Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island to Feature News12 Anchor and Lung Cancer Survivor Carol Silva and Honor Her Doctor, Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu, of Northwell Health

The American Lung Association’s first ever LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island is gearing up to raise critical awareness and funds to help end lung cancer and other chronic lung disease.  As part of the event’s opening ceremony, the Lung Association will recognize Carol Silva, former News12 Anchor and lung cancer survivor, along with her doctor, Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu of Northwell Health.  The LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island will take place on October 7, 2023 at Eisenhower Park.  

“I thought I just had an annoying cough that wouldn’t go away. Turns out, I had a mass in my lung. Lung cancer,” said Silva. “Thanks to our amazing Long Island medical care, I’m standing here with one of the doctors who helped save my life. We’re working with the Lung Association, so everyone recognizes the warning signs, to help prevent or survive lung cancer.” 

“I’ve spent much of my career treating and researching lung cancer, and supporting my patients and their families through the process,” said Dr. Seetharamu. “I am so thrilled to join with Carol and the Lung Association to celebrate each and every person who has been touched by lung cancer and the continued progress we are making in beating this disease.”

LUNG FORCE initiative unites communities to stand together against lung disease and for lung health.  LUNG FORCE Walks happen all around the county as celebratory and welcoming events that provides critical funds for lifesaving lung cancer and lung disease research, early detection initiatives and awareness. The Long Island Walk is supported by Community Power Long Island as the Silver Sponsor and Paragon Management as the Hero and Champion Sponsor.

Registration for the Long Island event is open at LUNGFORCE.org/LongIsland.

Erica Masin, Executive Director for the Lung Association in metro New York said, “On October 7, we will celebrate Carol and Dr. Seetharamu along with all of Long Island’s medical professionals and their patients who are working to beat lung cancer. We are incredibly proud and grateful that the survival rate for lung cancer has increased by nearly 40% in the past decade, we also recognize that there is still so much work to be done. Together, we can continue that progress, lighten the burden for people living with lung disease, and honor the memory of those we’ve lost. We are so grateful to our sponsors, our honorees and all of our volunteers and participants who make the LUNG FORCE Walk possible.”

"Everyone on Long Island knows someone with lung cancer - and this event will help raise awareness and funding for a disease that continues to impact so many of our families and neighbors," said Sammy Chu, CEO of Community Power Long Island, Silver Sponsor for the LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island. "As a lifelong community advocate in the clean energy space, I am especially proud to support the American Lung Association for their work on air quality issues and the critical intersection of climate change and public health."

The LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island is great for friends, family and company teams to come together to support people with lung disease and lung cancer, have fun and get some great exercise. Joining the LUNG FORCE Walk supports the work of the American Lung Association to defeat lung cancer, improve the air we breathe, reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases.

For more information and to register for the Long Island LUNG FORCE Walk, visit LUNGFORCE.org/longisland.