Northwestern Medicine Reinvests in Lung Health Community

The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago announced that Northwestern Medicine signed on as the presenting sponsor of the LUNG FORCE Walk at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL on Oct. 17. The annual event was forced to go virtual last year due to COVID-19. 

This is the seventh year Northwestern Medicine has sponsored the event. From sponsorship and team fundraising, Northwestern Medicine has contributed more than $344,000 to help defeat lung disease. 

The LUNG FORCE Walk, which is a Lung Association signature event, attracts hundreds of enthusiastic participants from across the greater Chicago area who walk three miles to increase awareness about and funding for life-saving research.

“With the funds we raise from the LUNG FORCE Walk, we’re able to help people who suffer from lung disease through our research, advocacy and local programs in Illinois, as well as our COVID-19 Action Initiative,” said Kristen Young, executive director of the Lung Association. “But we couldn’t make a difference in people’s lives without our partnership with Northwestern Medicine, who continue to be a leader in lung health and COVID-19 treatment. From funding education to providing resources to people suffering from lung disease, Northwestern Medicine helps us provide critical support to the greater Chicago area community.”

“Northwestern Medicine is thrilled to support the Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Walk to promote lung health and help end lung disease,” said Ankit Bharat, MD, chief of thoracic surgery at Northwestern Medicine. “We look forward to our community coming together for an exciting and inspiring event.”

More than 1.8 million people suffer from lung disease in Illinois. Funds from the LUNG FORCE Walk will support the Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. 

The safety of participants, staff and volunteers is always our number one priority, so we are continually monitoring local conditions that might affect the event. Everyone is encouraged to check our Walk website for the most up-to-date information leading up to the event.

Registration for the LUNG FORCE Walk is free and participants are encouraged to fundraise a minimum of $100 to earn an event t-shirt. For more information, and to register, visit LUNGFORCEWalk.org/Chicagoland.