American Lung Association Celebrates 10 Years of Hope at the LUNG FORCE Walk New Jersey on September 14

This year, the American Lung Association in New Jersey is celebrating 10 years of the LUNG FORCE Walk in New Jersey and the incredible impact the event has had on the local community, survivors and families. This year, the LUNG FORCE Walk will take place at Duke Island Park on Saturday, September 14 starting at 9:30 a.m. with a fundraising goal of $135,000.

The LUNG FORCE Walk is a celebratory and welcoming event that provides critical funds for lifesaving lung cancer research, early detection initiatives and awareness. For the event, participants will walk 2 miles at Duke Island Park on September 14.

The year 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Lung Association’s movement to defeat lung cancer—LUNG FORCE. Through education, advocacy and research, LUNG FORCE is working to ensure that fewer people are diagnosed and those living with the disease live longer. In 2024, the American Lung Association is also celebrating 120 years of impact, since the organization’s founding in 1904.

“Thanks to all of our amazing volunteers, participants and LUNG FORCE Heroes, we are truly making an impact on lung cancer in New Jersey. We are so proud that here in New Jersey, the LUNG FORCE Walk has raised $954,349 to help end lung cancer and as we celebrate our 10th year, we are aiming to surpass the million dollar mark. Nationally, since 2014, LUNG FORCE has raised more than $30 million for lifesaving lung cancer research, expanding our research commitment by 286%,” said Erica Masin, Executive Director at the Lung Association.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths among people in the U.S. and someone is diagnosed with the disease about every two minutes. Here in New Jersey, more than 5,306 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024 alone. But there is hope! More people than ever are surviving lung cancer. The survival rate has increased by over 50% in the past decade.

LUNG FORCE Walk events are great for friends, family and company teams to come together to support people with lung disease and lung cancer, have fun and get some exercise. Joining a LUNG FORCE Walk supports the work of the American Lung Association 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.

The Lung Association encourages people across the region to get involved in the LUNG FORCE Walk in New Jersey. To learn more and register, visit LUNGFORCE.org/newjersey.

Thank you to our local LUNG FORCE Walk sponsors, including Hackensack Meridian and JAG Physical Therapy.

MEDIA MATERIALS AVAILABLE: The following media materials are available for your use:

• LUNG FORCE Walk New Jersey previous years
• LUNG FORCE Walk B-Roll