Mission Moment November— 2019

Top News

Observing Lung Cancer Awareness Month: The American Lung Association observed Lung Cancer Awareness Month with a flurry of exciting activities to raise awareness of the #1 cancer killer. Throughout the month we had new activities, resources and campaigns all designed to spread the word about lifesaving lung cancer screening for those at high risk.

On November 1, we launched the #30Days30 Heroes challenge on social media, encouraging everyone to view and share 30 inspirational LUNG FORCE Hero stories. On November 7, the Lung Association debuted a new round of national public service ads as part of our successful “Saved By The Scan” campaign to educate current and former smokers about the low-dose CT scan. Finally, on November 13, we released our annual “State of Lung Cancer” 2019 report, which examined six, state-specific, key lung cancer indicators throughout the country, including: incidence, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates.

Please encourage your friends and family to join the fight against lung cancer year-round at LUNGFORCE.org.

LUNG FORCE Hero: Milli W. was the caretaker of her mother and brother who both died of lung cancer. When one of our “Saved By The Scan” public service ads caught her eye, she learned that she fit the profile to be eligible for a low-dose CT scan for lung cancer. Her lung cancer was caught early, and now Milli is alive, cancer free and able to do the thing she loves – sing!

HEALTH PROMOTIONS

November is COPD Awareness Month: Did you know that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.?  November is COPD Awareness Month and the Lung Association is highlighting the support and programs we have for COPD patients and their caregivers.  Inn a new video, Karen D, one of our Airways Clinical Research Centers Patient Advisors, shares her reason for joining a Lung Association Better Breathers Club and how it helped her understand her COPD. We are also promoting a variety of helpful online resources, including information on oxygen therapy,  telephone support from the Lung HelpLine and the Ask the Expert series on the Lung Association's Living with COPD online support community. Join in from November 18-22, as Dr. MeiLan Han and lung cancer survivor, Kathy L, discuss the link between COPD and lung cancer.

Flu Season is Here—Time to Get Vaccinated: Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious and sometimes serious, even life-threatening, disease. Vaccination is the best prevention. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get an annual flu vaccine. The Lung Association encourages you to speak with your healthcare provider to learn more about influenza and annual vaccinations. Learn more about the flu and get quick tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones.  

RESEARCH

Announcing Our Research Team: The members of our Research Team are pioneers who blaze trails into the unknown regions of medical knowledge, leading to new ways to prevent, treat and even cure lung disease. On November 19, we’ll proudly share this year’s research awardees and their important work, including many projects that will impact lung cancer detection and treatment.

Lung Association Volunteers Advise Defense Department Lung Cancer Research Program: Two American Lung Association volunteers, acting as consumer advocates, lent their perspective and expertise to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ (CDMRP) Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP). Lung Association national board member Kathleen Skambis, J.D. and lung cancer survivor and LUNG FORCE Hero Rachael Malmberg recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the LCRP. Kathleen and Rachael were nominated for participation in the program by the American Lung Association. As consumer reviewers and full voting members, (along with prominent scientists) , they helped determine how the $14 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2019 will be spent on lung cancer research.

Will Blocking a Nerve Protein Help Stop Lung Tumor Growth? With funding from LUNG FORCE, Lung Cancer Discovery Award recipient Joseph Barbi, Ph. D. of Roswell Park Cancer Institute is trying to learn if blocking a protein called neuritin will stop the suppression of immune cells that could fight lung cancer.

HEALTHCARE

Sign our Petition to Protect Healthcare: We’re closely awaiting a decision in the Texas v. U.S. lawsuit, which could impact quality and affordable healthcare coverage for millions of Americans. Will you join us in urging Congress to act NOW to protect the health and safety of more than 35 million Americans living with lung disease? Please sign our petition to tell Congress to enact healthcare legislation that will protect all patients with lung disease and share your story about why healthcare coverage matters to you.

HEALTHY AIR

Protecting Mercury and Air Toxics Standards: Americans are healthier thanks to current limits on mercury and toxic air pollution from power plants. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to undermine these lifesaving standards, so the Lung Association is helping lead the charge in opposition. On October 16, we convened a media event featuring U.S. Senator Tom Carper (DE), former U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, and our own Chief Mission Officer Deborah Brown to highlight the importance of maintaining these protections. To learn more, a recording of the panel discussion is available.

Help Us Reduce Methane Pollution: Drilling for oil and natural gas emits dangerous air pollution from methane that worsens climate change to hazardous air pollutants that endanger health. Please help us raise a raise our collective voices in opposition to EPA’s plans to roll back limits on pollution. If you’re a health or medical professional, please add your name to this sign-on letter. If not, please send a message to EPA with this e-alert. The deadline is later this month, so please add your name now.

Year of Air Pollution & Health: This month during the Year of Air Pollution & Health, the focus is the risks posed to our lung health by air pollution – especially for Americans with lung disease – and the opportunities to improve lung health by improving air quality. Our theme ties in with National Lung Cancer Awareness Month and National COPD Awareness Month. Reducing air pollution is crucial to protecting people with lung diseases like lung cancer and COPD, who are more vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution. Particle pollution can also trigger asthma episodes, cause lung cancer and COPD. Learn more.

TOBACCO

Quit Smoking, Don’t Switch to Vaping: JUUL and e-cigarette companies advertise switching to e-cigarettes and vaping as a method to quit smoking, but it is not. The FDA has not found any e-cigarette to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit and they are not doing enough to crack down on false claims being made by tobacco companies. According to one study, 80 percent of the smokers given e-cigarettes did not quit but switched and instead became addicted to e-cigarettes. This year, we are helping people quit smoking for good and also urging the FDA to crack down on these deceptive advertisements. Access a 10 percent discount on our proven-effective quit-smoking program Freedom from Smoking Plus at Lung.org/quit-dont-switch.

EVENTS

Climb Season is Coming! Thank you to all our participants and volunteers who made our LUNG FORCE Walk, Run/Walk season a great success! But don’t pack away your sneakers yet. Fight for Air Climb season is right around the corner. These unique events are hosted in prominent skyscrapers across the nation and challenge participants as they walk, run or race up hundreds of stairs. The funds we raise support research, education and patient programs to help the millions of Americans impacted by asthma, COPD, lung cancer and other lung diseases. Find an event near you.

EACH Breath Blog
Open enrollment period to purchase private health insurance through Healthcare.gov runs through December 15. Getting coverage is especially important for those with chronic lung diseases, like COPD and asthma. Learn more about why you should sign up for healthcare today in our latest EACH Breath blog.

Everything we do is made possible because of our great supporters, like you!The lifesaving work that is carried out by Lung Association volunteers and staff is only possible because so many generous donors across the country believe in and support our mission. If you would like to become more involved, we always have opportunities for those who share our passion for lung health to join in our work.