Kathryn Joosten of ‘Desperate Housewives’ shines her Emmy-nominee spotlight on lung cancer research

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Ask Kathryn Joosten about lung cancer. Go ahead. After all, the Emmy-nominated ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress has survived it -- twice.

‘Lung cancer continues to be the least funded in dollars of the four major cancers,’ Joosten said, ‘yet it takes more lives than all of them combined.’ To battle that, Joosten and 8-year-old lung cancer survivor Gabby Wilson will be on the oceanfront in Santa Monica on Saturday morning leading a walk/run to benefit lung cancer research.

Joosten was a 45-year smoker -- she kicked the habit in 2001 when she was first diagnosed -- but people like Gabby and Jill Costello (see the video at the end of this post) are a reminder that lung cancer doesn’t limit itself to those with a smoking habit. ‘I hope the public will begin to see that the stigma attached to this is incorrect in every way,’ Joosten said.

‘I hope the public can see that people with lung cancer do survive.’

Still, the two-time Emmy winner had something to tell E! Online on Saturday with regard to ‘Mad Men,’ a show that unfolds each week amid a cloud of Lucky Strike smoke.

‘I think they should at least have a disclaimer at the front of the show saying smoking is relevant to the time and place with the subject matter we’re dealing with,’ but that it causes cancer. ‘They should at least do that.’ The 5K walk/run, presented by the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, with awards and a celebration to follow. Registration is open until 7:30 a.m. the day of the event -- click here for more information.

-- Christie D’Zurilla