The Dusty Joy Foundation's initial focus is in its home state of North Carolina expanding to other states through supporters there With the support of community volunteers, the Foundation will conduct educational rallies in any community in the US.
Whether or not you live in North Carolina, if you want to organize a balloon release and educational rally in your community, let's start planning! With your help, we can have a balloon release in your community. Contact us.
Past Events for North Carolina
Chatham Health Initiative: Lung Cancer
Chatham Health Initiative: Lung Cancer was held June 4, 2011, at Heaven’s Manna Church in Siler City, NC. The event featured Mike Lunsford, radon expert with the NC Radiation Protection Service, who spoke about radon risks, testing and mitigation. Dusty Donaldson shared Uncommon Lung Cancer Facts. Following the presentations, everyone gathered next to the nearby pond to release 66 balloons in recognition of the 66 Chatham County residents expected to be told this year: You have lung cancer. Thank you to our sponsors Heaven’s Manna Church, Walgreens, Richard Parr Hot Air Balloon Rides and to all the volunteers who helped make it happen! Lung cancer was the first Chatham Health Initiative. For more information about upcoming Chatham Health Initiatives, contact Gerard Moses at glmoses@thestorytellersband.com.
Festival Goers Learn About Lung Cancer
Dusty Joy Foundation provided free helium-filled, red balloons to scores of children attending the 79th North Carolina Strawberry Festival in Chadbourn on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Throughout the day, Dusty Joy volunteers inflated balloons for the children while sharing Uncommon Lung Cancer Facts with their parents. The balloon extravaganza culminated with a balloon release recognizing the residents of Columbus County who will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. Dusty Joy organizers shared information about lung cancer then invited festival goers to test their knowledge about the disease by taking a brief quiz. Respondents expressed dismay at the shocking statistics regarding lung cancer.
Relay for Life Highlights Lung Cancer
More than 1,000 participants registered for the Hertford-Gates Relay for Life which was held April 15-16 at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC. Dusty Donaldson, lung cancer survivor, founder of the Dusty Joy Foundation and keynote speaker, released 36 balloons as a tribute to the residents of Hertford County and Gates County who will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011. According to the NC Central Cancer Registry, 27 residents of the two counties will die from lung cancer this year.
Forsyth Hope Lung Cancer 5K
The Dusty Joy Foundation conducted a balloon release as part of the Hope Lung Cancer 5K held November 6, 2010, at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC. The release was the second conducted in Forsyth County. We released 295 balloons (226 clear and 69 red) which represents the new lung cancer diagnoses in the county in 2010. Approximately 500 people came out to honor those touched by lung cancer and participate in the Hope 5K.
Mecklenburg County (Charlotte)
The North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Program invited Dusty Joy Foundation to conduct a balloon release during the 4th Annual Survivorship Summit held in Charlotte on June 18, 2010. Following a presentation by Dusty Donaldson, participants walked across the street to Marshall Park for the balloon release. Mecklenburg County has the highest number of lung cancer deaths (471) in the state and is tied with Wake County for the greatest number of new diagnoses (628). Participants used canes, wheelchairs and walkers to attend the event. Journalists from the Charlotte Observer and WSOC-TV covered the event.
Forsyth County (Winston-Salem)
The first educational rally and balloon release was conducted by the Dusty Joy Foundation in Forsyth County, NC. The Foundation was the Nonprofit Partner of Wake Forest University’s Healthcare Conference and Case Competition on March 19, 2010. U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) discussed healthcare issues with students, faculty and the public. Dusty Donaldson shared information about lung cancer with the audience, after Senator Burr’s remarks. The balloon release followed. In 2010, the North Carolina Cancer Registry expects 295 new lung cancer diagnoses in Forsyth County and 226 lung cancer deaths.