(May 18, 2009) More than 800 people registered and 600 people finished the race to end lung cancer at the Gift of Life and Breath 5K May 16 at Anschutz Medical Center. So far, more than $17,000 has been raised by the event to promote early detection of lung cancer, organizers say.

The Gift of Life and Breath race this year commemorated Gary Zollinger and the 150,000 others who die each year from lung cancer, with hopes of raising awareness and generating funding for continued research of this leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Although never a smoker, Zollinger was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2004 at the University of Colorado Cancer Center on the Anschutz Medical Campus. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately, a rare double lung transplant at the University of Colorado Hospital on May 19, 2006. Zollinger lost his battle with lung cancer Sept. 9, 2007, leaving behind his wife Thelissa and six children.

Lung cancer causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths and will kill more people this year than breast, prostate, colon and kidney cancers and melanoma combined. Approximately 170,000 people are newly diagnosed each year with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Presently, there are no standard screening tests for early lung cancer detection, which serve as the best method for beating the disease. However, the University of Colorado Cancer Center is currently targeting research efforts. Find out more about the Gift of Life and Breath.