American Lung Association’s Annual LUNG FORCE Walk Boston Returns to the Franklin Park Zoo to Support Lung Health, COVID-19 Action Initiative

Today, the American Lung Association in Massachusetts announced that its LUNG FORCE Walk Boston will return to the Franklin Park Zoo an outdoor, in-person event Saturday June 5, 2021 beginning at 8:30am (rain or shine!). The event will support research, advocacy and education for lung diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19. All participants will be required to wear masks and follow current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. 

The LUNG FORCE Walk Boston is in its 7th year, with participants completing a 1.5-mile or 3-mile route, around the Franklin Park Zoo.  Participants can also opt to “Walk Your Way,” and participate (or train) by walking in their own neighborhoods, tracking their activity online through the new LUNG FORCE app (available for Android or iPhone). In addition to the Walk, the event will include an Opening Ceremony where LUNG FORCE Heroes will share their stories, enjoy a fitness warm up, and receive a LUNG FORCE Action passport that encourages lung health education from different tents and vendors on site. All registered participants for both virtual and in-person options are encouraged to join the event’s Facebook group and download the app to share their journeys and connect with advocates and heroes. 

“Through events like the LUNG FORCE Walk Boston, we are able to continue our work to improve air quality, educate residents on lung health and COVID-19, and support people who live with lung disease,” said Karen Whitefield, executive director for the Lung Association in Massachusetts. “That mission has never been more important than it is today, and we are looking forward to masking up and rallying our Massachusetts based LUNG FORCE community to advance this work that makes people’s lives better every day.”

Money raised at the LUNG FORCE Walk will support the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the Lung Association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative. The COVID-19 Action Initiative is a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics. The initiative works with public and private entities to increase research collaboration and develop new vaccines, detection tests and treatment therapies.

There is no registration fee for the LUNG FORCE Walk Boston but participants that make a self-donation of $33 or more will receive an American Lung Association sports scarf. All in-person walkers must register in advance. The registration deadline for the in-person event is Sunday May 30th. More information and registration are available at LUNGFORCE.org/Boston