Walk raises awareness for lung cancer

(FOX Providence) - Lung cancer takes the lives of nearly 160,000 people each year.

According to the American Cancer Association in Rhode Island alone more than 800 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.

This weekend is the annual Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Event organizer Donna Perry and Jennifer Lincourt who lost her father earlier this year to lung cancer joined the Rhode Show to tell us more about the event and how you can help.

Lung Cancer in the U.S. and Rhode Island

• Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death of men and women in the United States and in Rhode Island.
• Lung cancer takes the lives of nearly 160,000 people annually – more than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers combined.
• Lung cancer takes the lives of almost twice as many American women as breast cancer annually and three times as many men as prostate cancer.
• According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 880 Rhode Island residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and approximately 590 Rhode Island residents will lose their lives to the disease this year.
• Research funding for lung cancer pales in comparison with private and public funding for other major cancers which claim fewer lives each year. This lack of research funding has dramatically slowed the progress for developing new treatments and saving lives.
• To learn more about lung cancer and help the Partnership make defeating lung cancer a national priority, visit www.NationalLungCancerParthership.org.

Free to Breathe®

• The Free to Breathe® event series unites lung cancer advocates, survivors and communities across the country to raise awareness and research funding to defeat lung cancer.
• Through Free to Breathe® events communities come together to impart hope, raise awareness and create change for lung cancer – improving the lives of everyone affected.
• Proceeds from Free to Breathe® events across the country directly fund the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s vital research, education and awareness programs.
• The National Lung Cancer Partnership is a group of leading doctors, researchers, patient advocates, and lung cancer survivors who are working together to improve treatments for lung cancer patients. The Partnership is dedicated to raising public awareness of the disease and generating funding for lung cancer research.

When: October 15, 2011
8:30 a.m. - Event Day Registration
10:00 a.m. - Welcome Ceremony
10:15 a.m. - 5K Run begins and the 1 Mile Walk will begin immediately following the 5K Run start

Where:
Roger Williams Park Zoo - Carousel House
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907

Registration Fees/Deadlines: 
$20 Online registration (Closes October 10)
$23 Mail-in registration (Must be received by October 7)
$25 Event day registration