Breathe Easier and Make A Difference

[Patrick O'Brien]

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with Eric Gray the Executive Director of The American Lung Association of Florida – Central Area. I was not only excited to talk to Eric and learn about programs and services that his organization offers to our community, but also because November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Five Years ago I started learning more about lung cancer and lung health when I participated in the Race for Breath, a 5K race my friend from high school organized after her mother passed away from the disease. Two years later lung cancer became an even bigger issue in my life.

Very shortly after my wedding, my wife’s uncle passed away from the disease and a few weeks later, my seemingly healthy aunt was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer. Less than four months after her diagnosis, my aunt Alice lost her battle to the disease. It was then that I learned just how abruptly lung cancer can change your life.

The American Lung Association’s mission is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health through education programs in schools and hospitals, legislative advocacy programs and through research funding. They concentrate on five areas: Tobacco Control, Asthma, Clean Air Issues, Lung Cancer, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – this includes emphysema & chronic bronchitis

Lung health issues do not only affect smokers, but can affect people who are around second hand smoke. The Association was successful in getting a smoking ban passed in Central Florida back in June of 2003. They have also been instrumental in getting funding in the state of Florida increased for tobacco related education. In 2005, Florida spent $1 million in tobacco education. That number has now increased to over $58 million.

So what can you do? You can easily become a member of the Association by making a financial donation. The American Lung Association is also the oldest volunteer healthcare organization in the United States, dating back to 1904, so there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer for their events and sensation & prevention programs. The easiest way for people who are really interested in lung disease public policy issues is to sign up for The Lung Action Network. This will help you learn about different legislation that is coming up, the ability to get involved in a local rally or to volunteer on a committee to fight a specific issue.

If you are looking for a fun way to help raise money & awareness for lung cancer while getting in a little exercise, you can also participate this Saturday, November 8th in Climb Orlando at the Bank of America Center downtown. For more information on this event, please visit www.climbingforlungcancer.com.

Smoking levels have decreased since the World War II era, but alarmingly the biggest increases are coming in the youth population. The average age for people to start smoking in the state of Florida is 14 years old. This is an alarming statistic especially since smokers have a 1 in 10 chance of developing lung cancer. So when you are at a party and there are 20 people huddled outside smoking, 2 of you will most likely end up fighting lung cancer. At the end of the day, is it really worth the risk?

Currently there are no clear cut early detection methods for lung cancer similar to those for other types of cancer like Breast Cancer. In speaking with Eric, I was excited to learn that they hope to have accurate early detection methods in the next year or two.

My aunt Alice was the picture of good health. She exercised daily, ate healthy and had not smoked in over 20 years. At our wedding she was one of the last couples dancing during the century dance. A few months later she had trouble walking, a few weeks after that she became bed ridden and shortly after she lost her fight. I hope that no one reading this will ever have to experience the same thing and I urge you to learn more about the disease and prevention.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness month, lets work together to help prevent this disease in the future.

Patrick O’Brien

For more information visit
www.lungfla.org
www.lungaction.org
407-425-5864

For Information on Climb Orlando
November 8th
www.climbingforlungcancer.com