LUNG FORCE Giving Day Aims to Raise Funds for Critical Lung Cancer Research

Today, the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE national initiative is encouraging Americans to support critical lung cancer research by participating in LUNG FORCE Giving Day.

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women, killing almost twice as many women as any other cancer, yet only 1 percent of women have it on their health radar. On any given day, 289 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer. And on that day, their lives – and the lives of the people who love them – will be dramatically changed forever. Grammy Award-winning singer Patti LaBelle, knows this only too well. She lost two of her sisters to lung cancer in their early 40s. Patti is sharing her powerful voice to help educate about lung cancer and to ask for help.

"Like my sisters, most lung cancer cases are diagnosed too late, when treatment options are limited. More lung cancer research is needed to make a difference," said LaBelle. "That's why your donations can help support critical lung cancer research and education."

Only 17 percent of lung cancer cases among women are diagnosed early when the disease is most treatable. More personalized treatment options and early detection methods are needed to help the more than 100,000 women who will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.

A donation supports the Lung Association's investment in lung cancer research and public health promotion of information on early detection, clinical trials, biomarker testing and the need for more federal research funding. On one day – November 17 – you can change lives for the better by participating in LUNG FORCE Giving Day. Now is the time to learn more about this disease and help us defeat lung cancer and support the health of our mothers, daughters, sisters and loved ones. While anyone can get lung cancer, we can all help by making a donation to support research and save lives.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America® will match every gift, dollar for dollar up to $100,000 to support the 100,000 women diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Supporters can donate and share their voice at LUNGFORCEDay.org.

"Lung cancer has almost doubled among women since 1975," said Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "It affects our mothers, daughters, sisters and loved ones at any age, across every ethnicity. The Lung Association has invested $6.49 million in research in 2015-2016, more than doubled its investment in lung cancer research, and it's our hope that today's Giving Day will bring us closer to defeating lung cancer."

The Lung Association is asking Americans to share their voices in the fight against lung cancer. Visit LUNGFORCE.org to learn how to participate or share your voice on social media using the hashtag #ShareYourVoice and #LUNGFORCE. You can also join the conversation on the LUNG FORCE Facebook page and follow LUNG FORCE on Twitter.