Troy Aikman, Cal Ripken Jr., Joe Buck Join Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign

Three of the most recognized names in professional sports are teaming up in the fight against the nation's number-one cancer killer -- lung cancer.

Hall of Fame Quarterback Troy Aikman, Hall of Fame Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and Emmy-award winning sportscaster Joe Buck, have joined Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to advocating for people living with lung cancer or those at risk for the disease, as national spokesmen.

All three legends are part of a nationwide awareness campaign that includes print and electronic public-service announcements. The campaign theme, "A Face In the Fight", seeks to unify supporters to help promote the importance and value of early detection and treatment, and to encourage more government funding for research.

"The participation of these sports greats in the fight against lung cancer is a watershed moment for the entire lung cancer community," said Laurie Fenton, president of the Lung Cancer Alliance. "By speaking out about lung cancer, these three men will help bring about the compassion and support so long overdue for this disease."

Buck and Ripken both lost their fathers to the disease. "Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer deaths for decades, yet the five year survival rate of fifteen percent has barely budged. This has to change," says Buck. Adds Ripken, "It kills more people than all the major cancers, but remains the least funded. It's an unbelievable contradiction and one that needs to end, now."

Aikman's connection to the disease is through the death of his wife's grandmother. "I'm involved not simply to raise awareness for a disease that has been ignored far too long in our country, but to spark change in the way it's perceived, diagnosed, and treated to hopefully and ultimately save lives."

Lung cancer facts:
* Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
* Lung cancer causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths.
* Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer among Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanic males.
* Lung cancer will kill more people this year than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney, and melanoma cancers combined.

Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to patient support and advocacy for the lung cancer community. LCA's mission is to lead the movement to reverse decades of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.

SOURCE Lung Cancer Alliance