American Lung Association Celebrates 10 Years of Hope at the LUNG FORCE Walk New York City on May 18

This year, the American Lung Association in New York is celebrating 10 years of the LUNG FORCE Walk New York City, and the incredible impact the event has had on the local community, survivors and families. The LUNG FORCE Walk will once again take place at the iconic South Street Seaport, Pier 16 on Saturday, May 18th.  This year’s local medical honorees are event sponsors and healthcare heroes on the Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Team at Maimonides Cancer Center. The LUNG FORCE Walk NYC is also generously supported by Gold Sponsor, Cipla USA 

Arunesh Verma, President & CEO, Cipla North America said, "At Cipla USA we proudly continue our partnership with the American Lung Association for the 10th annual LUNG FORCE Walk NYC, now in our second year of collaboration. Our commitment to providing high-quality treatments for lung ailments drives our participation, energizing us to continue this journey with the Lung Association, bringing respiratory care closer to those in need."

The LUNG FORCE Walk is a celebratory and welcoming event that provides critical funds for lifesaving lung cancer and chronic lung disease research education, and awareness. For the event, participants will walk a 1-mile or 3-mile route with scenic views of the Brooklyn Bridge. 

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Lung Association’s movement to defeat lung cancer and chronic lung disease—LUNG FORCE. Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE is working to ensure that fewer people are diagnosed and those living with lung diseases live longer. In 2024, the American Lung Association is also celebrating 120 years of impact, since the organization’s founding in 1904.

“Thanks to all of our amazing volunteers, participants and LUNG FORCE Heroes, we are truly making an impact in New York City. We are so proud that here in Manhattan, the LUNG FORCE Walk has raised over $2 million to help end lung disease. Nationally, since 2014, LUNG FORCE has raised millions for lung disease research, including $30 million dedicated to lung cancer , expanding our research commitment by 286%,” said Erica Masin, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Metro New York.

This year, the event will honor the Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Team at Maimonides Cancer Center. Not only does this year mark the 10th anniversary of the Maimonides Lung Cancer Screening Program, but Maimonides has been supporting the LUNG FORCE Walk NYC since the first Walk in 2014.

Dr. Jason Shaw, Director of General Thoracic Surgery at Maimonides, Director of the Maimonides Lung Cancer Screening Program and longtime LUNG FORCE walker said, “Our team is proud to support this event every year because together we bring needed attention and resources to advance awareness about lung cancer.  We spend the day talking with people and families about early detection and breakthrough treatments - and we all walk to raise funds for research to help advance a cure. Walking is our way of recognizing and celebrating those whose lives have been affected by lung cancer and sending a message of hope to those going through it right now.”

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among people in the U.S. and someone is diagnosed with the disease about every two minutes. But there is hope! More people than ever are surviving lung cancer. The survival rate has increased by over 50% in the past decade. 

The LUNG FORCE Walk NYC is great for friends, family and company teams to come together to support people with lung disease and lung cancer, have fun and get some exercise. Joining the LUNG FORCE Walk supports the work of the American Lung Association to defeat lung cancer, improve the air we breathe, reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases.

The Lung Association encourages New Yorkers to get involved in their local LUNG FORCE Walk. To learn more and register, visit LUNGFORCE.org/NYC.

About Maimonides Health
Maimonides Health is Brooklyn’s largest healthcare system, serving over 300,000 patients each year through the system’s three hospitals, 1,700 physicians, and more than 80 community-based practices and outpatient centers. The system is anchored by Maimonides Medical Center, one of the nation’s largest independent teaching hospitals and home to centers of excellence in numerous specialties; Maimonides Midwood Community Hospital (formerly New York Community Hospital), a 130-bed adult medical-surgical hospital; and Maimonides Children’s Hospital, Brooklyn’s only children’s hospital and only pediatric trauma center. Maimonides’ clinical programs rank among the best in the country for patient outcomes, including its Heart and Vascular Institute, Neurosciences Institute, Bone and Joint Center, and Cancer Center. Maimonides is an affiliate of Northwell Health and a major clinical training site for SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. For additional information, please visit www.maimo.org