A Breath Of Hope Lung Foundation

White Ribbon Awareness Program (WRAP): Approximately 70,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. lose their lives to lung cancer each year. Approximately 20% of all cancer deaths happened to never smokers (defined as having smoked less than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime). Despite these published statistics, many in the public realm believe that smoking is the only cause of lung cancer which can lead to missed symptoms and late-stage diagnoses. There are many causes of lung cancer - from genetic predisposition to family history to radon and asbestos exposure to air quality in general. Approximately 70% of lung cancer patients are diagnosed in stage 3 or 4 - when it is difficult to treat successfully. ABOH reaches 1,000,000 or more people each year with life-saving messages focused on early detection of lung cancer through billboard campaigns, online marketing, social media, public presentations, and awareness program events.

Research Program: Per cancer death and its burden on society, lung cancer research is underfunded per cancer death and compared to other cancers. A Breath of Hope (ABOH) has invested well over $2 million dollars in its research program providing competitive $150,000 awards for early career investigators across the country. Many of ABOH funded projects have been published and have led to important discoveries in the field. ABOH's focus on young investigators improves retention of the top talent in this cancer field. Funded research projects have been carefully vetted by a team of experts, both nationally and locally. We are proud to support some of the most important translational lung cancer research in the nation. ABOH receives its research support mostly from individual donors and families who are living with lung cancer or have endured the loss of a loved one to lung cancer.