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Lung Cancer Awareness Month Legacy Mourns the Death of Three Foundation Storytellers |
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"Legacy is deeply saddened by the loss of these three fine individuals," said Dr. Cheryl Healton, President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation, "Although they are no longer with us, their stories will be forever remembered and the work they all did to raise awareness of lung cancer will leave lasting legacies. Our foundation's thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends at this difficult time. Joseph Vincent, a resident of Matteson, IL, a suburb of Chicago who quit smoking in 1975, was diagnosed while in his 70's with Stage 4 lung cancer. By the time he was diagnosed, in January 2006, the cancer had already spread to his bones and eventually it also spread to his nervous system. He leaves behind a loving wife, Grace and their family. To raise attention about her husband's life and legacy, Mrs. Vincent has given media interviews in the Chicago area. Susan DeWitt, a wife and mother of three from Superior, Colorado, had not smoked a cigarette since 1997. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in January of 2004 at the age of 39. She defied the odds by surviving for almost four years with lung cancer. During her years battling the disease, DeWitt spent much of her time educating young people about the dangers of smoking. In addition to her appearance in the Code Blue campaign, she made a DVD, "Lung Cancer, Through My Children's Eyes," and started The Susan L. DeWitt Foundation for Extended Breath in order to bring awareness about the impact of smoking on families. Susan leaves behind her husband Randy, and three children. Sixteen years ago, Wayne Greer decided to end his 40-plus year smoking habit. He'd started at age 13 when attitudes toward smoking were different — it was the "hip" thing to do. Mr. Greer's journey into the world of lung cancer started two years ago at a bowling alley. While playing in a tournament, Greer felt a piercing pain in his back. A CT scan later revealed the pain was an inoperable tumor. Doctors gave him two months to live, but he lived nearly two more years. Greer leaves behind a loving family. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in the United States and more Americans lose their lives to it annually than to breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. As we mourn the loss of these wonderful people, Legacy encourages others to learn more about lung cancer, and stresses the importance of early detection of the disease. Early treatment and early diagnosis of lung cancer offer promise to others. The foundation produced Code Blue for Lung Cancer, a partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters, as part of a comprehensive effort to raise awareness about preventing lung cancer and increase survival rates for those struggling with it. Code Blue includes a 30-minute documentary that explores the devastating impact of lung cancer on four families and discusses how to reduce lung cancer deaths, primarily through early diagnosis and by quitting smoking. The campaign, in both English and Spanish, also includes radio and television public service announcements, a guidebook for local broadcasters, and an accompanying online component (www.americanlegacy.org/codeblue). |
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