"No Show Bowl" Raises Money to Benefit Lung Cancer Research, Brings Together Alumni of Legendary Rivals

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, a non-profit devoted to funding lung cancer research and advocacy, is kicking off the bowl season by hosting the "No Show Bowl" honoring Dr. Bill Bryant and Austin Lacey, two Alabama residents and, respectively, graduates of Auburn and Alabama, who lost their battles with lung cancer.  The "No Show Bowl" is a month-long fundraiser in which participants are asked not to show up anywhere, but simply go online and donate. The event runs the entire month of November, which is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and leads into the highly anticipated Iron Bowl between state rivals Auburn and Alabama.  LUNGevity hopes to rally the Tide and Tigers fans as well as sports fans everywhere to come together and take part in a huge "no show" event.

The fundraising event was created in memory of Auburn alum Dr. Bill Bryant, a Birmingham orthopedic surgeon who was the long time team doctor at Hoover High School and father of four children – Justin, Jessica, Jarod, and Jenna.  Dr. Bryant was a non-smoker and lost his battle to lung cancer five years ago.  "After Dad passed away, we decided to come up with a way to memorialize him and help prevent others from going through the incredible loss we experienced in losing him," said Jessica (Bryant) Sciacca, the oldest daughter of Dr. Bryant.  "The No Show Bowl is a light hearted  approach to confronting a dreadful disease.  We hope to create awareness, and generate donations without asking people to take time out of their busy schedules to attend an event.  We are honored to do our part and want people to join us to defeat lung cancer by raising money desperately needed for the research that can end this awful disease."

The event also honors Austin Lacey, another non-smoker and 28-year-old resident of Fairhope, Alabama, who died in May from lung cancer.  Austin's wife, Haley (Westbrook) Lacey, said "Lung cancer is an awful disease that affects so many men and women across the country. With more funding and attention, we can prevent others from losing their loved ones to this disease. I hope The No Show Bowl will get people engaged and help us turn the tide in the fight against lung cancer."

Donations can be made to the No Show Bowl by visiting www.lungevity.org/alabama and donating to a fundraising team or individual.  To create a friendly competition and encourage fundraising efforts, the top fundraiser (excluding the Bryant and Lacey families) will be awarded two (2) Club Level tickets to the Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints game on Sunday, December 11^th in Nashville.

Facts About the #1 Cancer Killer

• Lung cancer impacts 1 in 14 Americans and kills more than the next seven cancers combined.
• Lung cancer accounts for almost 28% of all cancer deaths.
• Twice as many women die from lung cancer as from breast cancer.
• 60% of Americans diagnosed with lung cancer had either never smoked a cigarette in their lives or had quit earlier.
• Less than 15% of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive 5 years post‐diagnosis due to finding the disease too late.
• There is no effective early diagnostic available today.
• If lung cancer is caught before it spreads, the chance for survival improves to over 60%.

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