Help find a cure for lung cancer

November is a time to shine a light on lung cancer by lighting a Lung Foundation Australia lantern and taking part in a local community walk during Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Lung Foundation Australia acting chief executive officer Christa Bayer said Shine a Light was the organisation’s largest annual fundraiser, with walkers aiming to raise $175,000 for lung health this year.

“During November, we invite every Australian touched by lung cancer to join us for a Shine a Light Walk held in locations across the country.

“The community walks aim to raise awareness, break stigma, and provide a place of support to give hope and honour those we love.

“A lantern ceremony will be held at each location, where people will share, listen and take a moment to reflect.”

Ms Bayer said Lung Foundation Australia had been advocating for more than five years for a screening program that would help address the inequitable outcomes for Australia’s biggest cancer killer – lung cancer.

“While we can finally say we have achieved that goal, our work is far from over.

“This year alone, more than 14,529 Australian families will be touched by lung cancer.

“We know the lung cancer screening program will save thousands of lives. If Australians with lung cancer are diagnosed at Stage I, their five-year survival rate nears 70 per cent.

“However, this means we will need to concentrate on investment in Specialist Lung Cancer Nurses, and research dollars especially, which are areas where lung cancer is lagging well behind Australia’s other common cancers.”

For more than a decade, Lung Foundation Australia’s Shine a Light on Lung Cancer campaign has raised money to support ground-breaking lung cancer research.

There are several ways people can take part:

• Join a community walk
• Fundraise in the lead up to November, as Australians touched by lung cancer are invited to a Shine a Light Walk held in locations across the country.
• Start your own fundraising event., which could be a bake sale, personal challenge, or a gala dinner, or
• Donate to lifechanging research in support, honour, or memory of your loved one.

Lung Foundation Australia is encouraging all participants to register and raise funds to receive one of its three lanterns:

• Purple: I am remembering a loved one
• Orange: I am living with lung cancer, or
• Green: I am showing support for the lung cancer community.

If you’re not sure where to start, head to fundraise.lungfoundation.com.au/shinealightonlungcancer, phone free call 1800 654 301 (option 1) or email [email protected]