Friday, November 04, 2011

CHICAGO, IL (November 1, 2011) - During Lung Cancer Awareness month (November), The American Lung Association in Greater Chicago seeks to erase the stigma associated with lung cancer during their No One Deserves Lung Cancer campaign. Dozens of volunteers will disseminate thousands of posters and flyers throughout Chicago's Loop to encourage conversation about the disease.

"The first question many people with lung cancer are asked is 'did you smoke?', " explains Meghan Miller, Executive Director of the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago. "The reality is that there are smokers and nonsmokers with lung cancer. There are Individuals who quit smoking 20 years ago that are now facing the diagnosis of lung cancer. It doesn't matter how the disease formed in their bodies; what matters is that they are treated with compassion and have hope for a cure."

Through public awareness, the campaign hopes to bring to light the stigma many Americans hold against lung cancer patients. Many feel that the causal link between smoking and lung cancer means that the person has brought the disease on themselves. Perhaps as a result, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in the United States and is underfunded by hundreds of millions of dollars as compared to its cancer counterparts.

"We hope this campaign will encourage the public to rethink how they view lung cancer," continues Miller. "It is imperative that we continue developing new and better ways to prevent, diagnosis and treat this disease."

Those interested in helping to fight the stigma, learning more about lung cancer or chatting live with a Lung HelpLine professional can visit ChicagoFightsLungCancer.org.

About the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago: Our mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungil.org.

###

Katie Lorenz

American Lung Association in Greater Chicago

Chicago, IL

312-445-2513

First Url: ChicagoFightsLungCancer.org

Second Url: American Lung Association in Greater Chicago