Buffalo Grove targets rising death rate for women from lung cancer

In an effort in which Maureen Welborn, the unofficial queen of Buffalo Grove, was prominent, volunteers tied ribbons on trees and mailboxes throughout the village for the Lung Force Turquoise Takeover last week. The purpose was to increase awareness of lung cancer in women.

Buffalo Grove Village Board this week noted Welborn's efforts and proclaimed May 10-16 as Women's Lung Health Week. Every eight minutes a woman in the United States loses her battle with lung cancer, which causes more deaths than any other type of cancer for women. The death rate for lung cancer in women has almost doubled in the past 38 years, according to the proclamation.

Lung Force, an initiative led by the American Lung Association, encourages women to stand together to lead the fight against lung cancer and to promote lung health.