The American Lung Association has applauded the performance of Laura Dern as a lung cancer patient in the film “Wild,” as well as the actress’ recent nomination for an Academy Award. In the movie adaption of the 2012 memoir of Cheryl Strayed, Laura Dern plays the mother of Strayed, Bobbi Lambrecht, who was diagnosed with lung cancer and ended up dying seven months after.
The association aimed not only to congratulate the actress on her work and the Academy’s recognition of her talent, but also to support the notion that the film helps raise awareness about lung cancer and their LUNG FORCE initiative. During the night of the Oscars, both Dern and Strayer wore statement jewelry with the color of the initiative, turquoise, on the red carpet, while Dern also wore a turquoise dress from Badgley Mischka at the Vanity Fair After-Party.
“When I first got involved in the project, I was so moved by Cheryl and her mother’s story,” said the actress Laura Dern in a press release. “And after researching the role, I was shocked to learn that lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of women, but only one percent of women say lung cancer is even on their radar. That’s why I’m asking all women to unite and share their voices to fight this deadly disease. Go to LUNGFORCE.org to see how you can get involved.”
The movie is an adaption of the real story of Strayed’s family and their fight with lung cancer. Cheryl Strayed is particularly engaged in the project and in advocating for the disease. “I know very personally how lung cancer affects women — no one should have to lose their mother the way I did. That’s why I feel an obligation to help unite all women so we can — one day — defeat this disease,” she said.
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The LUNG FORCE initiative from the American Lung Association, co-presented in the United States by CVS Health, is dedicated to helping women suffering from lung cancer, making the disease a public health priority, altering policies regarding the disease, and raising the levels of funding to research. Lung cancer has already exceeded breast cancer as a cause of death in women and it is estimated to kill over 71,000 women in the country this year alone.
“Cheryl’s very moving story embodied by Laura’s breakthrough performance in ‘Wild’ is a powerful reminder of the need to fight this deadly disease,” said the national president and CEO of the American Lung Association, Harold Wimmer. “Through this, we aim to continue to raise awareness of lung cancer and, ultimately, defeat lung cancer. The time for change is now.”
Laura Dern is not the first celebrity to join the American Lung Association’s movement to raise awareness and funds to support the battle against lung cancer in women, as the actress and author Valerie Harper, the Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel, the Grammy-nominated country music star Kellie Pickler, and Mackena Bell have partnered to support the cause. Each celebrity recently launched an online fundraising campaign against lung cancer.