American Lung Association Highlights Climbers' Personal Connections to Lung Cancer & COPD for Awareness Month

(November 14, 2011)—

DETROIT - With the month of November being National Lung Cancer Awareness Month as well as COPD Awareness month, many participants in the American Lung Association's upcoming Fight For Air Climb are reminded of why they chose to be a part of the event.

A team that has been participating in the Fight for Air Climb for the past five years does so in honor of their grandmother. Rick Braun's grandmother, Jane, passed away from emphysema, a form of COPD, in 2007.  

"Hope is a powerful thing. In human history, nothing has been accomplished without first having hope," said Braun. "So what all of us that participate in the Detroit Fight For Air Climb have done is taken the power back from the various lung diseases that have affected our loved ones. We have figured out how we can make a difference in the fight against lung disease. For us there is no longer fear or sorrow. There is only hope." 

Another family of climbers has participated in the past few climbs in honor of their father, Jeff Scott. Jeff was only 53 years old when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage four lung cancer after having lived a healthy, smoke-free life. Unfortunately, Jeff lost his battle to cancer in 2008 and since then his four children and wife continue to climb every year in his honor. 

Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two of the deadliest diseases in the country, yet they remain largely unnoticed. Throughout November, the American Lung Association is spotlighting these overlooked lung diseases to increase public understanding and encourage action to help prevent and treat them. 

As part of the American Lung Associations' commitment to lung health, COPD and lung cancer are featured on its website throughout the year to raise awareness and provide lung health resources.

 The American Lung Association has also partnered with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and others on NHLBI's COPD Learn More Breathe Better® campaign to educate the public about the early symptoms and signs of COPD. 

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the country, while COPD-which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis-is also a leading cause of death in the U.S. 

Approximately 373,500 Americans are living with lung cancer. In 2011, more than 221,000 new cases were diagnosed and about 157,000 Americans were expected to die from lung cancer.

This year's Fight For Air Climb will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2012 beginning at 8am at the Detroit Renaissance Center.  

The Fight For Air Climb Detroit, a competitive stair climb, is an American Lung Association in Michigan event that challenges participants to climb 70 Floors (1,085 stairs) or 40 Floors (585 stairs) of Michigan's tallest building, the Renaissance Center. 

 The Fight For Air Climb Detroit is a stair climb challenge to help increase awareness and raise money for the American Lung Association's fight against lung disease. Individuals and teams will climb to help fund lung health research, education and advocacy.

When you register for the Fight For Air Climb, you are representing the millions of Americans living with lung disease that cannot climb for themselves. 

For registration and more information on the event, please visit www.climbdetroit.org or call 1-248-784-2000.