Thank you for taking the time to read this:

In case you didn't know, my mom was diagnosed and surgically treated for a stage 1 lung cancer in 2007. Suprisingly, it recurred as metastatic disease in 2009. She has been treated on and off for the past 10 years and is still living with the disease today thanks to advancements in treatments for this lousy disease.

LUNG FORCE is a new national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women. LUNG FORCE has three priorities: 1) Make lung cancer a cause that people care about—and act on; 2) Educate and empower patients and healthcare providers and 3) Raise critical funds for lung cancer research.Every two and a half minutes someone in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer, accounting for about one in four cancer deaths. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.

There will be over 4,800 people in Washington diagnosed with lung cancer and 3,000 will succumb to the deadly disease. More must be done to save lives.

Lung cancer is often not caught at an early stage when it is more likely to be curable. The five-year lung cancer survival rate ranges from 24 percent in New York to 15.9 percent in Louisiana. Yet only 31 states track this important metric, which should be implemented by all states to enhance monitoring of lung cancer, and help identify how to improve lung cancer survival.

While we have seen some advancements in lung cancer treatment options and a new method of early detection, the burden of lung cancer is not the same everywhere. Treatment, exposure to risk factors, and access to screening facilities vary from state to state, and Washington’s leaders must do more to act and implement proven policies to reduce the deadly toll of lung cancer.

That’s why I have decided to participate in the LUNG FORCE Walk. When you join the American Lung Association and LUNG FORCE in the fight against lung cancer and for lung health, you join us in our mission to improve lives—and save lives.

Your donation and participation will help make a difference in the lives that desperately need it. To support my efforts, and to help save lives today, please donate now.

Together, we are a FORCE to be reckoned with!

Together, with your help, we will walk to raise awareness and funds to defeat lung cancer and raise our voices for lung health.

Thank you for supporting the American Lung Association!  Lynley