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Lung Cancer ranks highest among killer cancers, taking more lives annually than colon, pancreatic, breast and prostate cancers together. Even though it is often seen as a disease affecting prior smokers, it is important to know that lung cancer can affect all people. Smoking history, age, gender or ethnic group are irrelevant aspects in the fight with this indiscriminate killer.
Unfortunately, this terrible disease doesn’t get as much attention as it should in order to aware people of its gravity. It receives only $1,442 in federal research funds per death, while one breast cancer death has $26,398 allocated, an NIH study shows.
There are more and more private organizations that raise awareness and funds for the fight against lung cancer. LUNGevity Foundation is dedicated to advancing research for improving the early detection of the disease, creating better treatment, supporting and informing the communities. As 1 in 14 Americans suffer from lung cancer, the foundation also wants to improve the quality of life of the patients and survivors.
Their latest campaign, LUNGevity Foundation’s Stop Lung Cancer, united both people showing solidarity for the deathful phenomenon such as actors, musicians, sportsmen or simply users of the social media and survivors of the disease. All of them used their social networks to raise awareness of lung cancer, by using the hashtag #ChangeLC.
One symbol of the campaign was the blue wrist band. Actor Stephen Lang and reality show star Bret Michaels were seen wearing them, as well as lung cancer survivor Dan Powell, which posted a photo with former NFL Chris Draft on Facebook.
We should all get involved in the fight against lung cancer because we are equally exposed to its risks. There is much we can do to make people aware of the no.1 cancer killer in the U.S.:
- Write a letter to the local newspaper, asking for support in the fight against lung cancer;
- Visit Lung Cancer Free World, Free to Breath or the LUNGevity Foundation for local events and for supporting patients;
- Join the #lcsm (lung cancer social media) on Twitter.
