KCSP, Markey Cancer Center Kick Off Lung Cancer Awareness Month
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 1, 2013) − To raise awareness about lung cancer prevention and treatment, the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy (KCSP) at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, in conjunction with the Markey Cancer Center, will kick off National Lung Cancer Awareness Month with a 'Love Your Lungs' Facebook contest and prize giveaways.
On Monday, Nov. 4, Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Friday, Nov. 8, a question about lung cancer will be posted on the KCSP Facebook page. Post an answer to the question or comment for a chance to win a prize pack provided each day by UK HealthCare. On Friday, Nov. 8, a larger prize basket will be awarded to the winner.
To enter the contest, go to kysmokefree on Facebook and comment on the post for that day. The winner will be announced on Facebook at 7 p.m. each day.
In addition to the ‘Love Your Lungs’ Facebook contest, three other events are planned throughout the month of November. The 3rd Annual Free to Breathe Lexington Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk, sponsored by the National Lung Cancer Partnership, will be held on Nov. 16 at Commonwealth Stadium. The Tobacco-free Tailgate on Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be held in the Rose Street Walkway to celebrate the 4th anniversary of UK's Tobacco-free Policy. The stories related to tobacco in Kentucky have been captured by NPR’s StoryCorps. From Nov. 16 through April 2014, WUKY will air stories told by Kentuckians every Thursday morning and evening. More information on these events will soon follow.
Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the United States. Kentucky leads the nation in new cases and deaths from lung cancer. More people die from lung cancer than any other cancer. The leading causes of lung cancer are smoking, radon exposure and exposure to secondhand smoke.
The Markey Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Kentucky and one of only a handful in the nation. For more information, visit http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/markey/.
KCSP provides rural and urban communities across Kentucky with science-based strategies for advancing smoke-free policies on the local level and educating citizens and policymakers about the importance of smoke-free environments. For more information about KCSP, visit www.kcsp.uky.edu. Follow us on twitter and Facebook at kysmokefree.
Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu