BREATHE DEEP L.A. RAISES FUNDS FOR NATION’S NUMBER-ONE CANCER KILLER

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – More shocking words had never been heard by the Riddle family. Their 18-year-old daughter Adriane, a water polo player at San Jose State, had just been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Her chances of survival were only 15%.

Adriane had never smoked a day in her life.

Alison Riddle, Adriane’s sister, shares, “She was in top physical condition. My mother looked at me and said ‘This can’t be’.”

In fact, about 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers. Also, while lung cancer is the number-one cancer killer in the U.S. -- accounting for 27% of all cancer deaths -- less than 5% of federal dollars spent on cancer research are spent on lung cancer research.

Alison is committed to changing these statistics.

Since losing her sister eight years ago, she has spent countless hours as a volunteer for LUNGevity Foundation, one of the nation’s largest private funders of lung cancer research. During the day, she works as a pharmaceutical sales rep for the company that manufactured the drug her sister used during her battle with lung cancer.

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, Alison will participate in Breathe Deep L.A., a 3-mile walk in Manhattan Beach to raise funds for cancer research. It is one of more than 40 events taking place around the country this Fall to benefit LUNGevity Foundation, and bring attention to the need for more research funding.

LUNGevity Foundation’s goal is to save the lives of the 222,520 Americans newly diagnosed with lung cancer each year, 84 percent of whom will die within five years without the development of new treatment methods.

Proceeds from Breathe Deep L.A. will support two specific research tracks: expediting the development of an effective early detection strategy to find all lung cancers while they are still localized and treatable, and identifying therapeutic agents that provide customized genetic intervention for lung cancer.

“My sister’s chances of survival would have been greatly increased had we known about it much earlier”, says Alison.

When not concentrating on her crusade against lung cancer, Alison dedicates her time to saving lives as part-time L.A. County Lifeguard. A former U.S.C. Division I water polo player, Alison also works out regularly and is an avid stand up paddler.

“Anything I do is obviously inspired by my sister,” says Alison.

The 4th annual Breathe Deep L.A. will kick off at the Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2011, with proceeds from the event benefiting LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s leading private supporter of lung cancer research.

This 3-mile walk and fun run is a stroller-friendly, wheelchair-friendly event. Awards will be given to the top 2 fundraising teams and top 2 fundraising individuals. Gift certificates and prizes will be given away as part of the fun, and all walkers will receive a LUNGevity t-shirt. Check-in/registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.

To register or donate, visit www.lungevity.org/losangeles

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About LUNGevity Foundation:

The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful and immediate 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.

In order to accomplish our mission, LUNGevity funds the most promising research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer as identified by leading scientists. LUNGevity also supports the largest national grassroots lung cancer network. We hope to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.

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Contact:

Livia Squires
Squires Public Relations
10866 Washington Blvd #346
Culver City, CA 90232
(323) 375 - 4890
contact@squirespr.com
www.squirespr.com

This release was published on openPR.