American Lung Association to Host Inaugural LUNG FORCE Walk Los Angeles to End Lung Cancer

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- The American Lung Association in California will host the first annual LUNG FORCE Walk on Saturday, November 1 in support of a nationwide initiative against lung cancer and in support of lung health.  Emceed by Daniella Guzman and Whit Johnson, co-anchors of “Today in LA” morning news on NBC4 Southern California, the 5K walk takes place at Exposition Park starting at 8 AM. The event includes family-fun activities, musical performances and meet and greets with LUNG FORCE Heroes: individuals who have chosen to raise awareness while battling lung disease.

Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and singer, Kristin Chenoweth, will be onsite as the special guest to help kick off the LUNG FORCE Walk in Los Angeles. Hear Kristin talk about her personal experience living with asthma and an exciting public service campaign she is a part of called Know Your Count! For more information, visit www.KnowYourCount.com.

“Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of women in America, but alarmingly few women see lung cancer as a threat to them,” said Dr. Daniel Oh, Assistant Professor of Thoracic Surgery at USC’s Keck School of Medicine.  “What few people know is that lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of women’s cancer death in 1987 and today it claims more lives than breast, colon, pancreas and prostate cancers combined. The LUNG FORCE Walk provides an opportunity to rally our friends, neighbors and colleagues to raise our voices against lung cancer—and for lung health for everyone in Los Angeles and beyond.”

For more information on the LUNG FORCE Los Angeles walk, including registration details, please visit: LUNGFORCE.ORG/Walk (http://action.lung.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=10130)

“Raising public awareness for lung cancer and working to focus resources on lung cancer research, screening and treatments is extremely important given the statistics,” said Cynthia Munzer, Associate Professor for USC’s Thornton School of Music’s Department of Vocal Arts and Opera.  Cynthia, a LUNG FORCE HERO was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago and has shown incredible strength, courage and advocacy while battling the disease.

ABOUT LUNG FORCE

LUNG FORCE (www.LUNGFORCE.ORG) (http://www.lungforce.org/) aims to make lung cancer in women a public health priority, drive policy change and increase research funding.  Lung cancer is now the #1 cancer killer of both men and women in America. Locally and across the nation, LUNG FORCE educates and empowers patients and healthcare providers, focuses public policy on addressing the disease and its causes, and raises critical funds for research into better detection and targeted treatments for lung cancer.

The American Lung Association in California offers several resources for individuals and families impacted by lung cancer.  Anyone seeking help can visit LUNGFORCE.ORG or call the Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNG-USA, which connects callers to information, resources and support services. Support is also available at our Facing Lung Cancer (http://www.mylungcancersupport.org/) website (www.mylungcancersupport.org), a comprehensive education and support website developed specifically for patients and caregivers.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org/california.

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