LUNGevity Foundation, Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation Join Together to Raise Awareness and Funds for Lung Cancer Research

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, and Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation, a leading supporter of lung cancer research and awareness, have agreed to collaborate to drive funding for lung cancer research and elevate awareness about the nation's number one cancer killer.

The two lung cancer nonprofits are joining together to hold a series of  fundraising and lung cancer awareness events, starting with the 9th annual Run As One event in New York City on April 29. The popular race, a qualifying event for the ING NYC Marathon and launched by the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation, annually attracts as many as 10,000 runners and walkers as it calls attention to the fight against lung cancer.

Thomas G. Labrecque Jr., President of the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation, said the collaborative effort with LUNGevity Foundation is "a wonderful one-plus-one-yields-three kind of opportunity that will greatly benefit the lung cancer community."

Both the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation and LUNGevity Foundation are deeply committed to funding the most promising lung cancer research and raising awareness about the disease.

Their shared goals and singular focus on combating lung cancer create the opportunity for effective collaboration. The organizations believe that they can productively leverage their joint resources to accelerate progress in the fight against lung cancer, and in doing so provide hope and inspiration for patients and families.

Andrea Ferris, president of LUNGevity Foundation, said, "We are keenly aware of the great work of the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation and delighted to have an opportunity to work together to support critically needed research and create hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for lung cancer patients."

About Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation
The Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation is committed to preventing lung cancer through education and research. At the age of 62, Tom Labrecque, the former Chairman of The Chase Manhattan Bank, a never-smoker, died from lung cancer eight weeks after being diagnosed. Tom's family and friends started the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation in 2002 to fight the #1 cancer killer in the United States. The Foundation has a two-pronged mission, to fund effective research and to educate people about lung cancer. In the process, we want to break some of the stigmas associated with the disease, since many people believe it is a smokers' disease. For more information about the Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation, please visit www.tglfoundation.com.

About LUNGevity Foundation
The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful and immediate 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.

In order to accomplish our mission, LUNGevity funds the most promising research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer. LUNGevity also supports the largest national grassroots lung cancer network, as well as the largest online support community for those affected by lung cancer. 

LUNGevity has the largest grants award program for lung cancer research among lung cancer nonprofit organizations in the United States.  In 2011 alone, it awarded $2 million to fund nine of the most promising lung cancer research proposals in the areas of early detection and targeted therapeutics.  Through the support of critical research, 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.  

The organization was recently awarded the coveted four-star charity ranking by Charity Navigator, American's premier charity evaluator. The ranking recognizes LUNGevity's sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

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

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

About Lung Cancer

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
• Lung cancer impacts one in 14 Americans and kills more than breast, prostate, colorectal, leukemia, and melanoma cancers combined.
• Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer, and more than twice 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.
• Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer diagnoses but 27% of all cancer deaths.

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation