Supporting The Movement To Defeat Lung Cancer - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

LEWES, Del. - Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in America. It's why dozens pound the pavement this weekend in Lewes to raise awareness. Next Sunday, August 12, Free to Breathe Delmarva hosts their 3rd annual Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk. All proceeds benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership's research, education and awareness programs.

Cindy Westhoff and her family are joining the movement to defeat a deadly disease. In 2011, Cindy's aunt, Mary Brinsfield, was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. "It's very scary to look into all of the facts about lung cancer because lung cancer is the deadliest of all other cancers combined, yet it is the least funded," she said.

After surgery, chemo, radiation therapy, and the support of family and friends, Mary was able to conquer the disease. She and her family are now raising awareness in this year's Free to Breathe Delmarva Lung Cancer 5K. "She finished her chemo and radiation just before the start of last year's race, and that time she was not healthy enough to join us. She's now cancer free and she will be with us at this year's event," Westhoff said.

Cindy says the race is not just about raising money, it's about educating people about the importance of healthy lungs. "A lot of people believe that lung cancer happens to people who smoke. And yes, Aunt Mary was a smoker, but she had been smoke free for more than 25 years. It's not just people who are still smoking that are getting this disease. You don't have to ever have smoked and you can still be diagnosed with lung cancer," she said.

Be sure to come out and show your support for Mary and many others fighting this disease. Registration and check-in begins at 6:30 AM at Cape Henlopen High School.

WMDT's Jemie Lee will emcee the event this year. Guest speaker Greta Kreuz - a long-time reporter for WJLA ABC7 in Washington D.C. is also coming out to show her support. She was diagnosed and treated for stage 1 lung cancer earlier this year.

Online registration closes this Wednesday, August 8. It's $20 to pre-register online and $25 if you register the day of the event. For more information and to register, go to www.freetobreathe.org/delmarva.