Lung cancer events set for November bring hope to those with deadly disease. The diagnosis of lung cancer is devastating, not just for the seriousness of the disease, but the stigma that comes with it. Free ME from Lung Cancer seeks to reduce the suffering caused by a diagnosis of lung cancer by raising much needed money for research, education and community support. To get there from here, three Save Your Breath events are set for November in Augusta, South Portland and Lewiston. “November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and an excellent time to acknowledge and support patients of this too-often forgotten and neglected disease, which kills more people than any other type of cancer,” said Debra Violette, president and founder of Free ME from Lung Cancer and herself a lung cancer survivor. “The stigma society places on those who have lung cancer makes them feel as though they caused their own illness, regardless of whether or not they smoke,” she said. “We can blow away that destructive haze with better education about what really causes lung cancer and what can be done to prevent or cure it.” “It is not just a smoker’s disease. Anyone can get lung cancer. If you have lungs you can get lung cancer,” said Violette. “Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. It is the second leading cause of all deaths. Yet lung cancer research continues to be woefully underfunded in comparison to other major cancers. We can change these statistics one step at a time and that’s what the Save Your Breath events are all about.” Save Your Breath is hosted by the Free ME from Lung Cancer, a Maine-based nonprofit organization and Genentech. In the first-ever event in Augusta last year, more than 100 people participated and raised nearly $10,000. With the success of last year’s event in Augusta, Free ME from Lung cancer has also added events in South Portland and Lewiston. This year, the goal is to raise $50,000 total at the three events with 200 participants at the Augusta event and 100 each at the new events in South Portland and Lewiston. The second annual Save Your Breath will be held in Augusta November 2nd. Participants will gather beginning at 9 a.m. at the Buker School, 21 Armory Street. There will be a light breakfast, silent auction and vendor tables, including an interactive radon information table and a tattoo table for the children. The ceremony kicks off the event at 10:30 a.m., featuring Augusta Mayor William R. Stokes as emcee. Lung cancer survivor Mary K. Spencer will tell her story and Dr. Andrew Hertler from the Alfond Cancer Center will speak on the latest developments in cancer treatment. The 2K walk begins at 11:00 a.m. Free ME from Lung Cancer is also hosting the first-ever Save Your Breath 5K Fun Run/Walk in South Portland November 9th. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Southern Maine Community College, Jewett Hall, 2 Fort Road. A ceremony kicks off the event at 10:00 a.m., featuring Tracy Sabol as emcee. It will begin with a reading of a proclamation by Mayor Thomas Blake, lung cancer survivor Justin Perry will tell his story and Dr. Tracy Weigel from Maine Medical Center will speak on the latest developments in cancer treatment. The 5k fun run/walk will begin with runners at 10:30 a.m. followed by walkers at 11 a.m. In Lewiston, Free ME from Lung Cancer will partner with University of Southern Maine – Lewiston Auburn Nursing Community CARE Partnership students Regina Preston, Catherine Prendergast, and Chelsea Hebert to host the first Save Your Breath 1K walk November 16th at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn Campus, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston. Doors open at 9 a.m. The walk begins at 10 a.m. Participants should meet in the South Lobby. To register for these events online, go to FreeMEfromLungCancer.org. Online registration is $20. Participants may also register by mail for $22 or at the event for $24. Those registering on event day are not guaranteed a T-shirt. Online and mail-in registration closes October 15. “The Save Your Breath events connect all those touched by the lung cancer offering support, empowerment and encouragement,” said Violette. “It helps lung cancer patients, families and caregivers get to know others facing this disease and provide them with hope and inspiration.” Money raised at Save Your Breath events support Free ME from Lung Cancer, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to reduce the suffering caused by a diagnosis of lung cancer by raising much needed money for lung cancer research, education and community support. For more information on how you can help, please contact Deb Violette at 207-215-9035 or email her at lung.support@gmail.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 17:22:01 +0000
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