NASCAR Legend Sterling Marlin Joins 'Breathe Deep Nashville'

5K Run/Walk to Benefit Lung Cancer Research on Nov. 5

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two-time Daytona 500 winner and Middle Tennessee resident Sterling Marlin has joined the "Breathe Deep Nashville" steering committee.  Marlin, who lost his father, the great racer Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin, and his grandfather to lung cancer, is joining a 17-member Nashville steering committee.

The steering committee is chaired by lung cancer expert Dr. Pierre Massion of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.  Dr. Massion also chairs the Scientific Advisory Board of the event's sponsor, LUNGevity Foundation.  

"Having lost my father and grandfather to lung cancer, I know the devastation this disease has on its victims and their families," said Marlin. "Getting involved in 'Breathe Deep Nashville' is great way for me to honor my father and grandfather."

The "Breathe Deep Nashville" 5K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, at Centennial Park. It is one of more than 60 events across the country this year hosted by LUNGevity. This is LUNGevity's first Nashville event.

LUNGevity is dedicated to funding research for early detection and targeted therapies for lung cancer. LUNGevity has the largest grant awards program of any lung cancer organization in the United States and supports the largest grassroots network.  

"We are grateful that Sterling will take time from his busy schedule to join our fight," said Andrea Stern Ferris, president of LUNGevity. "He knows how devastating lung cancer can be and how critical it is to raise the monies to fund research on early detection. If found early, the five-year survival rate increases to more than 70 percent. We hope Nashville residents will join us on Nov. 5 and be a part of our national conversation on lung cancer."

Visit www.breathedeepnashville.org for more information or to register for the "Breathe Deep Nashville" 5K Run/Walk.  LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.

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 its 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.  The organization moves forward firmly resolved to provide the energy, inspiration, and resources that are critical to making lung cancer a national priority. LUNGevity's goal is to Stop Lung Cancer Now. LUNGevity Foundation has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, American's premier charity evaluator. For more information, visit: www.lungevity.org.

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation