The American Lung Association in California is hosting its annual Lung Force Walk Sunday to help raise awareness of lung cancer, drive policy change and increase research funding.
Registration began at 7:30 a.m. and the walk started at 9 a.m. at Embarcadero Marina Park South. The pet-friendly event features games and music. Participants are encouraged to wear turquoise.
There are some 18,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in California each year. It is the leading cancer that causes death among women in the United States, according to the Lung Association.
It is the second most common form of cancer among men and women. There are about 156,000 total deaths from lung cancer each year in the country, according to the American Cancer Society.
“The reality is that anyone can get lung cancer, yet lung cancer has been in the shadows for decades,” said Rita Redaelli, executive director of the American Lung Association in San Diego. “This simply must change. We invite everyone in San Diego to join us and rally with friends, neighbors and colleagues to raise our voices together against lung cancer.”
The walk has raised more than $178,000 of its $210,000 goal, according to the event website.
–City News Service
