved ones in our local community.

A life long non-smoker, Joan Gaeta was a devoted wife, teacher, and mother of five. Diagnosed in early 2004, she fought a three and a half year battle before succumbing to the cancer in July of 2007.

If you would like more information about this foundation and this annual event - or to schedule and interview with Joe Gaeta - please call 404-435-7376 or send an e-mail to gaetafoundation@gmail.com. You may also visit www.forjoan.org.