Balloon Release and 5K Kick Off Lung Cancer Awareness Month
CLEMMONS, NC--(November 2, 2010) The Dusty Joy Foundation, a new nonprofit promoting education, early detection and compassion for those touched by lung cancer, will conduct a balloon release as part of the 2nd annual Hope Lung Cancer 5K and Family Fun Run at 8:45 AM Saturday, November 6, 2010, at Shelter #4, Tanglewood Park. Approximately 500 participants are expected to attend the event.
Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of men and women in the state and the nation. Lung cancer kills more than breast, colon, prostate, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers combined. Yet, lung cancer is the least funded of all major cancers. North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue declared November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. In North Carolina, 7,772 new lung cancer cases and 5,914 lung cancer deaths are predicted for 2010.
According to the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry, this year 295 Forsyth County residents will be told they have lung cancer. Also, the disease will claim the lives of 226 residents this year. Based on those projections, a total of 226 clear, organic, biodegradable balloons will be released. Clear is lung cancer's "color," similar to pink for breast cancer. Clear balloons will represent the number of lives lost to lung cancer this year in Forsyth County. Red balloons represent survivors or those living with lung cancer. The number of red balloons released will be 69.
ABOUT THE HOPE LUNG CANCER 5K
All proceeds from the Hope Lung Cancer 5K charity event will remain in the Triad and shared among the Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center, Cancer Services and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for lung cancer education, research and patient support. For more information about the Hope Lung Cancer 5K, visit www.hopelungcancer5k.org.
ABOUT THE DUSTY JOY FOUNDATION
The mission of the Dusty Joy Foundation is to promote education, early detection and compassion for those touched by lung cancer. To increase awareness about lung cancer, the Dusty Joy Foundation will conduct a rally and balloon release in every county across the state of North Carolina. The Foundation aspires to help pave the way for increased research funding leading to early detection of lung cancer. For more information about the Dusty Joy Foundation, visit www.dustyjoy.org.
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