Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania Announces
New Designation by the American Lung Association
The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania (Foundation) has announced that they have been contracted by the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania as the Tobacco Control Services Provider for Blair and Bedford Counties. As the provider, the Foundation will use a comprehensive approach in delivering tobacco control programs through state and community based intervention programs, mass-reach health communication interventions and cessation programs.
The goals for the comprehensive tobacco control programs facilitated by the Foundation include preventing of the initiation of tobacco use, promoting quitting among adults and youth, eliminate nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke, identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities among population groups.
Dr. George M. Zlupko, Chairman of the Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania says that “the Lung Disease Foundation plans to work with other agencies and organizations to provide education to individuals, communities, and industries on the need for smoking cessation, along with a number of other issues. The Lung Disease Foundation has added a staff person to assist with providing these services and this program fits well with the Foundation’s Mission to provide education to the general public about specific lung issues.”
Multiple services to be provided will be prioritized throughout the Blair and Bedford County community needs assessments, much of which have been identified through the Healthy Blair County Coalition’s Needs Assessment reports. The services will include:
- Prevent the initiation of tobacco use among youth and young adults by recruiting youth for the Tobacco Resistance Unit (TRU), Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), Tobacco Prevention Education and Point of Sale Training.
- Promote quitting among adults and youth through Freedom From Smoking and Adult Cessation group programs, one-on-one tobacco treatment counseling, Not on Tobacco Youth Cessation program, PA Free Quitline and Fax to Quit service.
- Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke by identifying and increasing the number of 100% tobacco free workplaces and multi-unit housing establishments.
- Promote Young Lungs At Play by identifying and increasing the number of participants.
- Assist in promoting the Clean Indoor Air Initiatives through the Clean Indoor Air Act, Act 27 of 2008.
- Identify and eliminate tobacco related disparities through advocacy, media campaigns, targeted outreach to disparate populations and chronic disease integration.
“The Lung Disease Foundation looks forward to making a positive impact with the community and industries concerning the seriousness of lung disease and lung cancer associated with the use of tobacco products. I urge you to watch for upcoming opportunities and events provided by the Lung Disease Foundation and we invite interested businesses, community organizations, and youth programs to contact us to arrange for programs at their location”, commented Dr. Zlupko
The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit foundation founded by Dr. George M. Zlupko, is located at the Lung Disease Center of Central Pennsylvania, 800 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA along with the Altoona Lung Specialists and the Sleep Disorder Network. For more information on the Foundation, their new designation, services and programs, please contact Sherri Stayer, Executive Director, at 814-946-2845, ext. 200 or email her at sherris@altoonalungspecialists.com.
2016 Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Benefit Walk Successful!
The fifth annual Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Benefit Walk, held on Friday, August 19, 2016 inside the Logan Valley Mall, was a great success with both the number of walkers and funds raised surpassing last year’s walk. A total of $2,847.25 was raised through donations raised by the 60 walkers and additional donations contributed following the walk during Health-O-Rama.
Barbara Gerrity raised $1,565 making her the walker who raised the most donations. Michael Harf was the winner of the most laps walked. Both received gift baskets from Select Specialty Hospitals valued at over $100. Paul Figart and Cathy Vaught, who also participated in the walk, each received a case of Roaring Spring Water.
Dr. George M. Zlupko, Chairman of the Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania shared “I was impressed and happy to see how many people came out for the walk and how enthusiastic they were to support this important cause. I’ve never seen so many people look good in t-shirts! The Light on Lungs artwork on the t-shirts really did light up the mall,” shared Zlupko.
Every year walkers from across the Central Pennsylvania region join the physicians, staff and volunteers of the Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania to raise money to help local Lung Cancer patients with their medical expenses.
Over 158,000 Americans died from Lung Cancer in 2015 and many others suffer from this terrible disease. The Lung Disease Foundation is committed to making a positive difference in fighting Lung Cancer through their Lung Cancer Early Detection Program and funds raised through events including the Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Benefit Walk.
“Every year I get excited about the increase in participation, the strong community involvement and support the walk receives,” said Connie Miller of Select Specialty Hospital of Johnstown, who sponsored the walk. “Select Specialty Hospitals is proud to support the event knowing all the funds raised go toward helping local lung cancer patients.”
The Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit foundation founded by Dr. George M. Zlupko, is located at the Lung Disease Center of Central PA, 800 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA along with the Altoona Lung Specialists and the Sleep Disorder Network. For more information on the walk, the Foundation, please contact Sherri Stayer, Executive Director, at 814-946-2845, ext. 200 or email her at sherris@altoonalungspecialists.com.
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The Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA
2015 Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Benefit Walk Raises $1,775
The number of walkers increased and donations for the third annual Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Benefit Walk sponsored by Select Specialty Hospital were more than double last year’s with a total of $1,775. In addition, $145 was raised through t-shirt sales. These funds will be used by the Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA to support patients of the Lung Disease Center of Central PA to cover uninsured expenses of lung disease.
Barbara Gerrity was the walker who raised the most donations with a record total of $1,210 in honor of a family member who had passed with lung cancer. Trina Funcheon completed the most laps around the course inside the Logan Valley Mall. Both received gift baskets donated by Select Specialty Hospital.
“It was a spectacular event,” commented Kelly L. Blake, CEO of Select Specialty Hospital. “I was impressed with the walkers of all ages. They outdid themselves in raising donations for this great cause. We are very proud to sponsor the event. It is a wonderful way to support the community who allows Select Specialty Hospital to care for their families and loved ones.”
The walk was part of the annual Health-O-Rama Health and Wellness Expo which is sponsored by the Lung Disease Center of Central PA and presented by the Altoona Mirror. “We are very pleased to be part of Health-O-Rama. It is very important to educate people about lung disease,” commented Dr. George M. Zlupko of the Lung Disease Center and Lung Disease Foundation. “We need to continue to raise awareness of this terrible disease and hopefully find a cure. This walk and other events hosted by the Lung Disease Foundation are tools to help with these initiatives.”
The Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) foundation founded by Dr. George M. Zlupko, is located at the Lung Disease Center of Central PA, 800 Chestnut Avenue, Altoona, PA along with the Altoona Lung Specialists and the Sleep Disorder Network. For more information on the Foundation and how you can become involved in helping lung cancer patients and their families, please contact Sherri Stayer, Executive Director, at 814-946-2845, ext. 200 or email her at sherris@altoonalungspecialists.com.
Photo Caption: (From Left) Connie Miller, Director of Business Development of Select Specialty Hospital, Barbara Gerrity, most raised donations, Trina Funcheon, most laps walked, Kelly L. Blake, CEO Select Specialty Hospital, and Dr. George M. Zlupko, Lung Disease Foundation of Central PA.
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Lung Cancer is one of the five most common cancers. Often, by the time you see the symptoms, there is little chance to do any type of surgical removal, which is the only known reliable cure. More people die of lung cancer each year than breast, prostate, colon and pancreas cancers combined. A recent nationally published study of more than 50,000 people showed that annual testing of patients who are 55 years of age or older and who have a 30 pack year smoking history can reduce the mortality of lung cancer by 20 percent. Fortunately for patients with lung disease, there is the Lung Disease Center of Central Pennsylvania. The Center was established in 2011 by Dr. George Zlupko and Dr. Timothy Lucas to expand the services of Altoona Lung Specialists, offering patients high quality pulmonary services, testing and convenience at one location. Also located at the Center are the Sleep Disorder Network and the Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania. With its own pulmonary function testing laboratory, the Center is able to perform sophisticated testing maneuvers, many of which are only available in institutional settings. Radiology services include a digital x-ray unit and in–house CT scanner. Now the Center is exploring telemedicine, which will enable the physicians to provide consultations via video conferencing for patients in rural clinics, doctors’ offices and eventually patient’s homes.
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