On Oct. 14, members of the Jacksonville community will once again come together with the American Lung Association to help defeat lung cancer and lung disease one step at a time. The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, presented by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, will take place on the Southbank Riverwalk. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the family-friendly event, which has raised more than $635,000 in total for lifesaving lung cancer research, early detection initiatives and awareness.
“For the past 10 years, the Jacksonville community has enthusiastically laced up their sneakers to help save lives,” said Cindy Springer, senior manager of development for the American Lung Association in Jacksonville. “Lung cancer touches thousands of Florida families. Our LUNG FORCE event offers an opportunity for people impacted by this disease to unite and stand together to educate, advocate and fuel critical research.”
While lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, there is hope. More Americans than ever are surviving lung cancer. The survival rate has increased by nearly 40% in the last decade. Funding research, encouraging lung cancer screening and reducing stigma around the disease is the key to unlocking a future free of lung cancer.
The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk is open to individuals, families and company teams. Participants may run or walk the 5K route along the St. Johns River and afterward enjoy the vendor village, which will feature a DJ, a photo booth, food truck Jazzee’s Wings and Things and more.
Check in at The Haskell Company, 111 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville will be at 7:30 a.m. The run/walk will be from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Funds raised by the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk will support the American Lung Association’s work to defeat lung cancer, improve the air we breathe, reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families and eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases.
For more information and to register for the Jacksonville LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, go to LUNGFORCE.org/Jacksonville.
