Mountainside Survivor Shares Startling Facts On Lung Cancer

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ — Bill Schrul of Mountainside was a healthy, athletic man who never smoked a day in his life. Yet on June 13, 2012, Schrul was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

It was a diagnosis Schrul and his family did not think could happen.

“I couldn’t be more shocked,” Schrul said.

In reality, lung cancer is the world’s number one killer. In the U.S., more people die of lung cancer than pancreatic, breast and prostate cancer combined. Although it is the most underfunded cancer, according to Lung Cancer Research Foundation.

Since being diagnosed Shrul has taken multiple medications and undergone a clinical trial. He is doing well now.

“I workout generally five days a week and do rather well. My breathing is not what it used to be."

Now it has become Schrul’s mission to spread the word.

“It is so important to me to educate people about lung cancer,” Schrul said. “My friends were overwhelmed to find out it kills far more women than breast cancer. It is viewed as smokers disease but I have always stayed healthy and fit. I never touched a cigarette in my life. It could happen to you or your wife, anyone that breathes can get lung cancer. It is a startling thing to think about that.”

Shrul will be walking in Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s Northern New Jersey Free to Breathe Walk on Sunday, Oct. 7 to raise awareness and funding for this deadly disease. It will be held at Horseshoe Lake Park in Succasunna in Morris County.

Locals and members of the lung cancer community will come out to walk. Shrul will be walking with his wife, son (29), daughter (26), and other family and friends.

Event check-in begins at 9 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. to recognize sponsors and top fundraisers. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. and a live band will be onsite.

Funds raised from the Northern New Jersey Free to Breathe Walk benefit the Lung Cancer Research Foundation and its mission to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer. This support directly impacts the Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s ability to fund lung cancer research through its Scientific Grant Program.

“I definitely enjoy walking because it’s a way to give back,” Schrul said. “I’ve been a huge advocate and I am definitely a person that likes to give back and give hope to other people.”

There is no fee to register for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation’s Northern New Jersey Free to Breathe Walk. Anyone who raises $100 or more will earn an official event T-shirt. To register and begin fundraising, visit lcrf.org/northernnj.

(Image via Bill Schrul: Bill Schrul with his wife, son (29), daughter (26))

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.