August of 2005 my father was diagnosed with throat cancer - and thank heavens he was - because it was during a recent routine PET scan that his team of oncologists discovered the early stages of lung cancer. Without that routine scan available to patients already diagnosed with cancer, my non-smoking father would not have had a fighting chance.

My good friend, Gary Zollinger, wasn't so lucky.

On April 29, 2004, anyone who know the Zollinger family was about to have their lives changed forever. Having never smoked a day in his life, Gary was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. The biopsy and CT scan revealed the disease which had gone undetected for years. Despite his heroic efforts, Gary passed away September 9, 2007.

Because symptoms usually do not occur until late stages, it is difficult to treat and cure. For this reason, it would be an enormous understatement to say that there is a great need for early detection screening.

Even in the face of spiking rises in non-smoking related lung cancer deaths, most people who see their doctors for respiratory related problems and are not smokers are routinely checked off the list from receiving any form of screening. It also does not help that most health insurance companies will not cover the cost of early detection screening of patients who are not smokers.

But lung cancer is no longer a smoker's only concern.

Determined to make a difference and show the "new face" of lung cancer, before his death, Gary and his wife, Thelissa, established the Gary L. and Thelissa Zollinger Early Detection of Lung Cancer Endowment Fund with the University of Colorado Foundation. Working in conjunction with the University of Colorado Cancer Center, this fund was created to support the critical research needed for early detection of lung cancer.

They also organized a community event to spread the word and educate the masses. With the help of many people and businesses, the Gift of Life and Breath Race was launched last year with over 300 runners. This last weekend, May 17 th, 2008, that number more than doubled. Hundreds came out en mass to participate. It was an awe inspiring experience; one which brought hope that one day early detection of lung cancer will be as easily accessible as a mammogram.

It was Gary's vision of this race, and Thelissa's monumental resolve to continue that vision, that offers the greatest hope - the advantage of early lung cancer detection.

Join me in supporting The Gift of Life and Breath by visiting http://www.thegiftoflifeandbreath.com/photos.php

Shannon M. Gish