Lung Force walk makes its debut on Long Island

Anyone can get lung cancer.

That’s what the American Lung Association wants people to know, and this past Saturday, walkers put their lungs to the test, and took part in the inaugural Lung Force Walk on Long Island in Eisenhower Park.

The event, which raises funds and awareness for vital lung disease, research, education and advocacy, kicked at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 7.

Alongside the walk, those participating in the event enjoyed a range of activities throughout the morning, as well as informational tents set up around Field 6 of the park in East Meadow, where people could learn about lung health and lung disease.

Funds from the Lung Force Walk will support the lung association’s annual work in research, educational initiatives, and its advocacy work on state and federal levels

Emily Amitin, a development director with the lung association’s metro New York and Northern/Central New Jersey area, says the Lung Force Walk came about when organizers realized many people didn’t know how dangerous some lung inflictions — especially cancer — are.

“Through a lot of our surveying, we realized that while cancer was top of mind for individuals, people don’t know that it’s the number one cancer killer nationwide of both men and women,” Amitin said. “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. It’s not just a smoker’s disease.”

Event speakers at this weekend’s walk included Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu of Northwell Health and lung cancer survivor Carol Silva, who was also a longtime anchor for News12.