Pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive disease that causes scarring of the lungs, affects approximately 128,000 Americans and kills approximately 40,000 each year.
The numbers are comparable to those of breast cancer, but little is known about the disease.
Two Johnstown women are hoping to change that by raising money for research.
"We just want to raise awareness of the disease," said Candie Rievel. "We just really want to give people hope. We are just hoping to bring hope to people who are going through something like that."
Candie and her mother Jerrie Schell are looking to raise $2,000 during Breathing for Dean, a fundraiser to pay tribute to Dean Schell, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, singer, barber, community member and victim of the disease.
"He was very courageous," said Dean's wife, Jerrie. "He put up a great fight. He loved his family, his customers, his barbershop."
Dean was diagnosed in 2001. He died in 2008 after battling the disease for seven years.
"The life expectancy is five years once you are diagnosed," Candie said. "He lived another two years."
The disease can progress quickly or over months or years, according to www.coalitionforpf.org.
"One day he was OK, the next day he was on oxygen," Jerrie said.
The Jan. 31 fundraiser falls on the one-year anniversary of Dean's death.
"It gives us something to do to honor him," Candie said, adding that they hope it will be an annual event. "(Dean) would want it to be to help people with this disease."
The fundraiser, which will be held 7 p.m. Jan 31 at the Arbutus Church of the Brethren, will feature a gospel concert.
"We sang together as a family for years," Candie said.
Candie, Jerrie and Brittani Hillegass will be singing at the event. Tony Arcuri will be playing the banjo. The event will also feature Tire Hill Church of the Brethren Choir, Suzie Moss as vocalist, Ashley Kobaugh on the piano and Kay Fritz on the organ. Jerrie also will be playing a selection.
The fundraiser is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Donations can also be made by going to www.coalitionforpf.org. Click on the "Contribute Today" icon and type Rievel in the search a fundraiser portion.
For more information about pulmonary fibrosis, go to www.coalitionforpf.org.
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