TOP NEWS
Lung Cancer Awareness Month: During November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we are uniting the nation to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. This month, the Lung Association will be sharing lung cancer resources, our State of Lung Cancer Report (coming on November 15) inspiring patient stories and lifesaving information about lung cancer screening. Learn more at Lung.org/LCAM.
November is National COPD Awareness Month! Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects more than 12 million Americans. The American Lung Association is committed to supporting those affected by this preventable and treatable disease. This month, we encourage you to explore the impact of COPD through our updated COPD Trends Brief and learn tips to manage your disease or find support at Lung.org/COPD.
Understanding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) –
Many parts of the country are experiencing an early and severe uptick in cases of RSV. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants. This common respiratory virus often produces mild symptoms, but it can be unpredictable and quickly worsen to severe illness. To help expectant and new parents be prepared for this seasonal respiratory virus, the Lung Association has partnered with Sanofi to create new web content such as an Understanding RSV animation in English and Spanish, a blog highlighting a personal story, a PSA, patient and provider videos and a handout. Learn more at Lung.org/RSV.
Continuing to Increase Our Research Investment: Lung health research is more important than ever. Never have we faced so many challenges to our lung health, including COVID-19, vaping and smoke from increased wildfires. Thanks to your support the Lung Association is proud to announce we are investing an additional $13.2 million to accelerate lung health research for 2022-2023. For this round of funding, we have placed a focus on grants that focus on equity like the Harold Amos Scholar. Meet the scientists who are helping to make a difference: Lung.org/research-team
Enroll Now for Healthcare Coverage! Enrollment for healthcare on Healthcare.gov is open through January 15 in most states. The American Lung Association has tools and information to help patients, including updated FAQs about the enrollment process and infographics to help patients with asthma and COPD choose a healthcare plan. We especially encourage you to watch our new videos with our LUNG FORCE heroes John and Tammie about the importance of quality, affordable healthcare for people with lung cancer. Please share the resources at www.lung.org/openenrollment with your family and friends!
Listen to Lungcast™
November’s National COPD Awareness Month presents the perfect time to revisit our past episodes on various COPD-related topics. In particular, you can check out episode #18 with Dr. Gerard Criner at Temple University which summarizes recent clinical trials and research studies in the COPD field. Episode #5 is similarly worth a listen when Dr. MeiLan Han at University of Michigan joins us to recap current advances and ongoing COPD research. Tune into these enlightening interviews—and more! —at: Lung.org/lungcast
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from COVID-19: Learn more and how to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Please GIVE to the COVID-19 Action Initiative so we can help end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory viruses. Find the latest information at Lung.org/covid19 and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels and share these timely messages with your network.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Make a Difference with a Vehicle Donation: Did you know that you can donate a vehicle to the Lung Association? Your donation will provide funding for important research, education and advocacy that can help save lives. Learn more about our Vehicle Donation Program. Donating is easy with free pick-up and support – in fact, each vehicle donation is tax deductible!
We need your help and support! There are opportunities near you throughout the year to show your support for lung health and help drive our lifesaving mission forward, including our Fight For Air Climbs in February!. Explore our events that appeal to a full range of interests.
LUNG CANCER
LUNG FORCE Hero: John A. experienced an injury that required x-rays of his shoulder. One of them unexpectedly showed a spot on his left lung. That was just the beginning of John’s lung cancer journey. In 2018, he was honored to be the guest speaker at the RUSH Annual Survivor Banquet and connected with the American Lung Association where he now continues to fight for research as an advocate for lung cancer patients and survivors.
“As an African American, it was sad to hear so many men of color were passing from lung cancer than any other demographic and I want to ensure we have a voice and are educated about diagnosis and treatments for lung cancer. I want to be engaged by raising awareness and fund raising,” he says. Read more
Learn More about Lung Cancer Biomarker Testing: Join us on November 16, at 1 – 2 p.m. ET for a free webinar about Lung Cancer Biomarker Testing. This webinar will focus on the importance of testing for biomarkers, how the results can improve your course of treatment, and your Lung Cancer experience. Register here.
Saved by the Scan Campaign Increases Lung Cancer Screenings in South Florida
Baptist Health South Florida and the American Lung Association announced they will extend their partnership to raise awareness for lung cancer screenings through the successful “Saved by the Scan” campaign. In just one year, this campaign has made a lifesaving impact at Baptist Health with a 62% increase year-over-year of lung cancer screenings and a 29% increase over pre-COVID numbers. For more information about the campaign, visit BaptistHealth.net/LungScreening..
RESEARCH
Lung Health Cohort Research Study Now Enrolling: How does lung disease develop in young lungs? That’s one of the main questions to be answered by a pioneering long-term study of young adult lungs. The American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort Research Study will track 4,000 young adults at an age of peak lung health in order to understand how lung disease starts and how lung function declines over time. Knowing those things will help predict and prevent lung disease. Recruitment efforts have begun at many top institutions across the country. Learn more at: Lung.org/lung-study.
IRB00236497 | Principal Investigator: Dr. Elizabeth Sugar
HEALTHY AIR
Clean Electric School Buses to Replace Dirty Diesels!
On October 26, EPA announced nearly $1 billion in awards for school districts to purchase clean school buses. The recipients include school districts in every state, plus Tribes and territories, and the funds will allow them to purchase electric school buses and the infrastructure to charge them. This is a major step forward for health, both for kids who ride the bus and for school communities and neighborhoods who are exposed to dangerous emissions from diesel buses. It’s also a big victory for health equity, with 99% of the funds going to priority districts that serve low-income, rural or Tribal students.
The Lung Association ran an advocacy campaign in support of Congress passing investments in electric school buses (including this hard-hitting ad) in 2021, and celebrated the inclusion of $5 billion for a new Clean School Bus Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This announcement is the first batch of this funding to go out to school districts, with more on the way.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Why your child needs a flu vaccine. Flu season is here and children can experience severe symptoms! Our expert Dr. Juanita Mora answers questions about why your child needs a flu vaccine.
Giving Thanks!
November is a time for giving thanks, and we are eternally thankful for supporters like you! Because of your donations, our diverse and lifesaving work is possible. As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to thank you for all you do to help during this most critical time!
Blog last updated: August 23, 2023
