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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
April 4, 2005 Number 122
Content:
OPEN AIRWAYS FOR SCHOOLS
Is your local school district asthma-friendly? Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism and schools are a big part of fighting the asthma epidemic. Find out if your local school offers the American Lung Association's Open Airways For Schools asthma management program. For more information, call your local association at 1.800.LUNG.USA.
CALIFORNIA SEES RISE IN TB CASES IN 14 AREAS; CONFERENCE SET IN MAY
While tuberculosis (TB) cases dropped 3.3 percent nationwide and 7.4 percent in California overall, increases were seen in 14 California regions. The American Lung Association of California and local Lung Associations across the state joined public health advocates worldwide to mark World Stop TB Day on March 24. Thanks to numerous media interviews conducted by volunteer board member and TB Technical Advisory Group Chair Barbara Cole, RN, MSN, PHN, the statewide association called on California to avert a resurgence in the life-threatening disease that attacks the lungs by increasing funding for prevention and control efforts. For more information and local data, visit http://californialung.org/press/050324WorldTBDay.html or contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net. The California Tuberculosis Controllers Association will focus on reducing TB at its conference May 12-13. "Preventing TB Transmission in the 21st Century: New Tools" will be held at the Holiday Inn Bay Bridge in Emeryville. For more details and registration information, visit www.ctca.org . For more information, contact Judith Thigpen, MPH, at 510.540.3279 or jthigpen [at] ca [dot] dhs [dot] gov.
ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY LAUNCHES DURING DONATE LIFE MONTH
The American Lung Association of California is partnering with Donate Life California to launch the new organ and tissue donor registry on April 4 at www.donatelifecalifornia.org . After years of relying on an organ donor system wherein Californians affix a pink dot to their drivers’ licenses to indicate their donor status, the state will now have an online donor registry system thanks to legislation supported by the American Lung Association of California. Californians who want to be included in the donor database can register online at www.donatelifecalifornia.org beginning April 4, 2005. Each person who signs up for the Donate Life California registry has the potential to save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 50 others through tissue donation. For more information, contact Andy Weisser, at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
APRIL 14 CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON SMOKE-FREE HOUSING
As more Californians demand smoke-free housing, the American Lung Association of California's Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing is cosponsoring Smoke-Free Choice: A New Amenity in Multi-Unit Housing Conference on April 14 at the Davidson Conference Center at the University of Southern California. The $40 registration fee includes materials as well as breakfast, lunch and snacks. The association is working with a coalition of health agencies, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Tobacco Control and Prevention Program, Hispanic/Latino Tobacco Education Partnership, S.A.F.E. Smokefree Air For Everyone, Social Model Recovery Systems, Inc., Watts Healthcare Corporation, and the Public Health Institute’s Technical Assistance Legal Center. The conference is designed to educate policymakers, city housing department staff, property management companies and developers about the need for smoke-free housing, including health issues. For more information, contact Esther Schiller, Smoke-free Apartment House Registry, 818.363.4220 or smokefreeapartments [at] pacificnet [dot] net.
NEWS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS CIGARETTE BUTT BILL
The American Lung Association of California joined a news conference to focus on the Litter Reduction and Prevention Act, which would require cigarette manufacturers to pay a fee for each pack of cigarettes sold in California to offset costs to local and state government for litter cleanup, develop public education and outreach programs to raise awareness about the impact of cigarette litter, and fund tobacco cessation and prevention programs. There are approximately 4 million smokers in California who annually consume an estimated 1.2 billion packs of cigarettes, or approximately 22 billion cigarettes. Pollution and litter from these cigarettes and their remnants pose a significant and growing cost to taxpayers, public health and the environment. Volunteers and staff from across the state participated in the news conference, which was held during the association's Capitol Lobby Day. Assemblymember Fran Pavley and Senator Wesley Chesbro spoke about their legislation to reduce the burden of cigarette litter. For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org.
ADVANCES IN PULMONARY MEDICINE SCHEDULED FOR OAKLAND
The American Lung Association of the East Bay is offering a comprehensive seminar on lung disease titled: Advances in Pulmonary Medicine: Perspectives on Diagnosis and Treatment. The daylong conference will be held on April 20 at the Marriott Oakland City Center. Topics include Confronting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma and Pregnancy, Therapeutic Options for Sleep Apnea, and Environmental Influences on Lung Health. Continuing education credits are available. To view an agenda and register for the conference, visit http://www.alaebay.org/special_events.html#medical_conference. For more information, contact Trisha Robinson at 510.893.5474 or trobinson [at] alaebay [dot] org.
LINDA REGAN NAMED NATIONWIDE VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
Linda Regan, 54, walked in the door offering to volunteer for the American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch, in May, 2004. Unable to work, on oxygen 24 hours a day, and on the lung transplant waiting list, she wanted to use her time helping others who struggle to breathe. She began helping with Bike for Breath and Asthma Walk events, but she soon took over the Better Breathers Club program. Through her care, initiative, and compassion, she has built our Better Breathers Club program into an effective outreach program and increased attendance at meetings. More importantly, she has become the face and voice behind the American Lung Association, encouraging people with lung disease to get out and do more. She is a natural advocate for the association and for the services we offer. Visit http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=365901 to read more about this inspiring woman. For more information, contact Jenny Bard at 707.527.5864 or jbard [at] alac [dot] org.
RESEARCHER HOPES TO FIND BETTER TREATMENTS FOR INFLAMMATION
Ana Corbacho, Ph.D., thinks it's possible that inflammation in the lungs could one day be treated with hormone therapy. Her basic research into the role of hormones like prolactin could someday lead to better, more targeted treatments for people with lung diseases like asthma and emphysema. Lung inflammation causes the airways to restrict, making it difficult to breathe. "The role of prolactin hasn't been looked at very deeply in the respiratory system," says Corbacho, a researcher at the University of California, Davis, who was funded through the American Lung Association of California's research program. "I'm trying to understand the basics of how hormones interact in lung physiology and impact the inflammatory immune process." Californians can invest in the American Lung Association of California’s research program through their 2004 state income tax returns. The Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund is located under Contributions on the state tax form. For more information about the statewide research program, visit http://californialung.org/research/research.html or contact Kerlyn Chatelain-Graham at 510.638.5864, kcgraham [at] alac [dot] org.
INVEST IN RESEARCH THROUGH THE ASTHMA AND LUNG DISEASE RESEARCH FUND
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