Creating Communities of Hope: Raleigh Joins National Movement to Defeat Lung Cancer

Online, November 2, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Lung cancer kills more than 160,000 people annually and 5,934 citizens in North Carolina each year- more than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined. These startling statistics are why Governor Bev Perdue has declared November to be Lung Cancer Awareness Month in North Carolina again this year. Area residents will recognize Lung Cancer Awareness Month by uniting with advocates across the country to raise awareness and vital research funding for lung cancer at the 5th annual Free to Breathe® 5K & 1 mile Run/Walk & Rally Presented by Duke Raleigh Cancer Center. The event will take place on November 5, 2011 at their new location in North Hills.

"Lung Cancer is the number one cancer killer in this country but paradoxically, receives the least funding," said Amy Cipau, President of the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership. "We really hope this event will not only be a fun day for the community but also raise awareness and funds for this terrible disease. I encourage everyone in the triangle to join this movement that will help bring the attention and funding to lung cancer that it desperately needs."

The event will rally the community to create change and help defeat lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death of men and women in the nation and North Carolina. Free to Breathe® supporters and participants across the nation are creating communities of hope by raising awareness of the disease and funds which can fuel advances in detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.

"Duke Raleigh Cancer Center is honored to be a part of this important community effort in raising awareness and funds, enabling more research to positively impact the many people whose lives have been affected by lung cancer," said David White, MD, Duke Thoracic Surgery of Raleigh.

The event series has raised more than $3.6 million nationally with 100 percent of the net proceeds dedicated to making a difference for everyone affected by lung cancer and directly funding programs of change. In 2011, 36 events across the country will unite thousands of families, friends, neighbors and coworkers, bringing hope to those touched by this deadly disease. The North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership is also organizing a Free to Breathe in Greensboro on November 12, 2011.

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About the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership:
The North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization is the first state chapter of the National Lung Cancer Partnership the only lung cancer organization made up of leading doctors, researchers, patient advocates, and lung cancer survivors dedicated to raising public awareness of the disease and generating funding for lung cancer research.