Minnetonka Vigil Aims To Set New World Record of the Longest Glowstick Chain

The following was released by the American Lung Association:

G&K Services in Minnetonka are hosting a glowstick vigil to honor Margaret Stenger, a fellow employee who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, with the hopes of breaking the Guinness World Record.

Currently, 4,500 glow sticks is the longest lit glowstick chain. In addition to breaking a record, the employees hope to increase lung cancer awareness. The vigil is Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. outside the corporate office of G&K Services, 5995 Opus Parkway in Minnetonka. For more information or to sign up for the event, go here.

Maggie was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer earlier this month. She is a non-smoker who is very conscientious about her health. Upon hearing the news, Maggie’s manager, Sheila Lenss, G&K vice president, set plans into motion for “Maggie’s Light” to be held during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

“The biggest thing she needs is help to keep a positive attitude and continue to feel the love and support of those around her,” said Lenss.

The causes of lung cancer include cigarette smoke, radon exposure, industrial exposures to hazardous materials like asbestos and arsenic; even some genetic factors pose a lung cancer risk. The American Lung Association encourages low dose CT screening to detect lung cancer early in patients at risk.

“What many people do not realize is that anyone can get lung cancer,” explained Penny Fena, executive director of the American Lung Association in Minnesota.  “Lung cancer has a bad reputation as a smoker’s disease, but the American Lung Association is working to raise awareness for this number one cancer killer to let people know that not only smokers are at risk.”

Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in both women and men and is the leading cause of cancer death in the country. Lung cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in America. The five-year survival rate of less than 16 percent continues to be substantially lower than that seen for other major cancers such as breast, colon and prostate cancer, each at 90 percent or greater.

This month, the American Lung Association launched a new web-based portal that offers information, guidance and support for those living with lung cancer and their loved ones.