Jacksonville Community Unites Against Lung Cancer, Raising More Than $70,000 at LUNG FORCE Walk

This morning, nearly 400 lung health advocates from across the Jacksonville area laced up their sneakers to stomp out lung cancer at the American Lung Association in Florida’s annual LUNG FORCE Walk. The event, which took place on the University of North Florida’s scenic campus, was held in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Participants raised more than $70,000, and counting, to support the Lung Association’s mission to end lung cancer and lung disease.

“Thank you to our North Florida 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,” said Cindy Springer, development director at the Lung Association in Florida. “The funds we’ve raised will go directly towards lifesaving research, programming and advocacy here in Florida. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and the Lung Association is raising awareness, promoting lifesaving lung cancer screening and raising money for critical research to end this devastating disease. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., and anyone can get this disease. Lung cancer screening is key to saving lives because it detects lung cancer early when it is more likely to be curable. Yet only 2.4 % of high-risk Floridians were screened. Take the 2-minute quiz at SavedByTheScan.org.

LUNG FORCE is an initiative that unites those impacted by lung cancer, including survivors, caregivers and loved ones. The LUNG FORCE 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 Walk sponsors, including Florida Blue Foundation, Mayo Clinic, Bridgewater Wealth Advisors of Raymond James, Kindred Hospital North Florida, Wellcare, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, Johnson & Johnson, VyStar Credit Union and Walmart. Thank you to our National Corporate Team Partner, Kindred Hospitals.

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