| Dedication
This website is dedicated to the memory of Marcia; a wife, mother
and friend, who touched the lives of so many with her positive
attitude and joy for living. Although her life on earth ended
far too soon, her spirit lives on through the Marcia Lemkin Foundation.
The
Silent Killer
Per the American Cancer Society, Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death
in both men
and women. It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that
there will be 160,390 deaths from lung cancer in 2007 (89,510
among men and 70,880 among women), accounting for about 29% of all
cancer deaths. Additionally, it is estimated by the American Cancer Society that
there will be 213,880 new lung cancer cases diagnosed in 2007
(114,760 among men and 98,620 among women), accounting for about
15% of cancer diagnoses. More women die each year from lung cancer than
from breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers combined. Every hour of every
day, 19 people die from lung cancer and at least 15-percent never
smoked. Lung cancer is considered a silent killer, since
the disease is most often not detected until it is in a terminal
stage (see Early Detection section of our site).
Our
Mission
The mission of The Marcia Lemkin Foundation is
to
provide funding for lung cancer research, treatment
and support programs,
funding and publicity for early detection lung cancer screening
for those at risk,
and to make available the most current lung cancer
research and news.
3/12/2008
Summary of Testimony in support of
Senate Bill 2454, at the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Revenue
Hearing, by Francine Jacobson, MD, MPH, of Brigham and Women's
Hospital. Said Senate Bill 2454 was sponsored by
Senator Susan C. Fargo and is an Act establishing the Commonwealth
Lung Cancer Early Detection and Treatment Research Fund.
This Summary of Testimony, as
provided by Dr. Jacobson, is as follows:
"Testimony in support of S 2454 by
Francine Jacobson, MD, MPH accompanied by survivor of lung cancer with
her 3 young sons and the sister of a woman who died from lung cancer
while the woman giving testimony as part of the same panel was being
treated.
After stating my credentials and
collaboration with researchers, clinicians and patients joining me at
the podium, I began by reframing testimony earlier in the session.
The fact that only 3500 MA residents died of lung cancer last year
while 5000 were diagnosed represented progress on the long road to
early identification of lung cancer. I proceeded to discuss how this
bill could provide appropriate leadership in this field while the jury
is out regarding who should be screened for lung cancer. The initial
modest tobacco tax revenue would be well used in an educational
program to identify tobacco exposure risk that now escapes medical
records. Patients should, in confidence, give their physician
otherwise lost smoking history, just as a woman would identify herself
as the daughter of a woman who received
DES while pregnant. In response to the ramp up in funding elaborated
by Senator Fargo, I added the vision of a pilot program such as could
be conducted through the Connors Center for Women's Health and the
Fish Center for Women's Health that currently sponsors and hosts the
Women's Lung Cancer Forum, also sponsored by the Marcia Lemkin Family
Foundation.
I then gave the floor to the patient who
largely read from powerful prepared remarks followed resounding and
unprecedented applause."
The Marcia Lemkin
Foundation congratulates Dr. Jacobson for her tireless and invaluable
work in behalf of lung cancer patients!!
A New Test For Lung Cancer (3/1/07) Click Below
New Test For Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer Screening (3/29/07) Click Below
Lung Cancer Screening Regimen Provides
Opportunity for Cure
How You Can Help
The Marcia Lemkin Foundation is
supported by people like you--people who want to make a difference
and we very much appreciate your help. We look forward to seeing
you at our next annual 5K Race & Walk on August 24. If you are
unable to attend, your donation would be greatly appreciated
(please make checks payable to the Marcia Lemkin Foundation & mail
to 440 Middlesex Road #233, Tyngsboro, MA 01879).
Sincerely,
The
Marcia Lemkin Foundation
Our email address is
marcialemkinfoundation@comcast.net
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