Shakin' It Up!! To End Lung Cancer

Nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit hosts its inaugural Mixology event in Pittsburgh, PA, September 20, 2012

CHICAGO, Sept. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, is excited to announce additional, premier Mixologists for its first Pittsburgh event, the first-ever Shakin' It Up cocktail (and mocktail) competition in Pittsburgh on September 20—a fun and exciting twist on the mixology competition to celebrate today's healthier lifestyles and build awareness and raise critical dollars for lung cancer research.

Top mixologists in the Pittsburgh area, including Colin Anderson, Bar Marco; Tara Shinn, Cioppino Seafood and Steakhouse; Kevin Saftner, James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy; Marie Perriello, Stir Society; Allie Contreras, Verde; Kory Husson, Plum Pan-Asian Kitchen; Mike Mills, Meat & Potatoes; Stephen "Stevie P" Pacacha, Liquid Flair, LLC; and RaeLynn Harshman, Dish Osteria and Bar, will compete to create a signature cocktail using unique mixers and finishing with their magical secret ingredients to leave you wondering what made it so scrumptious!  We are delighted to have Penn 1681 as the spirit sponsor for the event.  The real fun will come when guests and celebrity judges, including such names as Michael Green, former Wine and Spirits Consultant of Gourmet Magazine, and Bill Toland, reporting on spirits, liquor, cocktails, and bars for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, pick the top awards:  the People's Choice Award and the Judges' Award. 

Join us for drinks, appetizers, live auction, raffle and music.  Along the way you may learn what makes a good drink great.

"I am thrilled to be a part of such a unique event," said Michael Green.  "The quality and interest in healthy cocktails and mocktails has increased dramatically throughout the past few years, and I cannot wait to taste the creations from some of Pittsburgh's best bar chefs.  I am proud to be part of this event and support the great work of LUNGevity."

The September 20th event will start at 7:00 pm at the Jay Verno Studios, 3030 Jane St., in Pittsburgh's Southside.  At 9:00 pm the live auction will start, followed by the announcement of the Mixology winners.  In addition to the tasting area and entertainment center, VIP Sponsors will be invited to the judges' lounge where you can meet the judges and get insider tips on Mixology.

"We are delighted to be hosting an event in Pittsburgh.  Our goal is to support the community touched by lung cancer.  Together we will build momentum towards stopping this disease," said LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris.  

In the past two years, LUNGevity has awarded over $5 million to the most promising lung cancer research proposals in the areas of early detection and targeted therapeutics. In addition to funding research, LUNGevity also provides the largest online support community for those affected by lung cancer, medically-expert information, a caregiver resource center, and has the largest national grassroots lung cancer network, with events happening across the country.

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. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers.  

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

For more information about the grants or LUNGevity Foundation, 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% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers
• Only 16% 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 dramatically

SOURCE LUNGevity Foundation