Orlando Community Makes Strides to End Lung Cancer, Raising More Than $136,000 at 10th Annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk

This morning, more than 400 lung health advocates from across the greater Orlando area gathered at Baldwin Park and laced up their gym shoes to stomp out lung cancer at the American Lung Association in Florida’s LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, presented by AdventHealth. Participants raised more than $136,000, and counting, to support the Lung Association’s mission to end lung cancer and lung disease.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festive fundraiser and the LUNG FORCE initiative in Orlando. LUNG FORCE unites those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers to stand together against lung cancer. Including the funds raised at today’s event, the Orlando LUNG FORCE Run/Walk has raised more than $810,000 in total to fuel the American Lung Association’s efforts to save lives through research, education and advocacy here in Florida and beyond.

“For the past ten years, the Orlando community has rallied at our LUNG FORCE Run/Walk to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung cancer and lung disease,” said Justin Smith, Chair Elect of the Lung Association’s Central Florida Leadership Board and Strategic Advisor, Clinical Asset Management at TRIMEDX. “Thank you to our participants, volunteers, sponsors and LUNG FORCE Heroes who came together today to celebrate and spread hope. Together, we raised awareness and critical funding to help find a cure for lung cancer and save lives.”

More than 490,000 people in the Orlando area suffer from lung disease, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. In Florida, it is estimated that more than 18,580 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and more than 10,230 people will die from the disease.

However, there is hope. More people in the U.S. than ever are surviving lung cancer. The survival rate has increased by nearly 40 percent in the last decade. Funding research, encouraging lung cancer screening and reducing stigma around the disease is the key to unlocking a future free of lung cancer.

Thank you to our LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Presenting Sponsor, AdventHealth. Major Sponsors, Sonny’s BBQ and TRIMEDX, Hero Sponsors, Orlando Health, NeuroSkeletal Imaging, Allergy Asthma Specialists of Central Florida and Irvin & Irvin LLC and Turquoise Sponsors, Johnson & Johnson, Just Breathe Salt Therapy Wellness Spa and Central Florida Pulmonary Group. Thank you to our National Corporate Team Partner, Kindred Hospitals.

For more information and to donate, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Orlando.