White flag devices will be set up in many places across the country, including 60,000 white flags placed in National Square, to commemorate the deceased and to promote actions in lung cancer screening, research, and access to medical care.

Washington, October 29th / PRNewswire / -- LUNGevity Foundation announces that a nationwide campaign titled “Every Breath Forward ℠” will be launched in November this year to commemorate those who have passed away from lung cancer and to unite communities across the country to promote progress and improve the lives of patients. During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, white flag installations throughout the United States will bring people together to support those affected by this disease and to combat the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country.

Exhibition events in Washington, D.C., and several cities across the United States will highlight advancements in nursing care, and call for continued investment in research, expanded lung cancer screening opportunities, and ensuring that more people in need of treatment can receive it.

The core of this event is to set up 60,000 white flags in National Square on November 1st. Volunteers will plant these flags, followed by a gathering for survivors to pay tribute to them and to call for increased public awareness and stronger research efforts. Each flag represents two of the more than 120,000 people in the United States who die from lung cancer each year.

Advances in early detection, precision medicine, and treatment are helping lung cancer patients live longer and better lives. Every Breath Forward calls for increased investment so that more people can benefit from these advancements.

"Each flag represents a person who has been loved, as well as a family whose life has been changed by lung cancer," said Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. "Advances in early detection and treatment give us every reason to hold hope, and also place a clear responsibility on us to continue to push forward. Every Breath Forward provides a way for everyone to remember those we have lost, to support those who are fighting lung cancer, and to help advocate for the research and medical accessibility needed to save more lives."

From National Square to communities across the United States

LUNGevity will hold a press conference at National Square on November 10th at 10 a.m., bringing together policy makers, survivors, advocates, researchers, and medical experts. Participants will call for continued federal funding for research, expansion of lung cancer screening and early detection programs, as well as equal access to advances in healthcare.

In addition, the following cities also plan to hold public white flag installation events:

• Denver, Colorado: In collaboration with The White Ribbon Project and CU Anschutz Cancer Center, November 1st
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana: In collaboration with American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative ( ALCSI ), November 5th
• Jackson, Mississippi: In collaboration with Mississippi Lung Cancer Roundtable, November 6th
• Tampa, Florida: In collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center, November 7th
• Raleigh, North Carolina: In collaboration with Lung Cancer Initiative, November 8th
• Boston, Massachusetts: November 11th
• San Francisco, California: In collaboration with GO2, for, and Lung Cancer, November 14th

More than 80 branches under American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative ( ALCSI ) will also raise flags on university campuses and in communities across the country, bringing this initiative to more people and encouraging everyone to engage in discussions around early detection.

"Screening helps to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage, and treatment may be more effective at that time," said Timothy Hwang, Executive Director of American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. "Our branch is taking advantage of these events to help people understand who may qualify for screening and to encourage them to discuss it with their families and medical professionals."

Actions that everyone can participate in

Throughout November, people across the United States will be able to participate in Every Breath Forward in their local areas.

Individuals and families can display their own Every Breath Forward in their yards, communities, workplaces, and local areas to commemorate loved ones and express support for lung cancer patients.

People can also pay their respects online to those affected by lung cancer, sign up to volunteer in activities in their cities, visit the sites in person, or share photos and stories on social media. Inviting friends, family, and colleagues to join will help spread this initiative to more communities.

Every act of tribute, every display, and every form of participation helps to commemorate life, enhance support for the lung cancer community, and promote ongoing public support for related advancements.

For information on event locations, to sign up for volunteer services, to pay tribute online, or to learn about other ways to participate, please visit EveryBreathForward.org.

LUNGevity Foundation Introduction

LUNGevity Foundation is changing people's understanding of lung cancer diagnosis and lifestyle. While many organizations focus only on one aspect of lung cancer, LUNGevity carries out research, advocacy, and patient support simultaneously, because sustained progress requires connecting these three aspects together.

As the largest non-profit funding organization for lung cancer research in the United States, LUNGevity promotes early detection, more effective treatments, and the development of the next generation of researchers. We provide scientifically validated information, resources, and community support for lung cancer patients and their caregivers, and advocate for policies that help improve access to screening, biomarker testing, treatment, and high-quality care.

By connecting scientific discoveries, patient experiences, and advocacy efforts, we help to ensure that research reflects the needs of patients, that breakthroughs benefit those in need, and that the voices of patients drive meaningful change.

Our vision is: to ensure that no one in the world dies from lung cancer anymore.

For more information, please visit www.LUNGevity.org.

Lung cancer situation in the United States

Approximately one in every 19 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in their lifetime.

This year, more than 229,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with lung cancer, with an average of one new diagnosis every 2.3 minutes.

It is estimated that nearly 65% of new lung cancer diagnoses occur in individuals with no tobacco exposure or only past tobacco exposure.

The number of people who die from lung cancer is higher than the combined total of deaths from the other two most fatal cancers: colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer.