Paula Blonski of Northbrook headed a team of walkers for the ARDS Foundation to raise funds and awareness for acute respiratory distress syndrome and other lung diseases. ARDS Foundation team members joined more than 800 people Sunday, September 25, for the fifth annual Hike for Lung Health. The event, hosted by Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, will raise more than $100,000 in support of 12 local lung health organizations.

Lung disease is the nation's third leading killer, affecting more than one million people in metropolitan Chicago alone. Hike for Lung Health proceeds support lung disease research, advocacy and education programs. Many of the walkers participated in honor or in memory of individuals affected by lung disease, such as Paula's sister Marybeth, who passed away from ARDS in 1998.

Paula said that at the time Marybeth passed away, there was little information on ARDS. She wanted to change that and co-founded the ARDS Foundation in 2000 with Eileen Rubin, a survivor. Now, Paula said she is always overwhelmed by the support she gets each year at Hike for Lung Health.

Donate or learn more at http://www.lungchicago.org/hike/.