Victoria Shapiro
[email protected]
(202) 414-0774
WASHINGTON (November 8, 2012) – LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, and Take Aim at Cancer, a leading supporter of targeted therapy-focused lung cancer research and education, have agreed to collaborate to drive funding for lung cancer research and elevate awareness about the nation’s number one cancer killer.
The two lung cancer nonprofits are joining together initially to hold a series of fundraising and awareness events beginning this November, Lung Cancer Awareness month. Jeff Wigbels, chairman and founder of Take Aim at Cancer, said, “The collaborative effort with LUNGevity Foundation will enable us to accelerate the much needed funding of world-class research that could greatly advance today’s standard-of-care treatment for lung cancer patients.” Wigbels, a never-smoker, is a Stage IV lung cancer survivor and ardent advocate for targeted therapy.
The organizations have come together to productively leverage their joint resources to accelerate progress in the fight against lung cancer and, in doing so, provide hope, education and inspiration for patients and families.
Andrea Ferris, president of LUNGevity Foundation, said, “We are thrilled to team up with Take Aim at Cancer to support critically-needed research and create hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for all patients. Jeff is an inspiration and testament to the promise of new treatment models like targeted therapy for lung cancer patients.”
About LUNGevity Foundation
The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer. It does so by supporting critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as by providing information, resources and a support community to patients and caregivers.
LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.
About Take Aim at Cancer
Take Aim at Cancer was founded in January 2010 by Jeff Wigbels. Take Aim at Cancer is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization benefitting targeted therapy and lung cancer research. In May 2010, Wigbels was the recipient of MD Anderson’s “Making Cancer History” Award. Take Aim at Cancer’s mission is to raise critical funding for increased research, scientific collaboration and awareness of targeted cancer therapy, so that more people who are battling cancer can have the opportunity for this ground-breaking, personalized treatment and the chance for a brighter future. For more information, please visitwww.TakeAimAtCancer.org
About Lung Cancer
- 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity
- Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer
- About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers
- Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves dramatically