Lung Cancer Survivors will Rise Up and Run with the Atlanta Falcons

October 18, 2014

Lung Cancer Survivors will Rise Up and Run with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta, GA. Lung cancer survivor-advocates Linda Wortman and Kristen Carlton will run in the Atlanta Falcons Rise Up and Run 5K Saturday morning. They will be cheered on by Team Draft Co-Founder and Former Atlanta Falcon Chris Draft and Kiersten Dickson, a local 20 year old lung cancer survivor. 
Linda Wortman: 
My name is Linda Wortman and I’m a nonsmoker. I flew for Northwest Airlines for 35 years. I began my career in 1973. January 11, 2008, I was diagnosed with non small cell Lung Cancer. I never realized the unknown devastating health risks associated with second hand smoke! Do you? Two years prior to my diagnosis, I questioned, Do I have SARS or TB?... My local doctors office would just send me home with a ZPac Rx, for my annoying cough & choking symptoms. Also saying, “You don’t need a chest x-ray”! ... My physical exam at Mayo Clinic is where I finally found the answers.
Thanks to the grace of God, my loving husband Jerry and wonderful medical care at Mayo Clinic, I am a lung cancer survivor.
Kristen Carlton: 
I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Lung Cancer in July 2013. I had no symptoms, but my tumor showed up on a CT done for kidney stones. On Aug 14, 2013, I had my tumor and left lower lobe removed. Fortunately, my cancer was caught early and had not spread to my lymph nodes. Now 11-weeks post surgery, I am training to run my third half-marathon. I am determined to finish. I am also determined to help raise awareness for this horrible disease.

Team Draft's goals are to create a unique experience for participating survivors and to raise awareness on a local, national, and international level by using each game and each survivor’s story to weave a broader narrative about the state of cancer and the hope that now exists for those battling the disease.

Donate now to Support the National Campaign to Change the Face of Lung Cancer! www.teamdraft.org