Cleveland Clinic Florida Amplifies Need for Lung Cancer Screenings

Cleveland Clinic Florida and the American Lung Association announced they will launch ‘Share the Square’ campaign designed to generate greater lung cancer awareness and to promote early lung cancer screenings. This partnership is a distinctive new relationship bringing together a large healthcare organization and the American Lung Association.

‘Share the Square’ Cleveland Clinic Florida will integrate the Lung Association’s key priority of promoting early lung cancer screenings with an emphasis in generating greater awareness of local hospital resources. This campaign will utilize social media to share compelling stories from local LUNG FORCE Heroes and medical professionals to educate and engage community members regarding this lifesaving initiative.

“The ‘Share the Square’ campaign will be a cornerstone of the South Florida Lung Association’s annual LUNG FORCE Turquoise Takeover campaign which culminates in the month of May and unites community members across the country to raise critical awareness of lung cancer, the nation’s leading cause of cancer-related deaths,” shares Dr. Frank Eidelman MD, MBA, FAAAI, Local Leadership Board Member for the American Lung Association of South Florida and Regional Institute Chair for Medical Specialties at Cleveland Clinic Florida. “We are so proud of this far-reaching initiative as it will provide the opportunity for outreach into those communities beyond our city’s main downtown areas that are in need of better access and greater awareness of healthcare resources.”

An additional component of this campaign during LUNG FORCE Turquoise Takeover will include Cleveland Clinic Florida supporting the Matching Gift Challenge, designed to inspire community members to raise $35,000 in South Florida toward a better future for all patients living with lung cancer and their loved ones. Every dollar raised for this campaign, from now until June 30, will be matched 1:1 up to $35,000 to benefit the American Lung Association’s mission to defeat lung cancer.

“Here in Florida, the lung cancer survival rate is just above the national average at 26.5% and we are 40th in the nation for lung cancer screening at 3.4%,” shares Dr. Eidelman, MD. “Lung cancer is the number one cancer treated at our hospitals, especially in Martin and Indian River counties. It is our hope that ‘Share the Square’ campaign will highlight the lifesaving impact of early lung cancer screenings, while at the same time educate community members about the local resources available for those at high risk of getting lung cancer.”

For more information about the ‘Share the Square’ campaign and Cleveland Clinic Florida please visit http://turquoisetakeoverchallenge.org/

To learn more about lung cancer screening options at Cleveland Clinic Florida and if you are eligible, please visit http://clevelandclinicflorida.org/lungscreening

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About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Gold-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

About LUNG FORCE

The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative unites people across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths. Increased awareness about lung cancer, more education on lifesaving screening and more research funding are critical to fuel lifesaving breakthroughs. Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE works to provide hope to all those impacted by the disease and save more lives. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.

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1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org