Rhode Island Medical Imaging Joins LUNG FORCE Walk Providence

Providence, RI (June 5, 2018)- The American Lung Association today announced that Rhode Island Medical Imagingwill sponsor the Fourth Annual LUNG FORCE Walk Providence. The 2-mile walk around Roger Williams Park will take place on Saturday, June 16, from 9:30AM – 12PM, and will raise funds for research and advocacy for lung cancer, the number one cancer killer in the U.S. The event will kick-off at 9:30AM with a short program, honoring local LUNG FORCE Heroes, survivors and advocates and welcoming over 300 participating Rhode Islanders.

“LUNG FORCE events like the walk in Providence are being held around the country, because the American public is stepping up to make sure that lung cancer is a national public health priority,” said Jeff Seyler, Chief Division Officer of the American Lung Association. “We are thrilled to have the support of Rhode Island Medical Imaging in our fight to defeat this devastating disease. Every dollar raised today will help us save lives.”

The Providence Walk is part of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE movement, which aims to raise funds for research, awareness around early detection, and advance advocacy and education for lung cancer, particularly around the high rate of lung cancer in women. LUNG FORCE is recognized nationwide and includes 38 walks in 25 states in 2018.

“Rhode Island Medical Imaging is proud to be a part of the fight against lung cancer,” said Dr. Terrance Healey, a RIMI radiologist who specializes in thoracic radiology and has been involved with the LUNG FORCE Walk since 2014. “Walking in solidarity with our patients, fellow medical professionals and others in the community means we are all one step closer to living healthier lives.”

Today, lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women, killing 1 woman every 7 minutes in the United States. The LUNG FORCE movement focuses on encouraging women to speak to their doctors early, because survival rates are five times higher when lung cancer is detected early. Fewer than half of all women diagnosed with lung cancer survive one year after diagnosis, and yet, according to new research from the American Lung Association’s Women’s Lung Health Barometer, only 3 percent of women identify lung cancer as a cancer that is top-of-mind for them.

LUNG FORCE also works to educate the public on lung disease, early detection methods and general lung health. The movement aims to show that lung cancer does not discriminate and can affect anyone.

The American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE campaign is presented nationally by CVS Health.