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Emory University Receives Largest Private Donation in Georgia History to Fund Lung Cancer Research

Posted on: Tuesday, 9 January 2007, 12:01 CST

ATLANTA, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the largest donation from a single event to benefit lung cancer research in Georgia was provided to Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta. The $130,000 gift was made possible by the inaugural Every Breath You Take Golf Tournament, which was founded and organized by lung cancer survivor Tammy Willett and the Georgia Chapter of Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA-GA). The donation will fund research in the field of lung cancer, the nation's leading cancer killer.

"As a survivor, I am keenly aware of how this disease has been so stigmatized and neglected," said Willett. "That is why I felt compelled to put together this important event. Increased research funding is absolutely critical to finding better treatment options and I am proud of what we have achieved this year to help those impacted by this disease."

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death nationwide and in Georgia, contributes to 30 percent of all cancer deaths. This year alone, 6,260 Georgians will be diagnosed with lung cancer -- 4,790 will die from this disease. That is more than breast, prostate, colon, kidney, and skin cancers combined. Moreover, the majority of those now being diagnosed with lung cancer quit smoking decades ago or never smoked at all. Yet lung cancer research funding and support for early detection has lagged far behind all other major cancers.

"This is an historic moment for Georgia's lung cancer community, as this kind of donation has never been received anywhere else in the state", said Ed Levitt, LCA-GA chapter director. "This sets the stage for future public and private collaboration to secure the necessary resources to address lung cancer with compassion and support, as is done with every other major disease. We have put lung cancer on the map in Georgia."

The gift was presented to Dr. Fadlo Khuri, Chief of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Winship Cancer Institute, and Deputy Director for Clinical and Translational Research. The funds will be directed exclusively to Dr. Khuri's lung cancer research.

Lung Cancer Alliance (http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/) is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for the lung cancer community. LCA's mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

Lung Cancer Alliance

CONTACT: Ed Levitt of Lung Cancer Alliance, +1-404-242-7414, ore.levitt@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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