Local Business Owner, Lung Cancer Survivor Honored by Lung Association
Jessica Limeberry to receive the Impact Award at the LUNG FORCE Glam on May 10
(May 1, 2019) - INDIANAPOLIS
Today, the American Lung Association in Indiana announced that it will honor local lung cancer survivor and business owner Jessica Limeberry with the Impact Award at the annual LUNG FORCE Glam Luncheon on May 10.
Limeberry, who is married with four young children, owns two local businesses -- Sophia’s Bridal, Tux and Prom, and The Girls in Grey. In 2017, while her husband was deployed in Afghanistan, she developed a slight wheeze and began to feel short of breath more easily. She visited a pulmonologist and was diagnosed with adult on-set asthma. While the medications helped a little, her breathing continued to decline and then during a business trip oversees, she experienced more serious breathing issues.
“I was coughing a lot and it was painful to breathe, so I knew something was up,” said Limeberry.
When she returned to the U.S., she visited her pulmonologist. The doctors performed a lung scope, which revealed a carcinoid tumor and that one of her lungs had collapsed. Limeberry was diagnosed with lung cancer at just 33-years-old. One month later, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor and half of her left lung.
Today, Limeberry is back to her busy lifestyle as a mom and business owner. On May 10, she will be honored by the Lung Association for her work to raise awareness of lung cancer in women, erase lung cancer stigma and fund life-saving research.
“The biggest part of my story is to continue to advocate for yourself and listen to your body. Have people around you help you. Find a community that can rally around you and hold your hand while you process the lung cancer news,” said Limeberry.
The LUNG FORCE Glam luncheon includes a red carpet entrance, a fashion show featuring looks from Limeberry’s business, and inspiring speeches. Almost 90 cents of every dollar raised at the LUNG FORCE Glam will go to the Lung Association’s local programs and services, including research, advocacy and public health education.
Event sponsors include Franciscan Health; Aon; Covering Kids and Families of Health and Hospital Corporation; Bose, McKinney and Evans, LLP; MHS; Wilhelm Construction; and Old National Bank.
More information and tickets are available on the LUNG FORCE Glam website.
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About the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.