WHEREAS, the month of November 2009 has been declared National Lung Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, approximately 17,790 Floridians will learn they have lung cancer this year; and

WHEREAS, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, claiming the lives of approximately 452 people a day nationwide, and

WHEREAS, lung cancer will kill over three times as many men as prostate cancer and nearly twice as many women as breast cancer; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no standard screening for lung cancer, and funding for lung cancer medical research falls far short of that for other diseases; and

WHEREAS, Moffitt Cancer Center is a national leader in the treatment and research of lung cancer, offering a comprehensive range of state-of-the art treatments and innovative treatments; and

WHEREAS, the Thoracic Oncology Program at the Moffitt Cancer Center is dedicated to contributing to the prevention and cure of cancer and to informing and helping people living with lung cancer or at risk for the disease; and

WHEREAS, Orange County is similarly committed to the eradication of lung cancer and supports the treatment of its citizens who suffer from this disease and the advancement of clinical research in this field; and

WHEREAS, Orange County encourages public and private efforts to enhance research funding and education programs that address lung cancer and promote wide access to the latest treatments;

NOW THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners, Orange County Florida, that Orange County Government joins with Moffitt Cancer Center in designating the month of November 2009 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month to bring public awareness to the severity of this disease and to encourage participation in voluntary activities to support education programs and the funding of research programs to find a cure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution is adopted in honor of all Orange County families impacted by lung cancer today, and in honor of Joan Tashbar, an Orange County resident and passionate lung cancer advocate.

DONE AND ORDERED this 27th day of October, 2009.