LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Iconic TV actor Don Diamont, named "Sexiest Veteran Soap Actor" by People Magazine in 2009, along with other special guests will join lung cancer advocates and supporters at the Lung Cancer Foundation of America's (LCFA) unique "Day at the Races" event at Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 on Sunday, July 26, 2015 from 1 PM – 6 PM.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150722/239786
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150722/239787
Mr. Diamont is a longtime star on "The Bold and The Beautiful." On Feb. 7, 2011, during the 6,000th episode, the show featured several real-life lung cancer survivors, including LCFA advocate and lung cancer survivor Dr. Michael Weitz. The show's special lung cancer storyline was recognized for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of lung cancer. Mr. Diamont, together with other special guests, will help to bring attention to lung cancer, which remains the most under-funded and under-researched cancer despite being the USA's number one cancer killer for both men and women.
"Don's participation in the fight against lung cancer means so much to LCFA, and particularly to the millions of people who have been deeply affected by lung cancer. There are, sadly, few survivors to stand up and speak out in support of research funding for lung cancer because of an overall 5-year survival rate of only 17%," said Kim Norris, a lung cancer widow and the president and co-founder of LCFA.
Diamont added, "If my participation can assist in any way, I'm happy to help."
Norris continued, "The role of friends in the entertainment community, like Don, is incredibly important in bringing attention to lung cancer. We hope that Don's involvement will inspire others to join us, because together we can impact research, which means hope will continue to grow."
Past participants in LCFA's Day at the Races event include Susan Flannery, Valerie Harper, Elliott Gould, Tim Conway, Jr., and Chris Draft.
Racing fans will learn that lung cancer is the USA's primary cause of cancer death, killing almost twice as many women as breast cancer and three times as many men as prostate cancer. Lung cancer's poor survival rate is a direct result of the lack of funding for lung cancer research. Approximately 60% of new lung cancer diagnoses will be in non-smokers – a combination of 45-50% former smokers (many who quit 10, 20, even 30 years prior to the onset of lung cancer) and 15% of people who have never smoked. Lung cancer is the only cancer that stigmatizes its victims – somehow society believes that lung cancer victims bring it upon themselves. Fans will be introduced to lung cancer supporters like Don, as well as LCFA — an organization that exists to advocate for research funding.
LCFA's "Day at the Races," a family-friendly day, will feature a special "Breath Of Life" race to support lung cancer research and help educate the public about this disease. For tax deductible tickets, which include great food and beverages, spectacular racing views and concierge betting service in the exclusive Il Palio Restaurant Patio, visit: http://www.lcfamerica.org/DATR15.html
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LCFA's "Day at the Races" event is the brainchild of lung cancer survivor and LCFA advocate Paula Friendly. Paula's late husband, Hollywood producer Ed Friendly (co-producer of "Laugh-In," "Little House on the Prairie" among others) established the Thoroughbred Owners of California in 1993 and was president of California's Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. Paula remains involved with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and maintains her friendship with track President and CEO Joe Harper, and his wife Barbara.
The Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA) was established by two lung cancer survivors and a lung cancer widow. Despite their varied backgrounds, they all arrived at the same realization – the poor survival rate for lung cancer is a direct result of the lack of funding for lung cancer research. Working with many of the top lung cancer researchers and clinicians in the country, they have observed how these experts attempt to diligently unlock the secrets unique to lung cancer. They have also witnessed the inordinate amount of time researchers spend trying to secure funding for the research, which distracts them from their primary research function. The abysmal state of funding also discourages new lung cancer researchers who, instead, gravitate to well-funded programs. LCFA's mission is the dramatic improvement in survivorship of lung cancer patients through the funding of transformative science, with the ultimate goal of curing the disease. To accomplish this, LCFA works to raise both the funds and the national profile of lung cancer in order to substantially increase support for innovative and groundbreaking research efforts. http://www.lcfamerica.org.
Contact: Rachel Schwartz/PR AdvantEDGE, Inc.
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