The Ratzenberger family and volunteers are planning an awareness event that includes some fun exercise in an effort to educate people that 65% of those diagnosed with lung cancer never smoked cigarettes.  

LOCAL FAMILY RALLIES AROUND 31 YEAR OLD NEVER-SMOKER DIAGNOSED WITH NUMBER ONE CANCER KILLER 

Seattle, WA (April 29, 2011) – More shocking words had never been heard by the Ratzenberger family.  At just 31 years old, Sara Ratzenberger, a healthy and active young woman, never expected to hear that she had lung cancer. 

“When I woke up from surgery, I expected to hear everything went well.  Instead I saw the teary-eyed looks of my parents and my husband.  Then my husband said “it’s not good, it’s cancer, Sara.”  To this day, it is still unbelievable that after six months of being misdiagnosed with pneumonia – having been tested several times and having been told I did not have cancer – that my story turned into this” says Sara, shaking her head.

Although smoking is a major cause of this disease, about 65% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers.  And Sara’s family is committed to educating the community about this and other misconceptions surrounding lung cancer.  The family will host Breathe Deep Seattle, Washington’s first 5K event to benefit LUNGevity Foundation and the organization’s mission to fund lung cancer research.

“The key is to raise money for research,” states Amy May, Volunteer Event Coordinator for Breathe Deep Seattle, “Sara’s cancer was found in stage four, which is not uncommon.  But that needs to change because only 16% of lung cancer diagnoses happen during the earliest and most curable stage of the disease, making lung cancer the most deadly cancer in America.  The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 15% and that is unacceptable.” 

May has joined forces with LUNGevity Foundation, one of the largest private funders of lung cancer research to host Washington’s inaugural Breathe Deep Seattle 5K.  The organization, like May, is dedicated to ending lung cancer now. 

On Saturday August 13, 2011, the 5K will take place in Seattle’s Lincoln Park.  The event welcomes runners and walkers and registration fees for the event range from $10 to $30.  Runners will be timed.  Event participants will receive a free t-shirt and ice cream, provided by Husky Deli, after the event.  Event participants will also receive their own web page, which can be used to raise funds toward lung cancer research.

“1 in 14 Americans are impacted by lung cancer and so you have likely been touched by the disease, whether your realize it or not.  It’s time to care about lung cancer and those it touches.  Sara and I hope the community will support this critical cause by helping us to raise our $15,000 fundraising goal,” shares May. 

To register or make a donation, please visit www.lungevity.org/seattle or call the LUNGevity office at 312-464-0716.

The Breathe Deep Seattle walk/run will be a wonderful way for participants to spend a summer morning.  Participants will enjoy a beautiful one mile trail run through evergreen forest, with views from a bluff to the Puget Sound below. Then, wind their way down to the beach and run for 2 miles along the water on paved and hard-packed gravel travel. Wildlife, waves, mountain and sound views will inspire!