Lowcountry Community Unites Against Lung Cancer, Reaching $1M Fundraising Milestone at LUNG FORCE Run/Walk

This morning, nearly 450 members of the Lowcountry community took part in the American Lung Association in South Carolina’s annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at Folly Beach County Park. Participants raised more than $180,000—an all-time high for the event—bringing the total funds raised to around $1.1 million since the LUNG FORCE campaign launched a decade ago. That is the equivalent of supporting 6 years of lung cancer research.

“Thank you to our Lowcountry community, volunteers, sponsors and LUNG FORCE Heroes who came together to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung cancer and lung disease. Your dedication and passion for our shared mission have enabled us to surpass the $1 million fundraising milestone,” said Taylor Bohaychick, LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Cabinet member. “The funds we’ve raised today will help save lives here in South Carolina by supporting lung disease research, programming and advocacy efforts.”

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in South Carolina and across the U.S. Someone is diagnosed with the disease about every two minutes. But there is hope. Thanks to increased awareness and advancements in detection and treatment, more people are surviving lung cancer than ever before. In fact, the five-year survival rate is now nearly 30%. Funding research, raising awareness of lung cancer screening and reducing stigma around the disease saves lives.

LUNG FORCE is an initiative that unites those impacted by lung cancer, including survivors, caregivers and loved ones. The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk also serves to highlight the stories and lung health advocacy of community members as they make their stand against lung cancer.

Thank you to our local LUNG FORCE Run/Walk sponsors, including Signature Sponsor Raymond James, Champion of Breath Sponsor Atlantic Respiratory Services, Natera, United Therapeutics, Lowcountry Lung and Critical Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, PBI, Daiichi-Sankyo, Z-Man Fishing Products, Mount Pleasant Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, The Crab Shacks, Kia Country of Charleston, Beacon Community Bank, Charleston Oncology, Fred Anderson Toyota and Pinnacle. Thank you to our National Sponsor Kindred Hospitals.

For more information about the event, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Charleston.