Quick Poll
With the recent passing of music icons Donna Summer and Robin Gibb – each had major success in the 1970s and 1980s – which music decade is your favorite?
- Pre-1960s: 46
- 1960s: 89
- 1970s: 159
- 1980s: 126
- 1990s: 31
- 2000s: 2
- Present: 14
Total Votes:
Published Sunday, July 24, 2011 in Close-Up
Special
Leah Isakson of Newnan will run in Free to Breathe to honor her father, Kevin, a lung cancer survivor.
Lung Cancer Awareness: Local to run in 'Free to Breathe' 5K
The Newnan Times-Herald
Leah Isakson of Newnan will run in the Aug. 20 Free to Breathe 5K in Atlanta in honor of three loved ones with lung cancer.
"It's just not talked about," said Isakson about lung cancers in general. She and organizers of the event are hoping to raise awareness and funds to support the National Lung Cancer Partnership's research, and education programs.
Isakson's father, grandfather, and the father of her boyfriend, are all lung cancer survivors.
Allan Rainwater, Isakson's grandfather, is a retired minister from First United Methodist in Newnan, and also retired from Yokogawa. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004.
Isakson's father, Kevin Isakson is a retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sargent. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, he now lives in North Carolina.
Family friend Paul Harlacher is retired from United States Navy and has mesothelioma. Although diagnosed in 2006, he didn't start treatment until last year. The only place that aggressively treats mesothelioma, says Isakson, is the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Harlacher had his lung removed there as well as radiation treatments. Although he has to travel back and forth for follow-up treatments, he will be undergoing other treatments here in Georgia.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, and is usually due to asbestos exposure.
Isakson hopes to raise $500 for Free to Breathe. Individuals can learn more about Free to Breathe or donate by visiting www.freetobreathe.org. Click on Atlanta under the find an event tab, and then "donate" to search for Isakson's name.
Isakson is planning on having a T-shirt made with her father's picture on it for the run. Kevin Isakson turned 54 last week.
Although Isakson's three loved ones are survivors, quality of life is an issue for them from fatigue to breathing issues. "They have absolutely no immune system," she said.
Amy Waggoner, coordinator of the Free to Breathe Atlanta run, says it's the second annual event locally. More than 550 runners participated last year, collecting $37,000 for the National Lung Cancer Partnership.
The Aug. 20 event will be held in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta, beginning with a rally at 8:15 a.m. at Greencove and Virginia Ave. near Inman Middle School.
"It's such an important cause," said Waggoner. "Lung cancer is the largest cancer killer in the U.S."
A common misconception is that lung cancer is a smoker's disease. According to Waggoner, 65 percent of those diagnosed with lung cancer never smoked or had quit years ago. "There's definitely a stigma," she said.
Very little is still know about lung cancers, and the five year survival rate remains among the lowest of survival rates.
Waggoner became involved in the cause after a 52-year-old colleague -- "the healthiest person I know" -- was diagnosed.
Free to Breathe can be found on Facebook.
Families of lung cancer patients are invited to bring pictures and comments to display on an honor wall at the Atlanta event.
Comment On This Story
Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.
Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.
Leah, I wanted to donate a little something to you via the freetobreathe.com site, but i could not pull you up. can you please post a link? or are you listed under another name on there? thank you.
Posted by kim at 10:08 PM
It's good to see that more awareness is being raised of mesothelioma, too. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation can also be used as a resource for mesothelioma patients and their families.
Posted by Maja at 3:39 PM
I am so sorry to hear that. My dad went in for a check up and we were told it was a small mass. After a couple more tests we were told the mass was the size of a grapefruit. I tried to stay strong to my dads face but it felt I was hit by a truck. I couldn't believe the strongest man in the world in my eyes had cancer. I have had family members with Breast Cancer and I support it but Lung Cancer is EVERYWHERE and it is not advertised like other awarenesses and I wanted to do what I can to get the word out there. want fighting chance for others facing this same
Posted by Leah at 11:57 AM
Leah - Congrats on what you will be doing for those with lung cancer. My father died within 4 months of being diagnosed with lung cancer. He had not one symptom other then a cough...and was told he was stage IV. There is not nearly enough research for lung cancer. We all need to do our part. I thank you.
Posted by Erica at 10:08 PM
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Emailed
- Commented
- Store clerk shot during robbery; non-life threatening injuries
- Senoia's second Southern Living Idea House set to open June 2
- Blunt force trauma killed wreck victim
- You will have to renew driver's license in person starting July 1
- Driver faces weapons and drug charges
- 11-year-old charged after bringing toy gun to school
- Motel Fire: Three families displaced; fireman's injuries minor
- Suspects sought in T-Mobile robbery
- 'Drop Dead Diva' films in downtown Newnan
- Suspect remains at large in burglary of One Roof Outreach
- You will have to renew driver's license in person starting July 1
- HGTV's Green Home at Serenbe open through June 24
- Chattahoochee "endangered river?" Planned water reservoirs seen as hazard by national group
- Senoia's second Southern Living Idea House set to open June 2
- A tribute to Robert Wood
- Suspects sought in T-Mobile robbery
- Summer HEAT program now underway in Georgia
- Top-ranked Brentwood too much for Heritage School
- Registration open for virtual schools
- Samaritan Clinic needs our support to expand its free health services
- Officers watching you to ensure you buckle your seat belt
- Do our police put too much emphasis on seat belt law?
- Summer HEAT program now underway in Georgia
- Pastor's Corner: Are you born that way or not?
- Coty wants Grantville charter amended; Sells objects to 'micromanaging'
- You will have to renew driver's license in person starting July 1
- Railroad crossing now open
- Chattahoochee "endangered river?" Planned water reservoirs seen as hazard by national group
- High school graduation a significant milestone in the life of a student
- Northgate Spring Football Practice: Working on an encore
Great race
8/20/2011
Link To This Comment
Leah, my husband and I enjoyed talking with you and your boyfriend at the race this morning. I found this article that you mentioned - it's a great way to make people aware of this terrible disease. It does not discriminate, as you know. We look forward to seeing both of you at the race next year. Keep raising money for this important cause.
Posted by Karen Baumbach at 5:55 PM