WHEREAS, about every two minutes, a person in the United States is diagnosed with lung cancer; and

WHEREAS, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women and men; and

WHEREAS, although new case rates have dropped significantly in recent years, Maine still has the 5th highest lung cancer incidence rate in the country and an estimated 965 Mainers will be diagnosed this year alone; and

WHEREAS, lung cancer screening saves lives, and advocacy and increased awareness will result in more high-risk individuals getting screened; and

WHEREAS, Maine has the 5th best screening rate in the country at 9.2 percent, but to increase survival rates through early detection more Maine people must be screened; and

WHEREAS, public support for research funding will result in new treatments and better methods of early detection; and

WHEREAS, the American Lung Association celebrates 120 years of impact in 2024 including the 40th Anniversary of the Trek Across Maine; and

WHEREAS, 2024 marks 10 years of LUNG FORCE, the national initiative led by the American Lung Association to defeat lung cancer;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of May 6-12, 2024 as

Lung Cancer Action Week

in Maine, and I encourage all Maine people to learn more about lung cancer and its risk factors and to take part in critical lifesaving screening.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this ninth day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Four