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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).
December 31, 2002 - Number 95
Content:
LINE 61 ON YOUR STATE INCOME TAX RETURN
CAROL BURNETT PROMOTES FREEDOM FROM SMOKINGR ONLINE
Comedian and world famous entertainer Carol Burnett is helping promote the American Lung Associationts Freedom From SmokingR Online program through a series of television and print public service announcements. Angelsmith production company donated the entire campaign.
"I was a smoker; I know how hard it is to quit," Burnett says in one of the public service announcements. "But Itve been smoke-free for over 20 years. It wasntt easy but there are a lot of things in life that are much harder."
Burnett knows all too well the pain smoking and lung cancer can cause. In January 2002 she lost her daughter Carrie, a longtime smoker, to lung cancer. Carrie Hamilton was only 38.
To reach out to others addicted to cigarettes, Burnett decided to help the American Lung Association raise awareness about the program by appearing in the public service announcements. The Freedom From SmokingR Online program is available to everyone anytime at no cost.
The public service announcements may be viewed at http://californialung.org/spotlight/video.html. You can also download the print ads at http://www.californialung.org/spotlight/ffs2002_ads.html.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] earthlink [dot] net.
CARB LIMITS IDLING TIMES FOR DIESEL BUSES AND TRUCKS
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) passed an important measure that limits idling times for school buses and other heavy-duty vehicles on or near school property. The American Lung Association of California and environmental groups strongly supported this measure to help protect children from the harmful effects of diesel exhaust and other toxic emissions.
The measure requires school buses and other heavy-duty vehicles to turn off their engines when they reach school grounds, and to re-start them no more than 30 seconds before departure. These restrictions apply within 100 feet of school grounds. Also, buses and heavy-duty vehicles transporting children to offsite locations must now limit idling times to five minutes.
For more information, contact Bonnie Holmes-Gen at 916.442.4446 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org.
MEET LEGISLATORS, LEARN ABOUT BUDGET AT LOBBY DAY
Join other American Lung Association volunteers and staff members from around California to learn about the current budget crisis in California and meet key opinion leaders. Capitol Lobby Day is set for Wednesday, February 26, 2003, in Sacramento.
The daylong event will feature a keynote address about the budget, meetings with State Senators and Assemblymembers, and networking with other advocates. You will also learn tips for conducting more effective lobbying meetings. Whether youtre new to advocacy or a seasoned veteran, you will benefit from participating in Capitol Lobby Day.
For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org.
ONLINE VOTE CHART TRACKS SEVEN KEY TOBACCO BILLS
The American Lung Association of Californiats Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing has posted an online Vote Chart that tracks the outcome of seven key tobacco-related bills. The chart was created to serve as a tool for better understanding what happened in the last Legislation Session and anticipating what positions some individual legislators might take during the recently convened 2003 session. While some lawmakers listed on the chart have retired or "termed-out," most are still serving. The chart can be viewed at http://www.californialung.org/thecenter/downloads/votechart2002.pdf.
The Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing promotes community organizing strategies to empower local coalitions to achieve tobacco policy change, and serves as a state tobacco control policy analysis and information resource.
For more information, please contact Brian Peterson at 530.345.5864 or brian [at] chico [dot] com.
SAN FRANCISCO FUNDED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE EFFORT
The American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties has received $40,000 from the San Francisco Community Foundation to form a task force to focus on environmental justice issues. The Bay Area Clean Air Task Force will include the American Lung Association, Coalition for Clean Air, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Bay View Hunters Point community groups, and others concerned about the health effects of air pollution. There is serious concern about toxic air contaminants in communities like Hunters Point where there is heavy industry.
The task force will focus on diesel fuel and the need to find alternatives, the issue of companies being allowed to trade air pollution credits, and asthma and related environmental health issues.
In other air quality news, Linda Weiner was appointed to the Bay Area Air Quality Management Districtts Advisory Council to fill the "Public Health Agency" category. She is the Director of Communications for the American Lung Association of San Francisco & San Mateo Counties and is actively involved in clean air issues.
For more information, contact Linda at 650.994.5864 or lindaw [at] alasfsm [dot] org.
CTS HOLDS ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFRENCE IN CARMEL
The California Thoracic Society will hold its Annual Scientific Conference in Carmel, along with ACCP-CC, January 31 ? February 1, 2003. The Western Societies medical meetings are being held in conjunction with the conference, which will focus on Current Controversies in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
Controversial areas of medicine that have a high impact on pulmonary medicine will be examined, including the use of the spiral CT and PET scan in screening for lung cancer. Conference sessions will also focus on treatments for sleep apnea, hypertension and lung injury.
The conference includes Clinical Case Poster Session presentations and discussions. There will also be several social events and opportunities for networking with other healthcare professionals. This activity is approved for CMA-PRA Credit, RCP Credit, and BRN Credits.
For more information, contact Colleen Richardson at 714.730.1944 or cts [at] aol [dot] com, or visit http://www.thoracic.org/chapters/state/california/ca.html where you can download a conference brochure.
SMART GROWTH SESSIONS FOCUS ON LIVABLE COMMUNITIES
Livable communities where people can easily walk, ride their bikes and access public transportation help reduce air pollution and other negative impacts of urban living. The Second Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference will focus on these and other issues when it convenes in New Orleans January 30 ? February 1, 2003.
The conference brings together experts in the areas of public transportation, water quality, public health, crime prevention and others who have an interest in creating livable communities through smart growth policies.
For more information, call Laura Keegan at 510.638.5864 or lkeegan [at] alac [dot] org, or visit http://www.outreach.psu.edu/c&i/smartgrowth/.
YOUR DIRECT LINE TO FUND LUNG RESEARCH:
LINE 61 ON YOUR STATE INCOME TAX RETURN
You can donate to the Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund on Line 61 of your 2002 state income tax form. Just write in the amount you want to donate on Line 61 and add it to your tax payment or deduct it from your refund. It's that simple. The fund supports the American Lung Association of California's peer-reviewed research program. For more information, a banner ad you can post on your Web site, and drop-in ad slicks, visit http://www.californialung.org and click on the Line 61 icon.
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