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West Roxbury residents to walk in LUNGevity Foundation's Eighth Annual Breathe Deep Boston 5K Walk Nov. 2

West Roxbury, Mass. — On Saturday, Nov. 2, in conjunction with lung cancer awareness month, two residents from West Roxbury will walk alongside 2,000 participants in the Breathe Deep Boston 5K Walk with the goal of raising $250,000 to support LUNGevity Foundation, an organization that funds the most promising lung cancer research nationwide.

 

The Breathe Deep Boston 5K Walk will start at the scenic Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Mother’s Rest Area at Carson Beach in South Boston, Mass. It is one of more than 80 LUNGevity events that take place across the country. Since 2002, the charity walk-a-thons have collectively raised more than $11.4 million. The Boston event is in its eighth year and has raised more than $1 million.

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The event was founded by two lung cancer survivors, the late Rich Kaufman and the late Geri Norris, with the support of a small group of family, friends and volunteers also touched by lung cancer. Many participants walk in honor of someone currently battling lung cancer or in memory of someone lost to the disease. Individuals and/or businesses are encouraged to sign up as teams. Casella Waste Services and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center are the event’s presenting sponsors.

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LUNGevity Foundation is the nation’s largest private organization dedicated to research for the early detection and treatment of lung cancer. It is committed to increasing quality of life and survivorship of people living with lung cancer by accelerating research into early detection and creating more effective treatments, as well as by providing community, support and education for all those affected by the disease. Lung cancer can afflict anyone, regardless of smoking history, gender, or ethnicity. Only 16 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive five years post-diagnosis. With early detection, there is hope of long-term survivorship.

 

Currently, six percent of federal funding for cancer research is spent on lung cancer research, which is why funds raised from the event are so important. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, impacting one in 14 Americans, and claiming approximately 160,000 lives every year - more than prostate, pancreas, breast and colorectal cancer combined.

 

“All you need are lungs to get lung cancer,” says Kathy Cuddy, Breathe Deep Boston 5K Walk event coordinator. “The event unifies a community of people affected by lung cancer who want to raise money for cancer research so that a cure can be found.”

 

Ed Harding, WCVB anchor for the early evening and late newscasts, will emcee the event. Voices of Hope, a non-profit whose members share a passion for singing and a desire to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, will perform at the event. Gourmet food trucks will be onsite and LUNGevity branded merchandise will be on sale. Walkers will be treated to refreshments and opening and closing ceremonies include awards for the 2013 Walk Honoree and top fundraisers.

 

To register, or volunteer, for the Breathe Deep Boston 5K Walk set for Nov. 2, or to support a walker, visit lungevity.org/boston or call (312) 407-6100. Participants may enter discount code BREATHE for $5 off the registration fee, which varies from $10 to $25. The speaking program begins at 10:30 a.m. and the Walk will kick-off at 11 a.m. The course is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.

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About LUNGevity Foundation

LUNGevity Foundation is firmly committed to making an immediate impact on increasing quality of life and survivorship of people with lung cancer by accelerating research into early detection and more effective treatments, as well as by providing community, support and education for all those affected by the disease. Our vision is a world where no one dies of lung cancer. For more information about LUNGevity Foundation, visit www.LUNGevity.org.

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