Tag Archives: American Lung Association

Lung cancer survivor organizes day event on Blue Bridge for July 20

The July 20 fundraiser is organized by lung cancer survivor Savannah DeGraaf and will benefit the American Lung Association (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Families, yogis and music lovers are invited to a fun day event at the Blue Bridge Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Called The Breathe Deep on the Blue Bridgethe fundraiser will benefit the American Lung Association.

The event will feature a free 60-minute yoga flow on the Blue Bridge, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Yoga will be led by Malina Adler from Inner Alchemy and all levels are welcome.

Other activities include breath work, shopping local vendors, raffle prizes, music, refreshments and more. There is still time for community sponsors and vendors to get involved as well.

An unexpected tragedy

The event is organized by local lung cancer survivor Savannah DeGraaf, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 22.

“Anyone with lungs can suffer from lung cancer or lung disease, and I think the Lung Association does a great job with providing resources,” said DeGraaf. “After graduating college, a doctor found I had a tumor on my left lung that had likely been there for quite some time. Initially, the plan was to remove the lower left lobe, but due to the cancer cells in my lymph nodes, the tumor’s size and location, they removed the entire lung.

“It’s been a journey, and I’m grateful for my health and activity, which aided my recovery.”

A sense of community

Regarding her life post-diagnosis, DeGraaf is grateful she had the Lung Association’s resources to help her through her journey by providing her with a sense of community throughout the process.

“Getting involved with the events and the community made me feel less alone,” DeGraaf said. “That’s why this fundraising event is all to support the Lung Association and their mission to save lives and help people live a more healthy lifestyle.

“At the event, we’ll have lots of local vendors that support that healthy lifestyle, along with a yoga flow.”

Learn more!

To learn more about the event or to make a donation, click here.