Marathon Benefit

Katie Irene Oestrike

Friends and Family;

At the beginning of 2006 my mother, Jackie Oestrike, was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is a woman who chooses to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating well, taking aerobics classes, walking the dog, hanging out with her family, going on regular adventures, and most of all by not smoking. Each year approximately 22,000 people in the US are diagnosed with lung cancer, who have never smoked a cigarette.

Since my mum was diagnosed, my family and I have been investigating this disease and examining statistics on how under-funded the research sector of lung cancer is. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, killing more people than breast, colon, prostate, kidney, bladder, and melanoma cancers—combined! Lung cancer will kill twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer.

Despite these staggering numbers, lung cancer is and has been for some time the most under funded of all major cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Controls the 2005 budget includes $204 million for breast and cervical cancer research, $14 million for prostate cancer research, and $14.6 million for colon cancer research, and a striking $2.1 million for lung cancer research.

In the meantime, I am training for the Cincinnati Marathon on May 7, 2006. One of my goals while running is to raise money for a charity. I have decided that I am going to run 26.2 miles for the Lung Cancer Alliance and am hoping for your financial support for this cause.

LCA is the only non-profit organization dedicated to patient support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and those at risk for the disease. Donations support programs such as clinical trials matching service, phone buddy support program, their hotline, website, blog, and their quarterly newsletter. They produce educational materials for patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses, and other lung cancer groups. Through advocacy work they leverage millions more dollars from the Federal and State governments for research on lung cancer early detection and treatments. You can find more information at www.lungcanceralliance.org.

A critically important factor in the fight against cancer is awareness. Cancer is a disease that is affecting every one of us in one way or another. If the cancer rate continues, one in every four of us will suffer from this awful disease. Even if you are unable to donate any money, please do me a favor and do some research on ways to decrease your chances of becoming another statistic. Whether it is by cutting back on processed foods, eating more phytochemicals, voting for a smoking ban, or going to the doctor for regular check-ups.

Thank you for your time and consideration,



Katie Oestrike

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