TV Legend Valerie Harper and Husband Tony Cacciotti to Join Other Lung Cancer Advocates at Lung Cancer Foundation of America's "Day at the Races" at Del Mar Race Track on Sunday, July 28, 2013

LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Actress and lung cancer advocate Valerie Harper and her husband Tony Cacciotti will join with other lung cancer advocates and supporters at the Lung Cancer Foundation of America's "Day at the Races" event, the only event of its kind in the USA to support lung cancer research, at Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 on Sunday, July 28, 2013 from 2 PM - 6 PM.  Ms. Harper, who is currently fighting lung cancer that has occurred in the lining of her brain, is helping to bring attention to lung cancer, the USA's number one cancer killer for both men and women, accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths.

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"Val and Tony's participation in the fight against lung cancer means so much to LCFA and, especially, to the millions of people who have been deeply affected by this awful disease. Lung cancer is the forgotten cancer. Because of an overall 5-year survival rate of only 15%, there are few survivors to stand up and speak out in support of research funding for the disease, which is why Val's role is so very important, and why we hope she will inspire others," said Kim Norris, a lung cancer widow and the president and co-founder of the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA).

Racing fans will learn that lung cancer is the USA's number one cause of cancer death, killing almost twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer. The poor survival rate for lung cancer is a direct result of the lack of funding for lung cancer research. It is estimated that 60% of new lung cancer diagnoses will be in non-smokers - a combination of 45-50% former smokers (many who quit 10, 20, even 30 years prior to the onset of lung cancer) and 15% of people who have never smoked. Lung cancer is the only cancer that stigmatizes its victims – somehow society believes that lung cancer victims bring it upon themselves. Lung cancer is therefore enshrouded in guilt, both for the victims and family members. Fans will be introduced to lung cancer advocates like Val and Tony and to LCFA -- an organization that exists to advocate for research funding.

LCFA's "Day at the Races" will feature a special "Breath Of Life" race to support lung cancer research and help educate the public about this disease. Visit the LCFA Day at the Races website for all-inclusive tax deductible tickets and details: http://www.lcfamerica.org/lcfa-day-at-the-races.html

LCFA's "Day at the Races" event is the brainchild of lung cancer survivor and LCFA advocate Paula Friendly.  Paula's late husband, Hollywood producer Ed Friendly (co-producer of "Laugh-In," "Little House on the Prairie" among others) was introduced to thoroughbred horse racing ownership in 1970 when he and close friend and actor Lorne Greene bought a racehorse in partnership. A founding member of the National Thoroughbred Association, Friendly established the Thoroughbred Owners of California in 1993. He also served as president of the California's Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. After Ed's passing several years ago, Paula remains involved with the Del Mar Race Track and maintains her friendship with the President of the track, Joe Harper, and his wife Barbara.

ABOUT LUNG CANCER FOUNDATION OF AMERICA 
LCFA was established by two lung cancer survivors and a lung cancer widow. Although their life experiences varied greatly the three co-founders came to the same realization - the poor survival rate for lung cancer is a direct result of the lack of funding for lung cancer research. Working with many of the top lung cancer researchers and clinicians in the country, they have seen how lung cancer researchers are trying diligently to unlock the secrets unique to lung cancer. They have also witnessed the inordinate amount of time researchers spend in an effort to secure money to pay for the research, an effort that distracts them from their primary research function. The abysmal state of funding for lung cancer research also discourages new researchers who, instead, gravitate to where the money is, leaving a potential gaping hole in future lung cancer research programs. LCFA's mission is the dramatic improvement in survivorship of lung cancer patients through the funding of transformative science, with the ultimate goal of curing the disease.  To accomplish this, LCFA will work to raise both the funds and the national profile of lung cancer in order to substantially increase support of innovative and groundbreaking research efforts.  http://www.lcfamerica.org/

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SOURCE Lung Cancer Foundation of America