Metro
Going The Distance
Family and friends of LUNGevity founder gear up for second annual walk.
Missy Lumberg Zagon
Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News
L
ike the small army of walkers
they're assembling to aid in the
fight against lung cancer, Sherri
and Eddie Lumberg of West Bloomfield
are determined to keep moving forward.
They're in the midst of an uphill battle
against the disease that claimed the
life of their 39-year old daughter Missy
Lumberg Zagon in 2007. The Harvard-
educated attorney, wife, and young
mother, a non-smoker who had no other
health problems, was diagnosed at age
32.
"We were in shock; we knew nothing
of lung cancer:' recalled Sherri.
During the 61/2 years Missy lived
with the disease, in the midst of sur-
geries and dozens of rounds of che-
motherapy, she gathered a core group
of other lung cancer survivors and
founded LUNGevity. The Chicago-based
foundation, dedicated to funding lung
cancer research and providing sup-
port for those affected by the disease,
has raised more than $5 million and
Michael Lumberg of Farmington Hills with his parents, Sherri and Edward Lumberg
of West Bloomfield
Aviva Friedman of Franklin
helped fund dozens of research projects;
Wayne State University and Karmanos
Cancer Institute, both in Detroit, and
the University of Michigan are local
grant recipients. This year, LUNGevity
was honored as the fastest-growing
charity in the United States by Charity
Navigator.
"There have been breakthroughs in
the areas of pre-screening and lung
cancer treatment," Eddie Lumberg said.
"Progress is being made, but there's still
a long way to go."
That's why 200-300 people are expect-
ed to gather at Drake Sports Park in
West Bloomfield Oct. 25 for the second
annual Metro Detroit LUNGevity walk;
50 similar events are held across the
country. Genentch BioOncology, Pegasus
tackle the most daunting challenge of
my life," reads a message on Friedman's
fundraising Web page. "Today, I am
strong. Today, I am a survivor. Yet, there
are others not as fortunate. Each year,
lung cancer kills more people than all
other cancers combined. It affects non-
smokers., smokers and past smokers
alike. The fight to cure lung cancer is
under funded and under researched. You
have the power to change this travesty."
The National Cancer Institute esti-
mates there will be more than 200,000
new cases of lung cancer in 2009.
That's a big motivating factor for the
Lumbergs and the other LUNGevity
supporters who will take part in the
family-friendly walk with refreshments,
entertainment, a pumpkin patch and
more.
"Contributions to date are very gen-
erous considering the challenges we're
facing in our economy," Lumberg said.
"We're approaching our goal of $55,000
and we're very encouraged. Support for
LUNGevity and our Metro Detroit walk
is strong and we sincerely appreciate
it." I I
Entertainment, Troy Internal Medicine,
and the Detroit Jewish News are major
sponsors. Lumberg is co-chairing the
walk along with Amy Sternfeld, also of
West Bloomfield. Her father is a lung
cancer survivor; her mother and two
grandparents died from the disease.
"I don't want to see anyone else suffer
the way I've seen my own family mem-
bers suffer;' Sternfeld has said.
Among the local crowd, will be sur-
vivors like Aviva Friedman of Franklin.
She's been fighting lung cancer for the
past year. Her team, "Aviva's Breath of
Life has raised more than $12,800;
they're just one of 29 teams participat-
ing in this year's event.
"Because of your individual support
and unwavering belief, you've helped me
Join The Fight!
The second annual LUNGevity walk takes place rain or shine, Sunday, Oct. 25,
at Drake Sports Park in West Bloomfield. Registration is $25 for adults, $20 for
lung cancer survivors and $15 for students. There is no charge for children 12
and under. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.; the walk is at 1:20 p.m. WXYZ-TV
reporter Cheryl Chodun will serve as master of ceremonies. Register online at:
www.lungevity.org/detroitwalk or at Drake Park on the day of the event.
October 15 - 2009
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