American Lung Association - Fighting for Air

Lung Cancer Locally

Lung Cancer Facts and Statistics

• Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer for both men and women. More people will lose their life to lung cancer than breast, colon, prostate, melanoma, and kidney cancers… combined.
• Lung disease is the number three killer (following heart disease and cancer) in the United States, responsible for one in six deaths.
• Lung disease death rates are not decreasing as quickly as other major causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke, are declining.
• Overall, various forms of lung disease and breathing problems constitute one of the leading causes of death in babies under the age of one year, accounting for 19.2 percent of infant deaths in 2006.
• More than 35 million Americans have chronic lung diseases.
• An estimated 438,000 Americans die each year from diseases directly related to cigarette smoking, including lung and heart diseases.
• Millions of children and adults with lung disease in this country are exposed to levels of ozone and particle air pollution that could potentially make them sick.
• Lung disease costs the U.S. economy $108.9 billion in direct health care expenditures every year, plus indirect costs of $64.5 billion—a total of $173 billion.

How does your fundraising help? 

The American Lung Association of the Southeast has committed to giving $100,000.00 to research by the end of this fiscal year! We will be funding one local and one national peer-reviewed research project AND we will be co-funding 4 local projects with our national office! The American Lung Association of the Southeast also served more than 33,000 people with our programs last year from smoking cessation to asthma management and our goal is to increase the number of people served by our programs this year. 80 cents of every dollar raised goes to programs, services, research, and public health education LOCALLY. The remaining 20 cents per dollar helps the American Lung Association staff in Central Florida cover fundraising costs and administration. We are making strides with programs, research, and advocacy but we need you to help us in our Fight for Air! Join us in our efforts by starting a team or making a tax deductible donation today!

Lung Cancer Support Group

Here in Central Florida we are proud to say that we have the ONLY American Lung Association Lung Cancer specific support group in the county! On the national level, there is a task force working to replicate our program success to grow the amount of support groups focusing on lung cancer on a national level.

The purpose of the lung cancer support group is to improve the quality of life of anyone who has been affected by lung cancer. Support groups provide a safe setting where those affected by lung cancer can come together with others who have faced or are facing similar challenges. According to Mayo Clinic staff, support groups offer benefits that are crucial to improving the quality of life for people affected by lung cancer by allowing an opportunity for making connections, improving coping skills, getting motivated and finding hope[1].

The support group topics range from educational and medical in nature to inspiring and fun. Our group participants include current lung cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family members, and friends. These meetings are held at the American Lung Association of Central Florida in Baldwin Park at 851 Outer Road Orlando, FL 32814. The support group meets every second Tuesday of the month and each meeting is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes in length, lasting from 5:30pm-6:45pm. All support group participants are provided with dinner before the meeting starts.

Lung cancer support group members are presented with the following during their monthly meetings:

• Resources and shared information that comes from the wide variety of participants with the common thread of lung cancer.
• Featured speakers (local doctors, nurses, medical staff etc.) who will provide educational information to lung cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, family members and friends.
• Featured speakers who will build self-confidence in the ability for lung cancer patients and loved ones to manage their disease.
• Featured specialists that will present on how to manage the day to day needs of lung cancer patients, and loved ones (hair, makeup etc.).
• A sense of community among others who are affected by the disease.
• A safe place to express concerns about lung cancer.