Online Lung Cancer Patient Caregiver Resource Center Opens

Nation's largest lung cancer nonprofit fills critical unmet need for lung cancer caregivers, launches during Lung Cancer Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer organization, announces the launch today of its Caregiver Resource Center to fill a critical unmet need in the lung cancer community (http://www.lungevity.org/caregiver). The Caregiver Resource Center is a 24-7 peer to peer online support community for family members and friends caring for loved ones struggling with the nation's number one cancer killer. LUNGevity's Caregiver Resource Center is the first online resource wholly devoted to lung cancer caregivers.  

"LUNGevity is pleased to be expanding upon the vital resources we provide to the lung cancer community by launching LUNGevity's Caregiver Resource Center," said Andrea Stern Ferris, LUNGevity Foundation president. "Coping with lung cancer can feel so isolating and draining, and it is critical for caregivers to have the support and care of a community. I am pleased LUNGevity is able to help give the thousands of caregivers across the nation tools for helping them cope with caring for someone affected by this deadly disease."

Lung cancer takes a terrible toll on our nation. The number of people who die from the disease is roughly equal to having a jumbo jet fall from the sky every single day, with no survivors. Over the course of their lives, one in 14 Americans is affected by lung cancer. Lung cancer can afflict anyone regardless of age, gender, smoking history or skin color. And because there is no widely available, effective early diagnostic test for the disease, less than 16 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive more than five years.

Lung cancer caregivers are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, neighbors and family friends of all ages.  In most cases, they have no medical background. The caregiver becomes the field manager for the lung cancer patient without the knowledge or tools to effectively fulfill that role.  Caregivers may feel isolated, lack supportive people around them, and often neglect themselves as they focus on caring for the patient. In part because of the life expectancy of those with lung cancer, their caregivers often have very unique needs and endure enormous emotional stress.

"Caregivers may struggle with their own anger and frustration over their loved one's disease because of the emotions that often come with a diagnosis of lung cancer," said Nick Cappiello, who served as a caregiver to his mother who passed away from lung cancer in 2006.  "The resources available to these caregivers are few and far between.  But a dedicated place where these caregivers can find others who encounter the same challenges, who deal with the same emotions, who are seeking the same answers, is a bright spot in what can be a lonely, emotional and challenging time."

LUNGevity's Caregiver Resource Center arms caregivers with information on what to expect after a lung cancer diagnosis; what questions to ask and issues to consider; how to help be a healthcare advocate for the patient; ways to take care of themselves and resources available. The Center includes on-line materials plus an online support community/co-survivor support service. Materials will be periodically evaluated and revised to be current and relevant to the caregiver.

The Caregiver Resource Center is the latest of a number of online resources offered by the Foundation. LUNGevity already hosts the largest online network for people affected by lung cancer, as well as LUNGevity Link Up, an online advocacy training program and resource center for individuals working to become more active participants in the fight against 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 has awarded $2 million to fund nine of the most promising lung cancer research proposals in the areas of early detection and targeted therapeutics. To help support its mission and raise awareness of the disease, the organization hosts 60 community-building and fundraising events across the country each year. In November alone, LUNGevity is hosting 21 grassroots events including 15 signature Breathe Deep walk/runs for raising awareness of the disease and giving those affected places to share, hope and heal.

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.

The organization was recently awarded the coveted four-star charity ranking by Charity Navigator, American's premier charity evaluator based on 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.

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation