Sacred Breath Day
The American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF) celebrates our annual Sacred Breath event during November’s National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death for Native people; our communities also have the highest smoking rate in the nation.
Throughout the month, AICAF aims to improve lung health in our communities by:
• Raising awareness of lung cancer disparities in Indian Country
• Encouraging community members to engage in healthy lung practices, like getting screened
or participating in traditional activities or movement
• Keeping traditional tobacco sacred through the promotion of commercial tobacco avoidance
and cessation
Sacred Breath Virtual Run
AICAF is proud to announce its inaugural Sacred Breath Virtual Run to be held during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Our first-ever charity run is in collaboration with Red Earth Running Co. and will be held virtually Nov. 14-21, 2021. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death for Native people, and Indigenous communities smoke commercial tobacco at higher rates than any other racial/ethnic group. AICAF and Red Earth Running Co. are reminding our relatives that breath is sacred, and movement improves our mental, spiritual, and physical health while also reducing our risk of cancer.
Our Sacred Breath Virtual Run will include options for walking or running, with distance goals ranging from one mile to a half marathon. Participants can choose any day from Nov. 14-21 to take part, ensuring all relatives have time to join us in celebrating sacred breath. Visit our Run Signup page and our event website for more information!
Follow our Facebook page for updates on the Sacred Breath Virtual Run. Visit Red Earth Running Co.’s website for more information on what a virtual run entails. Registration is open on RunSignup until midnight on Nov. 13. All participants will receive a packet with a custom Sacred Breath Virtual Run t-shirt and bib. Proceeds from the virtual run support AICAF’s mission to eliminate cancer burdens of Indigenous people through improved access to prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivor support!
