Seven and a half year old Alexis Johnson’s family wants to save other grannies from lung cancer.
That’s why she’s the top fundraiser every year in her family’s event, Breathe Deep Kankakee.
Alexis’ grandmother, Wanda White, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009. Wanda, along with her daughter, Tammy Johnson, thought an event to raise awareness was a good idea and she wanted people to know that smoking wasn’t the only cause for lung cancer. Wanda had worked for 25 years in dry cleaning and she wanted people to know that anyone, regardless of smoking history, could develop lung cancer too. There needed to be more research into the disease so the family set out to make a difference in their community!
Alexis’ mom Tammy and her grandmother Wanda began their first event, a walked called Breathe Deep Kankakee in August of 2009, and later a bowling event every November called Spare a Life Strike out Lung Cancer. Alexis and her grandmother were always the top two fundraisers!
The family had never participated in events before finding LUNGevity. Through LUNGevity they were able to raise awareness in their community and honor Wanda in her fight against the disease. It was very hard for Alexis and her family to watch what Wanda had to endure and they wanted to do whatever they could to educate others about the disease, the warning signs, the importance of early detection and that research into early detection and more treatments could spare a life.
Wanda White passed away July 21, 2011. Her family continues to fight in her honor raising thousands of dollars thru both events.
“I think everyone should attend a Breathe Deep event in their area because it’s an opportunity to get accurate information on lung cancer and because every dollar gets us closer to ending lung cancer,” said Tammy Johnson.
It’s also an opportunity to remember those we’ve lost to the disease. It’s also an occasion to honor survivors and show that there IS hope and people do survive and with increase funding for research even more people will survive this disease.
Alexis and her family hope this year’s event is the best event ever in memory of Wanda. Even though Wanda can’t physically be there this year, they know that she will be there in spirit, cheering them on.
For more information on Breathe Deep Kankakee and Spare a Life Strike out Lung Cancer, or to start your own event with LUNGevity, please visit our website www.LUNGevity.org
About LUNGevity Foundation
The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to have a meaningful impact on improving lung cancer survival rates, ensure a higher quality of life for lung cancer patients, and provide a community for those impacted by lung cancer.
Through the support of critical research into the early detection and successful treatment of lung cancer, as well as providing information, resources and a community to patients and caregivers, LUNGevity is creating and sharing hope for cures, treatments and enhanced quality of life for lung cancer patients.
LUNGevity seeks to inspire the nation to commit to ending lung cancer.
For more information, please visit www.LUNGevity.org
About Lung Cancer
• 1 in 14 Americans is diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, regardless of gender or ethnicity
• Lung cancer kills almost twice as many women as breast cancer and more than three times as many men as prostate cancer
• About 55% of all new lung cancer diagnoses are among people who have never smoked or are former smokers
• Only 16% of all people diagnosed with lung cancer will survive 5 years or more, BUT if it’s caught before it spreads, the chance for 5-year survival improves to 52%
