Charleston Community Raises More Than $117K To Help End Lung Cancer at Annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk at Folly Beach

This morning, more than 350 people from across the Charleston area headed to Folly Beach County Park to stomp out lung cancer at the American Lung Association in South Carolina’s annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk, presented by Atlantic Respiratory Services. Participants raised more than $117,000 this year to fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, surpassing the goal of $100,000.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the LUNG FORCE initiative in Charleston, which unites those impacted by lung cancer and their caregivers to stand together against lung cancer. Money raised from the event supports the American Lung Association’s efforts to save lives through research, education and advocacy here in South Carolina and beyond.

“For the past ten years, the Charleston community has rallied at our LUNG FORCE Run/Walk to make a difference in the lives of people facing lung disease and lung cancer,” said Margaret Ann Youngs, development director of the Lung Association in South Carolina. “This morning was filled with celebration and hope. Thank you to our participants, volunteers, sponsors and LUNG FORCE Heroes who came together today to raise awareness and critical funding to find a cure for lung cancer and save lives. Because when you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.”

More than 102,000 people in the Charleston area suffer from lung disease, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. In South Carolina, it is estimated that more than 4,600 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and nearly 2,600 people will die from the disease.

However, there is hope. More people in the U.S. than ever are surviving lung cancer. The survival rate has increased by nearly 40 percent 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.

Thank you to our local LUNG FORCE Run/Walk sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Atlantic Respiratory Services, Champion of Breath Sponsor Gilchrist/Bissell Wealth Management of Raymond James, Trident Health, Circulogene, The Crab Shacks, PBI Products and Veracyte. Thank you to our national corporate team partner, Kindred Hospitals.

For more information about the event and to donate, visit LUNGFORCE.org/Charleston.