The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) Hosts 6th Annual Run/Walk in Southampton To Support Scientists on the Quest for a Cure

Vital Fundraising Initiative Fuels Research for Leading Cause of Cancer Deaths

NEW YORK, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  On August 14, more than 1,100 New Yorkers will put on their running shoes to fight a disease and honor the memories of the 1.3 million people each year who succumb to lung cancer.  Representing 29% of cancer deaths in the United States, lung cancer kills more people than breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer combined.(1)  The 6th Annual Strides for Life 3-Mile Run/Walk sponsored by The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), is a critical fundraising event as every dollar raised fuels grants to scientific researchers to find better tools for diagnosis and management of a disease that receives a paucity of federal funding as compared to other cancers.  

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in both men and women. Lung cancer kills three times as many men as prostate cancer and twice as many women as breast cancer.(1) Despite this, lung cancer receives nine-times less funding than breast cancer. For every nine dollars spent on breast cancer research, only one dollar is spent on research for lung cancer in the U.S.(1)

LCRF has raised more than $2 million to fuel research across the country in the five years it has hosted the Strides for Life 3-Mile Run/Walk for Cancer.  Dollars raised have gone directly to support research into new approaches  for prevention, diagnosis and disease management.  

"Strides for Life is the largest New York-area fundraising race for lung cancer research.  We are grateful for the support of the individuals that race year after year, as well as our new friends," said Laurie Carson, founder and president of LCRF. "The money raised by Strides is critical to supporting  dedicated scientific researchers, who without such support, would have to give up on their quest to find better approaches to improve outcomes for people living with lung cancer."

The Strides for Life 3-Mile Run/Walk for Lung Cancer will take place at Lake Agawam, 2 Pond Lane Southampton, NY (The Cultural Center at Pond Lane & Jobs Lane) on Sunday, August  14th from 8:45 AM - 11:00 AM. Pre-Registration begins at 7:30 AM and the official race starts at 8:45 AM.  Strides for Life will also feature a 50-Yard Dash for children and a Timing & Awards Ceremony. People are encouraged to join the race, make a donation or come out and cheer on the runners. For more information on how to register or make a donation to Strides for Life, visit: www.lungfund.kintera.org/SFL6.

About The Lung Cancer Research Foundation:
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 2005 by Laurie Carson after years of fundraising on behalf of lung cancer patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The LCRF seeks to help advance lung cancer research and to help those whose lives have been affected by this disease. The mission of LCRF is to support national research studies and activities focused on better treatments, screening, and prevention of lung cancer. For more information about the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, visit: www.lungfund.org.  

News Media Contacts:
Raquel Erwin
Zeno Group on behalf of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation
(212) 299-299-8951 or [email protected]

(1) National Cancer Institute. SEER Statistics and Facts. Retrieved June 7 2011 http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html

SOURCE Lung Cancer Research Foundation