In 2020, the Give a Breath walk/run—led by Founder Tim Monds and his family—was held virtually for the first time. It succeeded in raising $30,545 in support of lung cancer research. For its third year, we are hoping to go even further!
https://www.royalalex.org/our-stories/post/third-annual-give-a-breath-5k-will-return-for-2021
Give a Breath 5k Presented by One Properties is proud to announce that we raised $30,495 at this years event! Funds will go towards early detection research for lung cancer at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in partnership with the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Are you asking the right questions when it comes to lung cancer?
It is the number one killer of all cancers, but also one of the least talked about. Lung cancer affects almost 30,000 Canadians every year. Lung Cancer Canada’s Tim Monds says during Lung Cancer Awareness month, people are being asked to “Stop Asking The Wrong Question.”
Global News Edmonton: http://globalnews.ca/video/7471171/are-you-asking-the-right-questions-when-it-comes-to-lung-cancer
Aaron Goodarzi, the Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease, shares more about radon exposure and how Canadians can keep themselves safe.
CTV Saskatoon: https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2074409&fbclid=IwAR1nDIK3znbgf8IYnG0yFM3ewlTj-VhycLBsNOVsFhNfL5jeTs53Kygwmuk
Radon Awareness
Aaron Goodarzi, the Canada Research Chair for Radiation Exposure Disease, shares more about radon exposure and how Canadians can keep themselves safe.
Global Winnipeg: https://globalnews.ca/video/7446371/radon-awareness?fbclid=IwAR2neEhXa91dqrRsvnuXgnf5t1zvD_jXYWNF33rGvYEMr5p5pf0r1QI89cw
Please see the article here:
Did you know that lung cancer kills over 29,800 Canadians a year?
That is significantly more Canadians than breast cancer (5000) colon cancer (9700) and prostrate cancer (4200) COMBINED?
While breast and prostrate cancer have 5 year survival rates of over 88%, the five year survival rate for lung cancer is a dire 19%. Even though lung cancer is the deadliest cancer by far, it only receives about 7% of all research funding.
Lung cancer suffers from the stigma that only smokers get cancer, but the numbers show a different story and this attached stigma is killing people when they do not have to die. Not only is it simply wrong to use that stigma to underfund lung cancer, assuming only smokers get cancer is just not true.
Over 20% of lung cancers are in non-smokers. Worse, while most other cancers are declining, the rate of lung cancer among non-smokers (particularly young, women non-smokers) is on the RISE. Non-smokers and former smokers make up over 55% of all lung cancers.
The good news is that research is saving lives! But we need your help.
WHAT CAN YOU DO:
1. Know the facts—IF YOU HAVE LUNGS YOU CAN GET LUNG CANCER
2. Almost 50% of lung cancer is detected at Stage 4 -- MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER
3. Most of all -- PLEASE DONATE TO THE LUNG CANCER INITIATIVES AT U OF C -- DONATIONS MAKE A REAL DFFERENCE
Registration is required. You can register in advance here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcuGopj4iGNbf7F23P2rwNBUjMb3QvNuN
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
According to Lung Cancer Canada estimated deaths for 2019 are as follows:
Breast: 5,100
Colorectal: 9,500
Prostate: 4,100
Total: 18,700
Alternatively Lung Cancer: 21,000
Diane Colton is chair of Calgary's "Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer" Gala and a lung cancer survivor. She attributes the recent 5-year survival rate rising from 17% to 19% due to the discovery of mutations with lung cancer and designed treatments for patients based on these mutations. Discoveries that are made possible with concentrated research.
Community members and volunteers are coming together to bring a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Gala to Calgary for Friday February 21st, 2020 at the Hellenic Community Hall - located at 1 Tamarac Cres. S.W.
A Cajun themed dinner, entertainment and dancing to the music of the Kimberlites will be included. There will be a Dando Dance ballroom demonstration and attendees will learn to Mambo!
Meet with lead researchers from the University of Calgary lung cancer survivors and experts on Radon. Research funding and action can find answers to the root causes and earlier diagnosis – which may extend both quality and length of life.
Meet former Stampeder Keon Raymond, and the University of Calgary's Dr. Don Morris, Dr. Gwyn Bebb, Aaron Goodarzi and Dr. Alain Tremblay who are some of the esteemed specialists and researchers on lung cancer.
A few years ago, Catherine Tkach went to her doctor for a mild dry cough that persisted. An active member on the planning committee to redevelop Garrison Woods, and an owner of a number of vintage apparel shops, she was given a chest X-ray. At her next doctor’s visit the shocking news that she had Stage 4 lung cancer, with no hope for survival and only 6 months to live was the message she received.
“Too many of us face this heart-stopping news. I am hoping that with our “Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer” event we can raise awareness and create funding for research so that earlier detection can save lives,” says Tkatch.
The event organizer, Diane Colton is another lung cancer survivor working with Tkatch and several volunteers to host the second-annual awareness-building event for Friday, February 21st. Colton says, “The University of Calgary is undertaking major initiatives - like early screeneing - which will enable people to be diagnosed at Stage 1 or 2 instead of the current reality of Stage 4 diagnosis and being given less than a year to live.”
Tkatch is now 20 months post diagnosis, credits her community of supporters, team of oncologists as well as doctors for her life-extending treatments and longevity thus far. It was her dream to inspire people with how she lived, now her desire is to inspire people with dignity, hope and even a little joy in the face of death.
She goes on to say, “When looking around for the faces of lung cancer, look at your son, your grand-parents, your fitness instructor, your friends, spouse or colleagues. Lung cancer is indiscriminate with victims.”
Contact:
Catherine Tkatch
403-805-3722
Diane Colton
unmaskinglungcancercalgary@gmail.com
403-801-5000
Global News - February 17 2020
"Unmasking the reality of lung cancer"
Lung cancer survivor Diane Colton and University of Calgary’s Dr. Don Morris join Global News Morning Calgary to discuss the increase in lung cancer diagnoses and what can be done to help fund research.
“22,000 people died in 2019 directly because of lung cancer and since this kills more people than breast, colon and colorectal cancer combined, there is a paramount need for research funding” says Diane Colton, one of the 19% of survivors who live beyond the 5-year mark. “Most will die within a year of being diagnosed.”
To raise funds and awareness, Colton and volunteers on the Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer committee invite Calgarians to a New Orleans style Mardi Gras Fundraising Gala on Friday February 21st, 2020 at Calgary’s Hellenic Community Hall
A Cajun themed dinner, entertainment and dancing to the music of the Kimberlites will be included. There will be a Dando Dance ballroom demonstration and attendees will learn to Mambo!
Meet with lead researchers from the University of Calgary and doctors who will be there alongside lung cancer survivors and their families. Research funding and action can find answers to the root causes and earlier diagnosis – which may extend both quality and length of life.
Special thanks to Sue Deyell, Morning Show Host at 770 CHQR, who will be MC for the evening. Special guests include former Stampeder Keon Raymond, Dr. Don Morris, Dr. Gwyn Bebb, Aaron Goodarzi and Dr. Alain Tremblay from the University of Calgary.
Tickets are $125/pp and available at http://bit.ly/MardiGrasGala2020
Help support lung cancer research and awareness by attending Calgary’s
Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer Mardi Gras Fundraising Gala
100% of funds raised will go to support research and the people affected.
2020 CTV Interviews Dr. Bebb and Diane Colton from "Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer"
CTV hosted Dr. Bebb and Diane Colton to inform Calgarians about the upcoming fund-raiser and Mardi Gras Gala.
Jan -23-2020
“Lung cancer has unfortunately touched people in our lives and we know this cause deserves more funding andattention,” says Ulrich Kuenz, owner and CEO at Great Events Catering. “We are thrilled to be the chosen caterer for “Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer” and in a position where we can provide an authentic Cajun experience for the attendees to make a difference in our community.”
Great Events has been awarded “Best Event Produced by a Venue in Alberta” and “Best Catered Event in Alberta.”
Chef Daryl Kerr and his team at Great Events will be providing:
There will be an array of tantalizing desserts for the buffet-styled dinner that will be served at “Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer” on Friday, February 21st, 2020 at the Hellenic Hall
Tickets to “Unmasking the Reality of Lung Cancer” are $125/pp and available at
http://bit.ly/MardiGrasGala2020
Contact:
Walter Tomandl
403-256-7150
Diane Colton
unmaskinglungcancercalgary@gmail.com
403-801-500
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