NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Free to Breathe have announced a merger to make an even greater impact on closing the funding gap for lung cancer research. The New York State Attorney General approved the required merger documentation on September 30, 2017. The Lung Cancer Research Foundation name will be retained to best reflect the combined entity's shared mission: to improve lung cancer outcomes by funding research for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of lung cancer. By coming together, the organizations will combine resources, accelerate ongoing efforts already established separately and develop key synergies to further their impact on lung cancer research.

"As a lung cancer researcher, I know firsthand the significant impact both organizations have had on the lung cancer community," said Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Chair of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation's Board of Directors. "Over the last decade we have seen steady progress in the field of lung cancer research, which has led to improved patient outcomes."

Both the Lung Cancer Research Foundation and Free to Breathe have a long history of funding innovative, high-reward research across the spectrum of basic, clinical, and translational research with the potential to extend survival and improve quality of life for people with lung cancer. The newly expanded organization has funded a cumulative 332 grants, totaling more than $32 million, the highest amount of funding provided by a lung cancer research organization to date.
"By coming together, we can build upon the momentum we have established separately to expand our Scientific Grant Program and increase funding for lung cancer research," said Nancy M. Sanford, Executive Director, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. "We are proud of the research our organizations have funded thus far and are thrilled that we are uniting to increase our grant funding moving forward."

In addition to funding lung cancer research, the merged organization will focus on lung cancer awareness and education programs. The merged entity will also continue to host public events across the country. Free to Breathe's nationwide series of annual run/walk and yoga events will continue as the Free to Breathe Event Series.

Founded in 2005, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation funds novel lung cancer research that might otherwise go unfunded. Through its Scientific Grant Program, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation provides critical seed funding to U.S. and international investigators with groundbreaking ideas, helping establish proof of concept evidence to pave the way for additional funding.

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