PJAF Races To Cure Lung Cancer - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

SALISBURY, Md. - As lung cancer patients race for more time, an Ocean City foundation runs for awareness and research.

Started by a man they know simply as PJ. 

"I wanted to try to figure out a way that no one else would have to go through what I've been through," said PJ Aldridge.    

PJ is a lung cancer survivor, first diagnosed in February 2010 with Stage 4 lung cancer.  According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the USA.  It causes more deaths than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.  After four separate doctors told him he had three months to live, PJ has been doing his part to fight back.   

"I didn't think that at my age I'd be buying lab rats.  Whatever, we do anything we can to try to figure [lung cancer] out."    

For one day in the fall, the foundation hosts a three-mile run.  Participants and volunteers paid homage to the PJ Aldridge Foundation.

"We're wearing pajamas for PJ," said Kelsey Hoch, an Alpha Sigma Tau sorority member.  "I'm wearing my onesie because I want to go all out.  I'm doing this for him, so I'm going to do everything I can just to show my spirit."    

It's that morale and support that keeps PJ fighting.     

"We should be so blessed and so thankful every morning that your feet hit the floor," said PJ Aldridge.