LUNGevity Breathe Deep PSAs to Air During Indianapolis 500 Festivities, Race

Nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit asks viewers to help stop lung cancer now

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, is pleased to announce its Public Service Announcements will play on the JumboTron during the May 25-27, 2012 Indy 500 festivities and race, in conjunction with May's designation as Lung Cancer Hope Month. The PSAs will promote awareness of the need for lung cancer research, inviting all Indianapolis Motor Speedway attendees to join in LUNGevity Breathe Deep events to raise awareness and funds for earlier detection and more effective treatments of lung cancer.  LUNGevity's 60-second version (http://youtu.be/bEMl9JWw4mA) and a 30-second version PSAs (http://youtu.be/Si5b5jM7Cww) will both be featured.

The Breathe Deep walks and runs are LUNGevity's signature events that occur in dozens of communities nationwide.  Breathe Deep events were launched by the Foundation to raise public awareness and critical funds needed for lung cancer research. One in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime. The disease kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer.  About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers.  Compared to other cancers, the disease receives relatively little government research funding. 

"We are grateful for the opportunity to reach over 1.5 million viewers with our PSAs," said LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris. "The PSAs capture the energy and spirit of those participating in Breathe Deep events, and we hope they inspire Indy 500 fans to take action, join us, and start their own events. LUNGevity is committed to finding early diagnoses and more effective treatments for lung cancer."

LUNGevity is the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit. It has the largest grants award program for lung cancer research among lung cancer nonprofit organizations in the United States.  In 2011 alone, LUNGevity awarded $2 million to fund nine of the most promising lung cancer research proposals in the areas of early detection and targeted therapeutics. In addition to funding research, the Foundation has a robust national grassroots network, with events happening across the country. The organization also has the largest online support community for lung cancer patients and their loved ones.

The Foundation created Lung Cancer Hope Month, in May, to recognize the hope for better treatments and earlier diagnoses for lung cancer, improving lung cancer survival rates and quality of life for lung cancer patients and their loved ones. During the month, LUNGevity has hosted a number of events to build awareness of the lung cancer community and raise funds for critical lifesaving research.  LUNGevity's presence at the Indy 500 will conclude an important month of community engagement for the organization.

To schedule an interview with LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris, contact Victoria Shapiro at (202) 414-0774 or [email protected]

About LUNGevity Foundation

The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients, and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer.

Through the support of critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as providing information, resources and a community to patients and caregivers, LUNGevity is creating and sharing hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for lung cancer patients.  

LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.

For more information, please visit www.lungevity.org.

About Lung Cancer

• 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity
• Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer
• About 55 percent of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers
• Only 16 percent of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, but if it's caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves to 52 percent

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation