In an effort to educate the community about lung cancer, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center is having a party – a Party With a Purpose. The event will be held on the Peoria riverfront September 4, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and is being organized by the Lung Cancer Center at OSF Saint Francis and will incorporate education into a fun filled family-friendly evening.

Party With a Purpose will feature face painting for kids, music by the West MacQueen Street band, and food and beverages available for purchase. State Senator Dave Koehler, whose father was affected by lung cancer, will be in attendance.

In addition, the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Center for Healthy Living, Central Illinois Radiological Associates, and the Illinois Lung Institute will have interactive booths with educational materials.

According to Kathi Copelen, Lung Cancer Center Coordinator, there is a stigma associated with lung cancer which she and her team are determined to break because lung cancer has the potential to affect anyone.

The Lung Cancer Center at OSF Saint Francis provides patients diagnosed with lung cancer a team approach to treatment. Specialty physicians bring together the latest technology, physician expertise, timely evaluation, treatment planning and ongoing follow-up care.