Lung Association Names North Carolina’s Top Dog Winner

Today, the American Lung Association in North Carolina announced the winner of the annual FIDO’S FORCE Top Dog Competition is Dixie Sue, submitted by Julie Swanson. The campaign raised more than $14,000 to date for lung cancer awareness and life-saving lung cancer research. 

For the FIDO’S FORCE Top Dog Competition, residents were invited to nominate their dogs, and then the public was encouraged to vote for their favorite dogs. Dixie Sue won a 12x12 custom-painted pet portrait by Rita Miller, among other prizes.  Dixie Sue is the goofiest Great Dane to ramble the streets of NoDa.  At seven months old, Dixie Sue is bolstering with energy and may seem like a bull in a porcelain doll shop, but her playful enthusiasm and love of stuffed toys make her one of the most beloved dogs by humans and dogs alike in the neighborhood.

“This year, supporting lung health is more important than ever, so we are grateful to the community for supporting this amusing campaign,” said Rachel Goldstein, development manager for the Lung Association. “Thank you to the greater Charlotte community for entering adorable pups into the contest, to everyone who voted, and to our presenting sponsor, Guardant Health, for making this campaign a success.” 

The runner-up dogs were Baxter (second place) and Hammy (third place). In total, 22 dogs were submitted for the FIDO’S FORCE campaign. Follow our Instagram (@AmericanLungAssociationCLT) and Facebook (@LungNC) to view all the dogs and get more announcements about FIDO’S FORCE. 

FIDO’S FORCE supports LUNG FORCE, an initiative by Lung Association to bring greater awareness to lung cancer and raise critical funds for lung cancer research. By supporting LUNG FORCE, you provide hope and help to millions of Americans living with lung cancer. Money raised funds the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer through education, advocacy and research. 

For more information, to donate, and to view all of the canine contestants, visit FIDOSFORCECharlotte.org.