Our History

The Lung Disease Foundation of Central Pennsylvania (LDF) is dedicated to inform, empower and educate individuals on how to improve all aspects of lung health. To accomplish this, the Lung Disease Foundation partners with community businesses and organizations, their staff and volunteers to raise awareness of lung health issues, and assist with lung cancer patients and their families’ needs.

Every November during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the Foundation works especially hard to raise funds and contributions to enable the Foundation to continue their programs. Educational materials are distributed and events are held with presentations by the Lung Disease Center of Central PA (LDC) physicians. Thanks to a special partnership with Applebee’s in the Logan Valley Mall, our “Dining To Donate” event takes place on Tuesdays in November with 15% of the diners’ meal checks donated to the Foundation.

The “Beacon of Light on Lung Cancer Walk” is held every August as the kick off to “Health-O-Rama”. Walkers from across the Central Pennsylvania region join the Foundation to raise money by signing sponsors and then walking inside the Logan Valley Mall for two hours prior to the health fair beginning. Every year the walk has continued to receive strong community involvement and participation, and is the Foundation’s largest fund raiser.

The Foundation has had great success with the Lung Cancer Early Detection Program and we’re excited about the Foundation being named Tobacco Control Service Provider for Blair and Bedford Counties. Through the Tobacco Control Service Provider Grant, the Foundation is using a comprehensive approach in delivering tobacco control programs including prevention, quitting and eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke.

Over 158,000 Americans died from Lung Cancer in 2015 and many others suffer from this terrible disease. More people die of lung cancer each year than breast, prostate, colon and pancreas cancers combined. Often, by the time you see the symptoms, there is little chance to do any type of surgical removal, which is the only know reliable cure.

The Lung Disease Foundation, a 501c(3) nonprofit foundation founded by Dr. George M. Zlupko, is located at the Lung Disease Center of Central Pennsylvania in Altoona, PA. We are always looking for volunteers and new ideas on how to raise funds for this very important cause.