LUNGevityWhat does taking a deep breath mean to you?  It could offer you a chance to relax, gain some peace of mind, fill your lungs with fresh air, and be thankful for all of life’s blessings.  There’s a place you can do that while supporting a tremendous organization dedicated to helping individuals with lung cancer reach for a breath, and for hope.

Breathe Deep DC, LUNGevity’s annual community walk on the National Mall, is set for November 1st.  Anyone can participate and can register right up to the day of the walk.  Pets are welcome too.  They even get their own “Fur a Cure” shirt!

The event was originally developed by lung cancer survivor and Bethesda father of two, Jerry Sorkin, when he realized that there were no DC events that brought together lung cancer survivors and raised awareness of the disease.  Now, thousands of people affected by lung cancer from all walks of life come together with friends, family, volunteers, and advocates all with one common goal: to improve survivorship, quality of life, and to ultimately make lung cancer a manageable disease.

LUNGevity has spent every year of Breathe Deep DC focusing on raising awareness of lung cancer and celebrating the great progress that has been made against the disease.  But there is still a great deal of work to be done – and by participating in walks and donating, people across the nation can help LUNGevity create a world where no one dies of lung cancer.

LUNGevity is the largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofit, and it has changed the lives of the lung cancer community through research, education, and support.  Breathe Deep DC is one of LUNGevity’s signature events with counterpart walks in other cities across the nation.

Last year, LUNGevity launched a new website that features a Lung Cancer 101 section, event advertisements, links to blogs, expert resources, and offers opportunities for people to connect and share their own stories.  The site empowers and inspires people to stand up and make a difference.

Listen to a few voices from LUNGevity supporters:

“LUNGevity is about survivors, hope and networking. The people with this organization have changed my crazy life forever.  I found a network of lung cancer survivors who have given me so much inspiration to get out and advocate for lung cancer.” – Beth S.

“Everything that LUNGevity does is to lift us up and inspire us as survivors.  They do their jobs so well.” – Jessica S.

“Together we are so much stronger than just one of us alone.” – Gail L.

SDI has been proud to support LUNGevity’s walks nationwide and its passion to eradicate this disease while bringing hope to generations of individuals living with lung cancer.  Every breath is a gift.  SDI is honored to witness firsthand how LUNGevity is changing the national lung cancer conversation, one step at a time.

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By Julie St. John Haupin, SDI

October 21, 2015