UPDATE: LCI Evening of Hope (8.30.20)
By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI
In lieu of a traditional in-person Evening of Hope Gala, the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina's 13th annual event will be a live online "Evening of Hope Auction and Celebration!" to be held on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
There will be silent and live auctions as well as guest speakers and other entertainment
Participants are invited to check the LCI web site for updates on the available silent auction items and further details about the event, including registration, and a weblink to the event. Registration will be required, but there is no fee to participate.
All net proceeds will benefit the non-profit whose mission is to save lives and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, awareness, education and access programs across the state.
The Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina (LCI) specializes in connecting patients, survivors and loved ones with the medical and research community. The non-profit is currently funding several research grants at Duke and has partnered with Duke on a number of access and education initiatives throughout Durham and Wake counties. Access services the LCI provides include gas cards and an emergency patient assistance program for support during COVID-19.
"While we will miss seeing you in person this year, we want to ensure everyone still has the opportunity to experience the Evening of Hope Online Celebration benefiting the Lung Cancer Initiative," said LCI executive director Paige Humble. "We will unite from communities across the state and beyond to build awareness, raise critical research funding in the fight against lung cancer and have fun together while staying apart. During this critical time, people diagnosed with lung cancer and their families need our support more than ever. We hope you will join us to make a difference!"
More than 219,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the U.S. each year. More than 8,000 people in North Carolina will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. Lung cancer claims more lives than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. It's often described as the “invisible” cancer, because so few people know they have the disease until it is advanced.
One in 13 men, and one in 16 women will get lung cancer in their lifetime, and only 18% will survive five years beyond their diagnosis. Few people survive the disease to advocate for increased awareness and research funding.
"Low survival rates and the perception that it is a self-inflicted disease have forced lung cancer to remain below the nation’s radar,” said Humble. “Research is drastically under-funded. Your generous support is critical and will positively impact the patients, families, advocates, researchers and health professionals fighting the number one cancer killer in the U.S. Together, there’s always something we can do."