November 7th, 2005
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This news item is more than a year old. Links, graphics, content, medical information, and statistics may be out of date. We invite you to search, visit our homepage, or contact us to find more current information on the topic you're looking for.Christmas Seals - Our Past, Present, and Future
Saskatoon, November 7th “ Christmas Seals have graced parcels, packages, and letters around the world since 1904 when a benevolent postmaster named Einar Holboell from Copenhagen, watched two abandoned children huddling together for warmth while he sorted holiday cards and letters. He decided to do something to raise funds for the benefit of children with the crippling lung disease of tuberculosis (TB). The Christmas Seal stamp was born.
On the world stage the sale of the Christmas Seal marked the turning point in the history of TB as people everywhere joined the fight against this deadly, crippling disease. Today, about 1,634 new and relapsed cases of tuberculosis still occur every year in Canada, and the occurrence of other diseases of the lung such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma has increased enormously.
The Lung Association began using Christmas Seals in 1928 to raise money to operate three sanatoria in Saskatchewan for our residents with TB. Today you will see the Lung Association fund medical research into the causes and cures of lung disease and conduct programs on asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), tobacco and sleep apnea in your community. The Lung Association also provides training for health professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air. The Lung Association is the premier source for respiratory health initiatives in the province.
This year the Lung Association will place Christmas Seals in the mailbox of 300,000 households in Saskatchewan. We invite you to ˜give the gift of better breathing' to the residents of Saskatchewan this holiday season through your donations. Please contact us by phone at 1-888-566-LUNG, by making a secure online donation at www.sk.lung.ca/donate or by responding to our mail appeal.
The Lung Association is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. Registered Charity No. 87230 4811 RR0001.
Contact Information:
Sharon Kremeniuk - Regina
306) 352-2004
Kelly Ericson - Saskatoon
(306) 343-9511 or 1-888-566-LUNG