South Florida Turns Turquoise for Lung Association

This week, the American Lung Association is turning South Florida turquoise to raise awareness of lung cancer and educate more people about life-saving screening.

The Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative’s annual Turquoise Takeover celebration (May 8-14) unites America to raise critical awareness of lung cancer, the nation’s leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Each year, the organization turns the nation turquoise, the signature color of LUNG FORCE.

In South Florida, through the month of May, all donations will be DOUBLED up to $35,000 by local sponsors! To help the American Lung Association unlock the full potential of this match, members of the community are invited to fundraise, turn turquoise, and take part in any number of the many engagement opportunities including:

• Become a Turquoise Takeover Ambassador - Companies, friends & family members are invited to register and create their own personalized ambassador team page at the following website: http://TurquoiseTakeoverChallenge.org (Top Fundraisers will win prizes, and special recognition!)

• Illuminations – Keep your eyes open around town as several major landmarks and buildings will illuminate turquoise throughout the week including Baptist Health, Keiser University, Marine Industries Association, and Memorial Cancer Institute

• Mother’s Day Social Media Spotlights – Visit and Like our South Florida Lung Association Facebook page and our Instagram page @LungsSOFLA to read about our LUNG FORCE Heroes. And tag a mother hero in your life that has been impacted by lung cancer.

• Bright Drop Yoga, Tuesday, May 10 from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The live vinyasa yoga and meditation class will take place at South Side Cultural Center located at 701 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL. To participate virtually, a Zoom link will be emailed to you on Monday morning. To register, CLICK HERE. Suggested donation of $10 donation or more.

• Educational Webinar Presented by Baptist Health, Thursday, May 12 at 12:00 p.m. – Hear from Miami Cancer Institute’s Chief of Thoracic Surgery Dr. Mark Dylewski as he shares his insights about lung cancer risk factors and the importance of early screenings as a tool for prevention. REGISTER HERE.

• Las Olas 4 Lungs Pub Hop, Thursday, May 12, 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Enjoy this free event at Wild Sea and American Social on iconic Las Olas Boulevard. The event includes lite bites and one complimentary drink. Only 60 spots are available, first-come, first-serve so SIGN-UP HERE.

• Shop For A Cause, Friday, May 13 – Enjoy an early summer shopping outing at any one of these local retailers and mention the Lung Association prior to your purchase, and a portion of sales will benefit the American Lung Association.

• J Mclaughlin, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., 808 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The Lung Association will receive 15% back from sales. For those that cannot make it into the shop, call 954-530-9710 and mention the promotion.
• Kendra Scott, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 1810 Pointe Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004. The Lung Association will receive 20% back from sales.
• Lilly Pulitzer, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., 814 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 3330. The Lung Association will receive 15% back from sales.
• Robinson’s Jewelers, ALL day, 820 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Customers will receive a 15% discount and the Lung Association will receive 10% back from sales.

• Virtual Shopping Experience - Friday, May 13 from 12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, May 14 shop online at Kendra Scott. Use code GIVEBACK-BZKBB and 20% of proceeds from online orders placed during this set timeframe will benefit LUNG FORCE! Visit here to Shop.

• LUNG FORCE Race to the Cure, May 14. Host your friends and family for a LUNG FORCE 5K Run/Walk in your own neighborhood or park. Get your virtual race bib and take photos along the course. Tag us @LUNGSoFla. $100 min fundraising earns a fundraising incentive and a collectible T-Shirt! Visit www.TurquoiseTakeoverChallenge.org to register.

“Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among both women and men in our state. In 2022 alone, it is estimated that 19,560 Florida residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer. But there is hope. The five-year survival rate – the percentage of people who are still alive five years after being diagnosed – increased by a dramatic 33% in the past ten years,” said Frank Eidelman, MD, South Florida American Lung Association Board Member, Florida Medical Specialties Institute Chair and Allergy & Immunology Department Chair at Cleveland Clinic Florida. “Raising awareness and funds for lung cancer is more important than ever. We encourage our community to get involved in Turquoise Takeover.”

Lung cancer screening is key to early diagnosis, and early diagnosis saves lives. Unfortunately, only 5.7% of those at high risk have been screened nationally, including 3% in Florida. Next week, the Lung Association will release new creative for the groundbreaking “Saved By The Scan” campaign called A Hope Story. This new public service announcement educates people who smoke and used to smoke about the low-dose CT scan that can detect lung cancer in the early stages, when the disease is more curable.

The “Saved by the Scan” campaign is making a difference. In fact, more than 750,000 Americans have learned if they are at high risk for lung cancer through the online quiz. If you smoke or smoked, learn more about lung cancer screening at SavedByTheScan.org.

Local Sponsors of this campaign include: Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Kelley/ Uustal, Drum Realty, 15th Street Fisheries, Memorial Cancer Institute, Denison Yachting, We Florida Financial, Alhambra Orchestra, and Parent's Choice Medical Daycare.

Turquoise Takeover Week was created by the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE – a national initiative uniting Americans against lung cancer in 2014. Learn other ways to get involved with Turquoise Takeover at LUNGFORCE.org/TurquoiseTakeover or, in South Florida, www.TurquoiseTakeoverChallenge.org.

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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 women, men and caregivers across the country to stand together against lung cancer, the leading cancer killer. 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.

American Lung Association

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