Will Your Town Be Next?
By Lynn N. Capri
From LA to Atlanta to Chelmsford, Free to Breathe® event participants across the country will walk, run, stretch and tee off this year to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by lung cancer through the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s research, education and awareness programs. Chelmsford-area residents will have their chance to join the movement at the second annual Free to Breathe® Chelmsford Fun 5K Run/Walk and Kids Dash on Sept. 25 at the Harrington Elementary School Football Stadium Parking Lot.
The 5K Fun Run/Walk and Kids Dash will rally the community to create change and help defeat lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death of men and women in Massachusetts. Free to Breathe® supporters and participants are creating communities of hope by raising awareness of the disease and funds which can fuel advances in detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.
The National Lung Cancer Partnership started the Free to Breathe® event series with a single 5K run and walk in Philadelphia in 2006. Since then, the event series has raised more than $3.6 million with 100% of the net proceeds dedicated to making a difference for everyone affected by lung cancer and to directly funding programs of change. In 2011, 36 events across the country will unite thousands of families, friends, neighbors and coworkers, bringing hope to those touched by this deadly disease.
Those who aren’t able to participate in a local event can join the National Walk Week ~ “Your Walk, Your Way, Your Day” ~ from Nov. 5 through Nov. 11. Supporters can gather on sidewalks in their neighborhoods, nearby parks or on streets throughout their town to walk in spirit with others across the country who’ve joined the movement to defeat lung cancer.
For more information and to register, donate, sponsor or volunteer for a Free to Breathe® event, please visit www.FreetoBreathe.org.
For more on the National Lung Cancer Partnership, please visit www.NationalLungCancerPartnership.org.
Photo courtesy of National Lung Cancer Partnership