The American Lung Association is pleased to announce that Arthur E. Benjamin, Gail Worth, and Ari Rifkin will chair the 12th Annual Breath of Life Luncheon to be held at The Breakers, Tuesday, February 18, 2014.

“We are so honored to have these esteemed individuals who are well respected by their peers and are leaders in the community serve as chairmen this year, “ said Cariann Moore, Area Director of the Lung Association of Florida’s Southeast office. “It is through them, that we can continue to ‘Fight for Air’ and increase lung health awareness in our community.”

Arthur E. Benjamin, an entrepreneur, international investor and philanthropist with local ties and a home in South Florida, is joining us as chair for his first year. Benjamin is a long-standing supporter of the American Lung Association, and works tirelessly to support education, animal rescue and breast cancer research, as well as mentoring through strategic business partnerships. He is the founder and president of two non-profits, the Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation and American Dog Rescue, and finds himself traveling throughout the country supporting various local, national and international charities and organizations that help benefit current and future generations. It is Arthur’s hope that lung disease patients will be able to breathe easier with the support of fundraising events like the Life Luncheon.

Gail Worth has served as chair for the event over the past several years. Gail has a personal connection to the mission as her mother passed away from lung cancer several years ago. She is determined to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from lung disease as well as their families who support them by raising awareness and much needed funding for life saving programs and services.

Ari Rifkin is returning as chair for the event as well. Rifkin is an extremely dedicated ambassador for the Lung Association as well as a philanthropic leader in the community. It is her dream that together, we can work toward better lung disease diagnostics and a cure for lung cancer.

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Proceeds benefit the American Lung Association of Florida’s programs, education, research, and advocacy efforts in the Southeast area. Your generous support will help us accomplish our mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. For more information on the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org. When you join the American Lung Association in the fight for healthy lungs and healthy air, you help save lives today and keep America healthy tomorrow.

For more information, please contact Lea Tate, Development Manager at 561-640-9504 or ltate@lungfla.org.