Running Lungs: mid-July race aims to blow lung cancer away
Take part in the 3rd Annual Running Lungs benefit race, set for Saturday, July 15th! The event will go on rain or shine beginning at 9:30am in Lindley Park. The morning will include 10K, 5K Run/Walk, and 2K Fun Run course options. Race timing will be provided by Muddy Dog Sports. Snacks and beverages will be available by Cafe M. Race registration is $35 for the 10K and 5K, while the 2K is $15. Log on to www.raceentry.com and search for ‘Running Lungs’ to register.
Lung cancer is NOT just a smoker’s disease. Presented by Wortman Lung Cancer Foundation, proceeds from this race will support lung health and lung cancer research at Mayo Clinic. Race participants will additionally support the foundation’s objectives to support research needed to obtain breakthrough discoveries, remove the stigma associated with lung cancer, and help create an awareness of the amazing cures when properly diagnosed and treated.
Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer, taking more lives than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. Every 2.5 minutes, another person is diagnosed with Lung Cancer — 20% never smoked, and 40% are non-smokers. The numbers are pretty surprising.
But there’s hope.
Linda Wortman, a healthy never-smoker, was shockingly diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. After successful emergency surgery at Mayo Clinic, Linda battled through, and now is on a mission to break the stigma that lung cancer is only for smokers, while increasing awareness through Running Lungs events to raise desperately needed research funds for lung cancer. With most of her left lung missing, Linda completed a 5k race in all 50 states, completed a 10K race on four continents, and summited Kilimanjaro, the largest mountain in Africa and fourth tallest peak in the world.
Most recently, Linda and husband Jerry co-founded Wortman Lung Cancer Foundation 501(c)(3) and Running Lungs Run/Walk events. As oncologists and donors point out, low funding levels for lung cancer are a negative cycle that results in fewer scientists focusing on needed solutions. Lung cancer is the least-researched major cancer due to unfair stigma.
It’s time to blow lung cancer away.
Learn more about Linda and Jerry’s work at www.wortmanlungcancerfoundation.org. •