UK Hosting Free to Breathe Lung Cancer Walk Nov. 10

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2012) -- The University of Kentucky will host the second annual Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Nov.  10.

Registration for the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Commonwealth Stadium between gates three and four, 1540 University Drive on the UK campus. The 5K run will begin at 10 a.m. In addition to the 5K run/walk there will also be a one-mile walk option. The 5K walk and one-mile walk will begin at 10:03 a.m. There will also be rally and fundraising awards and warm-up stretches before the run/walk begins.

The event will feature remarks from cancer survivors Phyllis Alexander and Lois Dee, and the UK Markey Cancer Center's Dr. Susanne Arnold will also speak as part of the program.

Lung cancer claims more American lives than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined and Kentucky leads the nation in lung cancer mortality.  The National Lung Cancer Partnership organizes Free to Breathe events to combat this statistic. It is the only lung cancer advocacy organization founded by physicians and researchers who work together with survivors and advocates to increase lung cancer awareness and research funding. Free to Breathe events raise public awareness of lung cancer in communities across the nation, and the proceeds support vital lung cancer research, public awareness and education programs.

"Free to Breathe is about putting one foot in front of the other to create change in the lives of those impacted by lung cancer," said Lisa Maggio, a UK doctoral nursing student and co-chair of the Free to Breathe walk. "I encourage everyone in Lexington to join this movement that will help bring the attention and funding to lung cancer that it desperately needs."

For more information, or to register or donate, visit the website Free to Breathe Lexington or the Facebook page facebook.com/FreetoBreatheLex.

For other general questions, contact event chairs Gina Kinsella, ginakinsella@yahoo.com, or Lisa Maggio, lisa.maggio@gmail.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Allison Perry, allison.perry@uky.edu or (859) 323-2399