LUNG FORCE Walk Hudson Valley Brings Awareness, Hope to Fight Against Lung Cancer

The American Lung Association’s 11th annual walk takes place June 13 at Manhattanville University in Purchase.

The American Lung Association is inviting the Hudson Valley community to come together for the 2026 LUNG FORCE Walk Hudson Valley, an annual event raising money for lung cancer research, early detection, education, advocacy and support services for people living with lung disease.

The walk takes place Saturday, June 13, at Manhattanville University in Purchase. This year marks the 11th annual Hudson Valley walk, with organizers expecting more than 600 participants.

Lisa Birdzy, development director with the American Lung Association, told WJFF Radio Catskill that the event brings together families, survivors, caregivers, medical professionals and community members around a disease that continues to affect many lives.

“The walk raises critical funds for the American Lung Association to end lung cancer and lung disease through research, education, advocacy and patient support,” Birdzy said.

The day begins with registration, live music, exhibitors and activities from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The walk begins at 11 a.m., with a closing ceremony, raffle announcements and barbecue planned for noon. Birdzy said the event is family-friendly and open to all ages.

Over the years, the Hudson Valley walk has grown along with awareness around lung health. Birdzy said last year’s 10th anniversary event marked a major milestone, with the walk crossing $1 million raised over its first decade.

This year’s medical honoree is Dr. Brendon M. Stiles, professor and chief of thoracic surgery and surgical oncology at Montefiore Einstein and associate director for surgical services at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Stiles said the recognition is meaningful, but that the focus belongs on patients and caregivers.

“We’re doing this for the patients and for their caregivers,” Stiles said. “Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and everybody knows somebody who’s been touched with lung cancer.”

For Stiles, the issue is also personal. His father, a dairy farmer in Virginia, died after being diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in his early 60s. Stiles said that was before many of today’s advances in screening, targeted therapy and immunotherapy were widely available.

“To think about the progress that we’ve made since my dad passed away is another great reason to go out and walk,” he said.

Stiles said early detection remains one of the most important tools in improving outcomes. He said lung cancer screening, including CT scans for eligible patients, can help identify cancer earlier, when treatment can be more effective.

“If we can find lung cancer early, then I as a surgeon can really cure people,” Stiles said.

He also encouraged people with lung nodules or questions about screening eligibility to speak with their physicians.

A major message from this year’s walk is fighting the stigma around lung cancer. Stiles said many people still associate the disease only with smoking, but that does not reflect the full picture.

“There’s an incredible stigma associated with it,” he said. “The first question patients often get asked is, ‘Well, how much did you smoke?’ And we don’t do that kind of blame game for any other cancer.”

Stiles said about one in five lung cancer patients he sees were never smokers. He said environmental factors, genetic risk factors and other causes can also play a role.

“Anybody with lungs can get lung cancer,” he said.

Stiles also pointed to major progress in treatment, including biomarker-driven care. He said doctors now know lung cancer is not one single disease, but can include different subtypes with specific molecular signatures. Some cancers can be treated with targeted drugs, while others may respond to immunotherapy.

“We’ve never had better tools to treat lung cancer,” Stiles said. “We just need to find it.”

The fundraising goal for this year’s Hudson Valley walk is $200,000. Birdzy said the money supports research, patient programs, education and advocacy. She said 98 cents of every dollar raised by the American Lung Association goes toward its mission.

Registration for the LUNG FORCE Walk Hudson Valley is free and available online at lungforce.org/hudsonvalley until Friday, June 12, at 1 p.m. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event. Participants can walk individually, form a team, volunteer or donate.

Birdzy said the broader goal is to keep lung health on people’s radar and encourage more conversations with doctors.

“While the statistics around lung cancer are very serious, there is a lot of hope,” Birdzy said. “There are advancements in detection and treatment, and more people are surviving lung cancer than ever before.”

The LUNG FORCE Walk Hudson Valley takes place Saturday, June 13, at Manhattanville University in Purchase. Registration and more information are available at lungforce.org/hudsonvalley.