American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE Partners with Patti LaBelle in a New Video to Raise Awareness of Lung Cancer in Women
To kick off National Women's Lung Health Week, LaBelle shares how lung cancer has affected her life, rallies others to defeat the number one cancer killer of women
CVS Health to launch in-store fundraising campaign on May 15
CHICAGO, May 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the American Lung Association'sLUNG FORCE initiative, nationally presented by CVS Health, debuted a short video featuring GRAMMY® Award-winning singer Patti LaBelle, who shares how lung cancer - the number one cancer killer of women in the United States - has affected her personally and taken the lives of many people close to her.
Patti LaBelle knows from firsthand experience the heartbreak lung cancer can cause. She lost two sisters and her first choir instructor to the disease.
One World Trade Center in New York, NY shines turquoise in support of the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative.
The Hoover Dam makes a turquoise splash to support the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative.
"I feel blessed to share my voice in the fight against lung cancer for those who are no longer with us. Two of my sisters, Vivian and Jackie, lost their lives to the disease in their early 40's as did my first choir instructor, who helped shape who I am as a performer," said LaBelle. "It's all about hope and progress, but awareness and education are still critical – I was surprised to learn that only one in four African-American and Hispanic women even know that lung cancer kills more than any other cancer. I'm encouraging everyone to give their one hundred percent in the fight against lung cancer – even ninety-nine and a half won't do."
The video, co-produced by Quincy Jones III, co-founder of the healthy lifestyle movement and media company Feel Rich™, also features one of LaBelle's favorite choirs, the East Coast Inspirational Singers from Harlem, NY. Sharing their voices, LaBelle and the choir encourage everyone to join LUNG FORCE in the fight against lung cancer.
"We're so grateful to have Patti LaBelle lend her iconic voice to the LUNG FORCE initiative," said Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Every eight minutes, a woman in the United States loses her battle with lung cancer. It's estimated that 72,000 American women will lose their lives to lung cancer in 2016 alone – more than a quarter of all female cancer deaths. This needs to change and we are asking all Americans to join us in the fight against lung cancer in women."
In celebration of National Women's Lung Health Week, LaBelle and the East Coast Inspirational Singers helped launch the video with a surprise pop-up performance today at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Beginning today (Tuesday, May 10th) through Saturday, June 11th, you can visit LUNGFORCE.org to register for the chance to see LaBelle in concert and donate to support the American Lung Association's investment in lung cancer research and public health promotion.
CVS Pharmacy's In-Store Fundraising Campaign to Benefit LUNG FORCE From Sunday, May 15th through Saturday, June 11th, CVS Pharmacy customers can support LUNG FORCE when they donate at the register or online at CVS.com/lung (all proceeds will support the initiative).
"Our partnership with the American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE helps us drive awareness that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer," said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for CVS Health. "As we kick off the third year of our LUNG FORCE in-store fundraising campaign, we continue to make significant strides in educating our customers, raising critical funds to support lung cancer research and advancing our company's purpose of helping people on their path to better health."
#ShareYourVoice to Defeat Lung Cancer Visit LUNGFORCE.org to share your voice in the fight against lung cancer in one of the following ways:
If lung cancer has touched your life or the life of someone you love, please share your story at LUNGFORCE.org/tell-your-story
Use #ShareYourVoice and #LUNGFORCE on social media
Make a donation to support the American Lung Association's investment in lung cancer research and public health promotion
You can also commit to fundraise and rally friends, neighbors and colleagues to stand together and fight lung cancer at a LUNG FORCE Walk. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org/walk.
About The American Lung Association The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.
About LUNG FORCE LUNG FORCE is a new national movement led by the American Lung Association to unite women against lung cancer, the #1 cancer killer of women. LUNG FORCE has three priorities: 1) Make lung cancer a cause that people care about – and act on; 2) Educate and empower patients and healthcare providers and 3) Raise critical funds for lung cancer research. The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE is nationally presented by CVS Health. Find out more at LUNGFORCE.org.
About CVS Health CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Media Contacts: Allison MacMunn American Lung Association 312-801-7628 [email protected]
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