American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Encourages Americans to Take Action Against the No. 1 Cancer Killer during National Women's Lung Health Week (May 7-13)

In support of National Women's Lung Health Week (May 7-13), the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative – nationally presented by CVS Health – is celebrating its fourth annual Turquoise Takeover. This week-long event will splash the nation with turquoise – LUNG FORCE's signature color – to increase lung cancer awareness and unite women and their loved ones to take a stand against lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among women and men.

This year, LUNG FORCE is raising awareness through #ShowYourLUNGFORCE, a social campaign celebrating the power of our lungs and encouraging supporters to get creative and participate. In addition, CVS Health is supporting LUNG FORCE for the fourth year through an in-store campaign and by helping communities go tobacco-free to beat lung cancer. These efforts are part of LUNG FORCE's aim to make lung cancer in women a public health priority and increase awareness among the nearly 98 percent of women who do not have lung cancer on their health radar.

"A diagnosis of lung cancer shouldn't happen by chance or when the disease is in its later stages, as it does for so many," said Harold Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "We know that early detection is key – survival rates are five times higher when lung cancer is detected early. This is why awareness of lung cancer and screening options is critical in partnership with research funding to support more treatment options and methods of early detection."

The American Lung Association's 3rd annual Women's Lung Health Barometer revealed that, while there have been positive shifts in women's perceptions of lung cancer, awareness remains critically low. Anyone can get lung cancer, and sadly one woman dies every eight minutes in the U.S. from the disease. Early detection and treatment of lung cancer translates to higher survival rates, however only 18 percent of lung cancer cases among women are diagnosed early, when the disease is most treatable.

Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X 2016 victor Adam Klein has joined the LUNG FORCE initiative as a LUNG FORCE Hero after losing his mother to lung cancer just one hour after returning home from the competition. Klein's mother, Susie, lost her life to the disease only nine short months after receiving a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. In honor of his mother's legacy, Klein most recently participated in LUNG FORCE's 2nd annual LUNG FORCE Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., to advocate for additional research funding.

"My mother was an inspirational woman, filled with strength, love and compassion. She bravely faced the disease for nine months, but more importantly, thrived for 60 years," said Klein. "Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of women and yet only 2 percent of women have lung cancer on their health radar so it's imperative that we make it a priority. Early detection and more effective treatment options will save lives which is why I've committed myself to raising awareness of lung cancer as well as critical funding for research in the fight against this disease."

LUNG FORCE Kicks Off Social Campaign #ShowYourLUNGFORCE
Without our lungs, we could not sing, dance, run or laugh – we couldn't breathe. LUNG FORCE is celebrating the power of our lungs by demonstrating the many ways we use them every day. To encourage people to take a stand against lung cancer, LUNG FORCE is launching a social campaign called #ShowYourLUNGFORCE, asking Americans to take action and mobilize their social networks to amplify awareness and raise funds to defeat lung cancer.

It's easy for everyone to get involved:

• With the tag #ShowYourLUNGFORCE, upload a video and/or photo to your social channels demonstrating how you Show Your LUNG FORCE, such as whistling, blowing a bubble or a kiss, or other examples that show the power of your lungs
• Tag three friends and challenge them to do the same  
• Donate on the LUNG FORCE Facebook page or LUNGFORCE.org

Donations will support the American Lung Association's investment in lung cancer research and patient support – including early detection, biomarker testing and advocacy for more federal research funding.

CVS Health's In-Store Fundraising Campaign Drives Donations for Lung Cancer Research

For the fourth year in a row, LUNG FORCE National Presenting Sponsor CVS Health is rallying support with in-store fundraising. From Sunday, May 7th through Saturday, May 27th, CVS Pharmacy customers can visit any of its 7,900 stores to support LUNG FORCE by making a $1, $3 or larger donation at the register or online at Lung.org/CVS to raise funds for lung cancer awareness, research and education. The in-store fundraising campaign is part of Be The First, a 5-year $50 million initiative funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation. While anyone can get lung cancer, smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, along with radon gas, air pollution and secondhand smoke exposure. In addition to donating to the campaign, customers can also visit Lung.org/CVS for easy ways to help their communities become tobacco-free, which is key to making a difference against lung cancer.

"CVS Health is a proud sponsor of LUNG FORCE and its work to ensure that we fight the number one cancer killer," said Helena Foulkes, President, CVS Pharmacy. "As a company that is committed to helping people on a path to better health, we want to help raise funds and spread awareness of this deadly disease. Together with the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE, we're working to create tobacco-free communities to help beat lung cancer."

For more information about LUNG FORCE including local LUNG FORCE Walks taking place throughout May, visit LUNGFORCE.org.