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Free to Breathe event to raise funds, awareness
By DAN EAKIN, deakin@acnpapers.com
Lung cancer kills more people than prostate, colon and breast cancer combined.
Una McKeen, co-chair of the Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Walk on May 21 at Oak Point Park, said lung cancer research does not have as much support as research for other cancers "because of the stigma attached."
"A lot of people feel that lung cancer patients have brought it on themselves through smoking," she said. "However, a large percentage of the 160,000 who die from lung cancer every year have never smoked."
"Despite the fact that lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of men and women in Texas, awareness of the disease and its risks and symptoms is low, and the amount of federal research dollars available pales in comparison to other cancers," McKeen said.
She said she got involved in raising funds for lung cancer research after a good friend, Sarah Farmer, died about three years ago.
Simon Farmer, a Plano resident and husband of Sarah Farmer, said he is heavily involved in efforts to raise funds for lung cancer research in memory of his wife and because he wants his three children to be aware of what happened to their mother. He is hopeful that lung cancer research can help prevent other children from losing a parent to lung cancer.
He said his wife, who never smoked, was given only three months to live after having been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008.
Carin Burr of Plano, a member of the eight-person committee planning the Free to Breathe event, said, "Everybody on the committee has either lost a family member or friend to lung cancer or has a friend or family member currently suffering from lung cancer."
McKeen said at least 500 people are expected to gather at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, located at 2801 East Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, early on May 21.
Registration begins at 6:45 a.m., with a warm-up at 8 a.m. The run/walk will begin at 8:15 a.m.
She said two bands have agreed to perform at the event and participants will be presented goody bags filled with vouchers, coupons and other gifts donated by area merchants.
All proceeds support the National Lung Cancer Partnership's research, education and awareness programs, which empower patients, advocates and the community to affect change, and make the fight against lung cancer a priority.
The National Lung Cancer Partnership was founded by physicians and researchers working together with survivors and advocates to increase lung cancer awareness and to fund cutting-edge lung cancer research, which is essential to helping patients live longer and better lives.
To fulfill its mission of raising awareness and research funding for lung cancer, the Partnership initiated the Free to Breathe program in 2006.
The program started as a 5K run/walk event series that has expanded across the United States and now includes yogathons, golf tournaments, and other athletic activities.
Each Free to Breathe event brings together people who have been touched by lung cancer and those who want to participate in an athletic event for a great cause.
For information or to register, donate, sponsor or volunteer for the event, go to www.FreetoBreathe.org.
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