The American Lung Association in South Carolina has announced the return of its annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, scheduled for November 15 at Folly Beach County Park. The event, now in its twelfth year, aims to bring together the Charleston community to raise awareness and funds for lung health.
Organizers say the run/walk coincides with Lung Cancer Awareness Month and serves as an opportunity to honor survivors, remember those lost to lung cancer, and support individuals currently facing the disease. “This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we are calling for the Charleston community to help put an end to lung cancer and lung disease one step at a time,” said LUNG FORCE Run/Walk co-chairs Eleanor Hardy and Elaine Carew. “Thanks to the support of our participants, volunteers and sponsors, we’re closing in on $1 million raised since the LUNG FORCE campaign launched in 2015. $1 million in funding is the equivalent of supporting nearly 5.5 years of lung cancer research. Thanks to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, more people are surviving lung cancer than ever before. Please join us to keep up the momentum and save more lives.”
Participants are encouraged to wear turquoise clothing or accessories—the signature color of LUNG FORCE—to symbolize hope and unity against lung cancer. The event will start and finish at the Dunes House on Folly Beach, featuring a timed 5K route along the sand. Registration is open to all individuals regardless of fitness level, including survivors, caregivers, families, company teams, and pets. The registration fee is $40; additional details can be found at https://www.lungforce.org/charleston.
Funds raised from this event will support research initiatives as well as programs benefiting approximately 765,000 South Carolinians living with conditions such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. According to state data, South Carolina’s rate of new lung cancer cases exceeds national averages; over 4,700 residents are expected to receive a diagnosis this year alone.
Early detection through screening remains critical for improving survival rates among those diagnosed with lung cancer. Information about low-dose CT scans for early detection is available at https://www.savedbythescan.org/.
