Lung cancer is a leader among cancer deaths, with more than 430 lives lost to this devastating disease every day. Despite this unacceptable fact, lung cancer research remains drastically underfunded and lung cancer as a disease remains largely overlooked.

Lack of research funding and attention has dramatically slowed the progress for developing new treatments and saving lives.

The fifth annual Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5k/1 mile run/walk will be held at 9 .m. Saturday at the National Composite Center in Kettering. This is a new location for the event and will provide greater indoor space for registration and gathering, a large overhang/porch in case of bad weather and a somewhat self-contained course that will have little car traffic.

The goal of the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer walk/run is to promote ongoing research, awareness and advocacy of lung cancer. Only recently is more being done for lung cancer, however, and the reality is still that one in 13 men and one in 16 women are diagnosed with the disease and only 15 percent of them will survive five years beyond their diagnosis.

We know that bringing about improvements in screening, diagnostics and treatments for other cancers have led to longer and better lives for patients, and together we need to do the same for lung cancer. Research investment saves lives. Ten years from now, when a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer the National Lung Cancer Partnership wants them to have a true chance at living a long, fulfilled life.

Suzanne Albers, event coordinator, says: “Our final numbers for last year were 544 participants, and we netted over $30,000. We hope to be over the $40,000 mark this year with over 700 participants. I realize that this might pale in comparison to other cancer fundraising, but we are still going in the right direction! Unfortunately, lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon and prostate combined but still drastically trails in research monies allocated to the disease. We will continue the fight.”

All proceeds benefit the National Lung Cancer Partnership’s research, education and awareness programs. For more information, go online to www.freetobreathe.org.

Also new this year is an essay contest for students in grades 6-12. The contest is a way to raise awareness and encourage young writers. The link for this can be found on the website.