Linda Wenger
lwenger@LUNGevity.org
(973) 449-3214
WASHINGTON, DC (October 23, 2020) — LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s leading lung cancer-focused nonprofit organization, announced today the launch of the LUNGevity Action Network, a new engagement program that enables lung cancer advocacy at many levels. The Action Network empowers advocates to engage in awareness and policy actions to help drive change and improve lives and outcomes of those affected by the disease.
Lung cancer is a historically stigmatized and underfunded disease. The lung cancer community needs a powerful and unified way to bring about change. Those who sign up to be members of the Action Network will be offered two avenues for action. Through awareness-related actions, members can help educate, engage, and empower their community by sharing their personal story, creating and posting important information on social media, and distributing educational materials locally to spread facts and information about lung cancer. Through policy-related actions, members can make their voices heard on issues that affect the lung cancer community by taking actions such as writing their congressmen, signing petitions, and commenting on new regulations.
The LUNGevity Action Network will serve to amplify LUNGevity’s ongoing policy work. In February 2020, LUNGevity released the Lung Cancer Scorecard, a state-by-state analysis comparing access to screening, comprehensive biomarker testing, and clinical trials to uncover disparities in lung cancer patient care based on location, and to offer viable solutions to achieve healthcare equity. This report laid out specific areas that need to be addressed to improve care in each state. With the Action Network, there will be opportunities for advocates to easily advocate for solutions, such as advocating for improved Medicaid coverage for services, giving LUNGevity’s efforts a deeper impact.
“This launch is very timely, as the importance of health policy has never been more evident than during the COVID-19 public health crisis,” says Kristen Santiago, Senior Director of Public Policy Initiatives at LUNGevity. “There are so many people who are looking to get involved with lung cancer advocacy but have no idea where to start. The LUNGevity Action Network not only gives them a starting point, but also provides all the tools they need to be successful and have an impact. It’s never been so easy or so important to use your voice to support the lung cancer community.”
The Action Network will also make it easier for those interested in helping to spread awareness in their communities about lung cancer. Members will receive a roadmap on how best to have an impact, including specific actions that help keep advocates motivated and on track to be successful.
“LUNGevity has long been advocating for increased awareness of lung cancer and those living with the disease. We encourage those impacted to speak out about issues that they face and to help change policies that might be negatively affecting them,” says Andrea Ferris, President and CEO of LUNGevity Foundation. “This new program will help us unite and activate our already engaged community and reach out to more people to make a tangible, impactful difference on these issues and further spread awareness about the disease.”
Anyone can quickly and easily register to join the LUNGevity Action Network. After signing up, they will have access to new training, tools, and resources as they become available to amplify their voice and impact. Whether someone is focused on policy, raising awareness, or both, everything they need to be a successful advocate will be accessible, easy to use, and delivered right to their inbox.
Registrants can also sign up to receive emails and alerts from LUNGevity when issues of interest or new legislation or policies need support. The LUNGevity Action Network allows each advocate to get as involved as they like – there is something for everyone.
More information and a registration page for those interested in joining is available at www.LUNGevity.org/LAN.
About LUNGevity Foundation
LUNGevity Foundation is the nation’s leading lung cancer organization focused on improving outcomes for people with lung cancer through research, policy initiatives, education, support, and engagement for patients, survivors, and caregivers. LUNGevity seeks to make an immediate impact on quality of life and survivorship for everyone touched by the disease—while promoting health equity by addressing disparities throughout the care continuum. LUNGevity works tirelessly to advance research into early detection and more effective treatments, provide information and educational tools to empower patients and their caregivers, promote impactful public policy initiatives, and amplify the patient voice through research and engagement. The organization provides an active community for patients and survivors—and those who help them live longer and better lives.
Comprehensive resources include a medically vetted and patient-centric website, a toll-free HELPLine for support, the International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference, and an easy-to-use Clinical Trial Finder, among other tools. All of these programs are to achieve our vision—a world where no one dies of lung cancer. LUNGevity Foundation is proud to be a four-star Charity Navigator organization.
Please visit www.LUNGevity.org to learn more.
About Lung Cancer in the U.S.
- About 1 in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime
- More than 228,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year
- About 60%-65% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers
- Lung cancer takes more lives than the next three leading cancers (colorectal, breast, and prostate) combined
- Only 21% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance of 5-year survival improves dramatically