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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).
August 29, 2003 Number 103
Content:
ASSOCIATION FUNDS 21 RESEARCHERS HOPING TO SOMEDAY FIND CURE
The American Lung Association of California recently funded 21 researchers who are hoping to make important discoveries that could someday lead to better treatments and possibly even a cure.
More than $725,000 was awarded through the American Lung Association of California's peer-reviewed scientific research program, including two Pulmonary Nurse Scholarships. Every year the association grants up to $50,000 to research projects that meet its guidelines and up to $6,000 to master's level nursing students who are pursuing careers in pulmonary care. The American Lung Association primarily funds basic research, which forms the building blocks for future discoveries.
This year's projects include studies into the mechanisms of inflammation and excess mucus production, two major components of lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One project is studying how cigarette smoke triggers coughing in children. Another is looking at air pollutants and other environmental factors and their effects on asthma. Four of the projects are focused on lung cancer.
You can invest in lung disease research through your 2003 California state income tax form by making a donation to the Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund. Monies raised through the fund support the American Lung Association of California's research program.
For more information, visit http://www.californialung.org/press/030827funding.html or contact Laura Keegan, MPH, at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan [at] alac [dot] org.
COUNTDOWN TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE; SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
The countdown is on to this year's American Lung Association of California Annual Conference. Set for September 18 through 20 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento, the conference will Capitalize on Our Strengths and bring us together for a quality learning experience. A daylong pre-conference training for the Asthma Friendly Schools Initiative is set for September 18.
Every year the American Lung Association of California awards scholarships to volunteers and staff from around the state who apply to help cover the cost of attending the annual conference. This year, scholarships were awarded to Calvin Crane, Sandra Eaton, Chuck Sant1Agata and Susie Rico from Central California; Robert Carr and Christina Sotelo from the Central Coast; Paul Fletcher from the East Bay; Lisa Plank from the Kern Branch; Rebecca Pimentel and Glenn Maddalon from Orange County; Jenny Bard, Barbara Beedon, and Pamela Granger from the Redwood Empire Branch; Bonnie Eastman from Sacramento-Emigrant Trails; Linda Weiner from San Francisco & San Mateo Counties; Jayne Brechwald from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties; David Dias from Santa Clara-San Benito Counties; Patty Davis and Elaine Lucero from the Superior Branch; and Darlene DeMarco from the Valley Lode Branch.
For a complete description of conference sessions, download the conference program at http://www.californialung.org/ALAC/conference.html.
For more information, contact Laura Keegan, MPH, at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan [at] alac [dot] org.
WALKS BLOW THE WHISTLE ON ASTHMA IN OCTOBER
Californians are preparing to Blow the Whistle on Asthma in October and raise much-needed funds for asthma. Upcoming Asthma Walks are scheduled for October 4 in Redding and Saratoga; October 5 in Irvine, Riverside and Santa Rosa; October 12 in San Diego; and October 18 in Emeryville and San Francisco.
Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walks are held nationwide and are designed to help the estimated 10 million people who have had an asthma attack this year, raise funds for important research and programs, reduce the soaring economic costs of asthma, and provide an opportunity for the community to join together and fight the asthma epidemic.
For more information about Asthma Walks in California, visit http://www.lungusa.org/asthmawalk/map_ca.html or call your local American Lung Association at 1.800.LUNG.USA.
SYMPOSIUM FOCUSES ON HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR QUALITY
The American Lung Association of California is launching a new project to build a network of health organizations in California interested in air pollution issues thanks to funding from The Energy Foundation. An Air Pollution and Health Effects Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The symposium is designed for statewide health organizations and public health agencies. It will offer the most recent scientific information linking air pollution to human health.
The project is part of the American Lung Association of California's effort to reduce air pollution and improve public health. The $100,000 grant will also fund the Clean Fleets Program and the ongoing efforts of local associations to encourage public and private fleet managers to purchase cleaner fueled vehicles.
For more information, contact Vandana Bali at 415.775.1065 or vbali [at] alac [dot] org.
ONLINE FREEDOM FROM SMOKING FEATURED ON LIFETIME TELEVISION
A successful participant in the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking online program will be featured on "Speaking of Women's Health," a talk show on Lifetime Television. Mim Drew quit smoking through the program and will talk about it on a segment focused on smoking and women's health. "Speaking of Women's Health" is hosted by Florence Henderson, Juju Chang, and Dr. Winnie King. The show will air at 11:30 a.m. on September 27 and November 27 in all time zones. For details, check local listings or visit http://www.lifetimetv.com/cgi/scripts/tv_byshow.pl?show=speaking. For information about the free online Freedom From Smoking Program, visit: http://californialung.org/press/030529ffs_psas.html.
Drew will also be featured in the November 2003 issue of Better Homes & Gardens.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
CONFERENCE OPENS PANDORA'S BOX ON LUNG DISEASE
Lung health experts from around the nation will meet in Ventura on October 3 and 4 for the 22nd Annual Pandora's Box of Pulmonary Medicine sponsored by the California Thoracic Society in collaboration with the American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The conference will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Ventura Harbor, and Continuing Medical Education credits are offered.
The conference is designed for physicians, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, social workers and emergency room personnel. Topics include; Asthma: Recent Advances in Rx; New Modes of Assisted Ventilation: Do They Improve Patient-Ventilatory Synchrony?; Asthma and Asthma Mimics; Ventilatory Management of ARDS; The Use of NPPV and Heliox in the Management of Acute Exacerbations of COPD and Severe Asthma; Pulmonary Hypertension; Off the Wall Treatment of Asthma; Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Lung Disease; Alternative Therapies for Sleep Disorders: Antidepressants, OTC sleep aids and Herbal Remedies; Closed Loop Ventilation; and History of Asthma.
For registration and information, contact Donna Pearson-Beal at 805.963.1426 or donna [at] lungsbvc [dot] org.
CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA NEED ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
Concerned that all students with asthma receive the proper medication during school hours, the American Lung Association of California urged the California State Board of Education to adopt a policy ensuring that children with asthma have access to their medications. A public hearing was held on August 7 to discuss proposed regulations and the association submitted a letter encouraging the Board to set a strong policy.
The proposed regulations, while intended to clarify the existing code that allows for medications in schools, still allow for too much interpretation on the part of local education agencies.
The letter offered the support of the American Lung Association of California and the California Thoracic Society in implementing any regulations adopted by the Board. "However, if this approach proves to be too permissive and does not result in the changes necessary to protect students, we will work to strengthen the law and make sure that these critically important regulations become requirements," it stated.
For more information, contact Laura Keegan, MPH, at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan [at] alac [dot] org.
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