Free to Breathe Yogathon March 25 to fight Lung Cancer

From Baltimore to Dallas to Los Angeles, Free to Breathe event participants across the country will walk, run, stretch and tee off this year to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by lung cancer through the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s research, education and awareness programs. LA-area residents will have their chance to join the movement at the Free to Breathe Los Angeles Yogathon on March 25 at the Women’s Club of Hollywood.



The yogathon will rally the community to create change and help defeat lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death of men and women in California. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 18,060 Californians will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and approximately 12,830 Californians will lose their lives to the disease this year.



Despite the fact that lung cancer takes the lives of nearly 160,000 Americans each year, lung cancer research is woefully underfunded compared with other major cancers, which has slowed the development of new treatments. In response, Free to Breathe® supporters and participants are creating communities of hope by raising awareness of the disease and funds which can fuel advances in detection and treatment, and ultimately save lives.



“Free to Breathe is about putting one foot in front of the other to create change in the lives of those impacted by lung cancer,” said Stephanie Gatschet, Burbank, Calif. “I encourage everyone in LA to join this movement that will help bring the attention and funding to lung cancer that it desperately needs.”



The National Lung Cancer Partnership started the Free to Breathe event series with a single 5K run and walk in Philadelphia in 2006. Since then, the event series has raised more than $5.6 million with 100 percent of the net proceeds dedicated to making a difference for everyone affected by lung cancer and to directly funding programs of change. In 2012, 40 events across the country will unite thousands of families, friends, neighbors and coworkers, bringing hope to those touched by this deadly disease.



Those who aren’t able to participate in a local event can join the National Walk Week – “Your Walk, Your Way, Your Day” – from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9. Supporters can gather on sidewalks in their neighborhoods, nearby parks or on streets throughout their town to walk in spirit with others across the country who’ve joined the movement to defeat lung cancer.


To register, donate, sponsor or volunteer for a Free to Breathe® event, please visit www.FreetoBreathe.org.