DEARBORN, Mich. - Mary Jo Grand is taking a series of steps this month to fight lung cancer - and she wants you to join her.

Grand, a lung cancer survivor and former fundraising events manager for the University of Michigan's Comprehensive Cancer Center, organized the second annual MJ Grand Breathe Easy 5K Walk and Dine fund-raiser to benefit lung cancer research at the University of Michigan. The event will be held Oct. 24.

Participants can enjoy a 5K walk along the scenic Rouge River Gateway Trails before meeting family and friends at Cheli's Chili Bar, located at 21918 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn, Mich., to enjoy an afternoon filled with music, Sunday football, a silent auction and various children's activities, including face painting.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser will support the U-M's Lung Cancer Research Program. Chris Chelios, former Detroit Red Wing defenseman and owner of Cheli's Chili Bar, will donate a portion of each diner's food bill received between noon and 4 p.m. on the day of the event toward the cause.

"In 2008, I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and the prognosis was grim. It is now two years later and I am inviting the community to team up with former Detroit Red Wing Chris Chelios and the University of Michigan Lung Cancer Research Program to symbolically walk all over lung cancer in an effort to raise funds and awareness for this disease," says Grand, committee chairwoman for the 2010 MJ Grand Breathe Easy 5K Walk and Dine. 

"Advancements in lung cancer, unfortunately, have been held back for decades due to lack of funding because of the stigma surrounding this disease. It's time to change that."

Each year, lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer and kills more men than prostate cancer, according to the Lung Cancer Alliance. More people die each year from lung cancer than melanoma and breast, prostate, colon, liver and kidney cancers combined. 

"There isn't a person I've talked to who doesn't know someone who has been affected by lung cancer. This is everyone's problem and the second annual MJ Grand Breathe Easy Walk and Dine is everyone's opportunity to support those affected by lung cancer by raising funds and awareness so that one day we can all breathe easy." 

Registration for the MJ Grand Breathe Easy 5K Walk and Dine begins at 10 a.m. at Cheli's Chili Bar in Dearborn.

For more information, visit breatheeasy.kintera.org or contact us at mjgrand@wowway.com or 734-620-5694. 

MJ Grand Breathe Easy 5K Walk and Dine

The MJ Grand Breathe Easy 5K Walk and Dine has been coordinated by a group of volunteers composed of family, friends and colleagues of Mary Jo Behen Grand, a lung cancer survivor, to support the University of Michigan Lung Cancer Research Program. A special thank you goes out to Chris Chelios, former Detroit Red Wing defenseman and owner of Cheli's Chili Bar, for sponsoring this event.

 Written by Heather Guenther