Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund Raises $15,000 for the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute

March 29, 2011 - PRLog -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund’s Annual “Dancing for Joan” event was a huge success, committing $15,000 to international Lung Cancer research through the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALMCI).

CNN Anchor Nancy Grace served again this year as the evening’s emcee for a crowd of more than 200 people who came together on February 26, 2011 at the Pavillion of East Cobb in Marietta, Georgia.

Also returning this year was the event's Honorary Chairman Dr. Paul Scheinberg, Chief of Staff at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. This year's annual Hummingbird Award for Dedication was presented to Alice Kerber, RN - also of Saint Joseph's Hospital - for her tireless work as a Lung Cancer advocate and oncology navigator.

“We are very excited about the partnership with ALMCI and for what our annual event was able to accomplish,” says Joe Gaeta, president of The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund, and son of the late Joan Gaeta, in whose memory the organization was founded. “We are confident that our supporter’s generous donations will make a deep and immediate impact with ALCMI.”

In July of 2010, the Gaetas announced their formal partnership with The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute, committing 85 percent of their net proceeds to the excellent work ALCMI is doing. Remaining funds are used in metro Atlanta for an annual awareness campaign and to sponsor the Lung Cancer support group.


“We are deeply thankful to the Gaeta Family for their commitment to ending Lung Cancer in Joan's memory,” says Bonnie J. Addario, founder. “It is with partners like the Gaeta Fund that will allow ALCMI to begin to raise the 'curability' of Lung Cancer in a significant way.”

A lifelong non-smoker, Joan Gaeta was a devoted wife, teacher, and mother of five. Diagnosed with Lung Cancer in early 2004, she fought a three and a half year battle before succumbing in July of 2007.

During that time, Joan stressed the need for greater awareness of Lung Cancer, the number one cancer killer in the world, which has a very low survival rate and a tragic lack of research funds. She was most passionate about eliminating the stigma of the disease, since lung cancer also strikes non-smokers at a high rate.

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ABOUT THE JOAN GAETA LUNG CANCER FUND
The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund was created in the fall of 2007 as The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Foundation by her husband and children to raise awareness of the disease, to educate the public, and to be an advocate for research. We also strive to eliminate the stigma of lung cancer and to support survivors and their loved ones in our local community.

In July of 2010, they re-launched as The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund benefiting the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute. Their ultimate goal remains the same: “to eradicate lung cancer.” By partnering with one significant research initiative, they can make a much greater impact in wiping out lung cancer.

forjoan.org

ABOUT THE ADDARIO LUNG CANCER MEDICAL INSTITUTE (ALCMI)
The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) is dedicated to catalyzing and accelerating the discovery, development and delivery of new and more effective treatment options for Lung Cancer patients.

alcmi.net