Athens Locals Rally to Support Innovative Lung Cancer Research

The lung cancer community is on a mission: to make surviving lung cancer the expectation, not the exception. Hundreds of local residents will join in that mission by participating in the Athens Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk on November 14 at Sandy Creek Park. All proceeds from the event support Free to Breathe, a lung cancer research and advocacy organization dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival by 2022.

“Fundraising for lung cancer research can help families think of survival in terms of years, instead of months,” said volunteer regional event chair Karen Odell of Atlanta. “By taking action in the Free to Breathe movement and fundraising, you’re bringing hope and empowerment to all those touched by the disease.”

United in the belief that every person with lung cancer deserves a cure, the Free to Breathe community has helped raise more than $12 million to fund groundbreaking research, enroll more patients in clinical trials and provide free educational resources to those living with lung cancer.

Community members, teams and local businesses came together during the 2014 Athens Free to Breathe 5K to raise more than $64,000 for a disease that touches over 224,000 newly diagnosed patients each year. Event chairs hope to reach their goal of $72,000, which will go a long way in supporting lung cancer research and educational programs.

The 5K run/walk and 1-mile memorial walk will be the main focus at this year’s enlivening event. Opening and closing rallies will accompany an already invigorating day that the entire family can enjoy will accompany an already invigorating day that the entire family can enjoy. Special recognition will be given to top finishers and fundraising heroes. Help double lung cancer survival by 2022. To register and begin fundraising, visit www.freetobreathe.org.

Those who aren’t able to attend the Athens Free to Breathe 5K can still have an enormous impact by registering and fundraising as a virtual walker in the event. Or, those who wish to create their own unique fundraiser can access tools from Free to Breathe that will help turn any passion into a custom fundraising opportunity. The possibilities are endless but the end result is certain -- improving the lives of everyone affected by lung cancer. To get started today visit www.freetobreathe.org/community-fundraising.

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Free to Breathe

Free to Breathe, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a partnership of lung cancer survivors, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry leaders dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival by 2022. For more information, visit www.freetobreathe.org.