Over 400 lung health advocates congregated at Baldwin Park in the greater Orlando area this morning, participating in the American Lung Association in Florida’s LUNG FORCE Run/Walk. The event, presented by AdventHealth, raised more than $136,000 to support the Lung Association's mission to end lung cancer and lung disease.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festive fundraiser and the LUNG FORCE initiative in Orlando. LUNG FORCE unites those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers to stand together against lung cancer. Including the funds raised at today's event, the Orlando LUNG FORCE Run/Walk has amassed over $810,000 in total to fuel the American Lung Association’s efforts to save lives through research, education, and advocacy both within Florida and beyond.
“For the past ten years, the Orlando community has rallied at our LUNG FORCE Run/Walk to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung cancer and lung disease,” said Justin Smith, Chair Elect of the Lung Association’s Central Florida Leadership Board and Strategic Advisor, Clinical Asset Management at TRIMEDX. “Thank you to our participants, volunteers, sponsors and LUNG FORCE Heroes who came together today to celebrate and spread hope. Together, we raised awareness and critical funding to help find a cure for lung cancer and save lives.”
In the Orlando area alone, more than 490,000 people suffer from lung disease including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. Lung cancer remains as America's leading cause of cancer deaths. In Florida alone this year it is estimated that over 18,580 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer while more than 10,230 will die from it.
However there is hope. More people in America are surviving lung cancer than ever before with survival rates increasing by nearly 40 percent over the last decade. Key factors contributing towards a future free of lung cancer include funding research, encouraging lung cancer screening, and reducing stigma around the disease.
The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk was made possible by Presenting Sponsor AdventHealth, Major Sponsors Sonny’s BBQ and TRIMEDX, Hero Sponsors Orlando Health, NeuroSkeletal Imaging, Allergy Asthma Specialists of Central Florida and Irvin & Irvin LLC, and Turquoise Sponsors Johnson & Johnson, Just Breathe Salt Therapy Wellness Spa and Central Florida Pulmonary Group. Kindred Hospitals also participated as a National Corporate Team Partner.
For more information or to donate, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Orlando.
