2 minute read
Lung Cancer Awareness in the Spotlight
By Snow Tardif, BSN, RN
National Lung Cancer Screening Day
Saturday, November 9 was National Lung Cancer Screening Day. Screening Centers across Maine were opened on Saturday to help screen eligible patients who may not have access during the work week. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1,600 Maine residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024, and it is estimated that 840 Maine individuals will die from this disease this year. This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to increase access to lung cancer screening and save lives.
Free ME from Lung Cancer
MaineHealth Thoracic Surgery participated in the “Free ME from Lung Cancer” 5K walk/run event held on 10/20/24. Free Me from Lung Cancer is a non-profit organization dedicated to support lung cancer research, advocacy, and lung cancer screening in Maine. Thoracic Surgery raised $3,485 and Free ME from Lung Cancer generously matched, then increased the total to $10,000. These raised funds will be used for patients who are unable to afford their follow up CT scan due to an abnormal lung screening CT scan. MH Thoracic Surgery won two awards at this event: The Largest Team award and the Top Donnor Award. Congratulations to the participants!
