Laura Dern has been a partner and friend to the American Lung Association since 2015 through our LUNG FORCE initiative. Her story has been tied to lung cancer since she was a child. From her grandfather passing away from the disease when she was six, to her dear family friend Valerie Harper who passed away last year. She also became close to the writer Cheryl Strayed when she portrayed her mother in the film adaptation of the book Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Dern received an Oscar nomination for her role in that film and wore turquoise on the red carpet in honor of LUNG FORCE. She has joined us many times over the years to help raise awareness about the leading cancer killer.
In 2020, she joined us to raise awareness about the respiratory issue that has affected us all: COVID-19. Through our COVID-19 Action Initiative, Dern helped raise awareness of the life-threatening infection that attacks the lungs and support the 36 million Americans who live with asthma, COPD and lung cancer who are more susceptible to severe complications from COVID-19.
During our #Act4Impact Telethon, Dern announced her commitment to the American Lung Association’s mission as an Advisor to our National Board of Directors. Through her ambassadorship, she will help us lean into initiatives that help support communities that are adversely affected by lung disease and help us educate the public on how they can better protect their lung health.
