Lung cancer walk Sunday at Hamburger U

The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago will host its LUNG FORCE Walk this weekend to support a nationwide initiative against lung cancer and for lung health.

The walk begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, at McDonald's Hamburger University, 2715 Jorie Blvd., Oak Brook. The event aims to make a difference for lung cancer detection, research and cures.

Walkers can choose either the 5K walk or the one-mile distance to raise awareness for lung cancer, particularly awareness about the high rate of lung cancer in women.

"Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of women in America, but alarmingly few women see lung cancer as a threat to them," said Kristen Young, executive director of the Lung Association in Greater Chicago.

"What few people know is that lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as a cause of women's death in 1987. This has to change as soon as possible. This walk is an opportunity to rally our friends, neighbors and colleagues to raise our voices against lung cancer and for lung health for everyone."

According to the Lung Association's first Women's Lung Health Barometer, a survey of more than 1,000 American women, current awareness about the impact of lung cancer in women is extremely low. Even though lung cancer has long been the top cancer killer of women, the barometer revealed that only 1 percent of women named the disease as a cancer that is top-of-mind for them.

Furthermore, statistics show that, on average, fewer than half of all women with lung cancer will be alive one year after diagnosis. And anyone can get lung cancer - two-thirds of lung cancer cases are in those who have never smoked or have successfully quit smoking.

"As a lung cancer survivor, I'm a LUNG FORCE Hero. Even more startling, however, are the number of women who get lung cancer and never smoked a day in their lives," said Martha Swierczewski, who will walk at the event.

"After having this disease, I have come to know numerous people, especially women, who never smoked and are diagnosed with lung cancer," Swierczewski added.

LUNG FORCE Heroes have been or are currently affected by lung cancer and have chosen to share their story in hopes of spreading awareness around about lung disease, particularly lung cancer, in women.

The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago offers resources for individuals and families impacted by lung cancer. For information or to join the walk, visit lungforce.org or call the Lung Helpline at (800) LUNG-USA, which connects callers to information, resources and support services.