Regina patrons are honored at The Lung Association's Annual General Meeting

Regina, April 17 “ The Lung Association's annual general meeting took place on Friday, April 13. Regina was the gathering place for a host of special guests, dignitaries, volunteers, board members and staff. We were delighted that His Honour, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Gordon L. Barnhard, an honorary patron of the Lung Association, and Health Minister Len Taylor were in attendance. œThe Lung Association relies on the support of the Government of Saskatchewan, many community partners and volunteers to address the respiratory health needs of our diverse Saskatchewan population, says Lung Association President & CEO, Brian Graham. œThis annual event allows our Association to not only recognize the contribution of our partners but to celebrate our successes.

One of the highest honors that The Lung Association bestows is the Life Membership Award. This award is given to persons who render extraordinary service in the pursuit of the objectives of our Association. This prestigious award, as well as the Award of Merit, was presented to Dr. Ram Abdulla who was one of the first respirologists in Saskatchewan to have RoyalCollege certification in respiratory medicine. From 1981 to 1986, The Lung Association's financial support to Dr. Abdulla enabled him to develop the Intensive Care Unit at the Regina GeneralHospital. Dr. Abdulla continues to be a main force in shaping respiratory care in Regina and Southern Saskatchewan.

Two other Awards of Merit were presented. On behalf of SGI, Jon Schubert, President and CEO, received the Award of Merit for an $188,000 financial contribution that has made it possible for the Saskatoon Sleep Disorders Centre to provide extra testing for sleep apnea. In Saskatchewan 36,000 people have moderate to severe sleep apnea and about 30,000 remain undiagnosed. The Lung Association commends SGI for being proactive in the treatment of sleep apnea as excessive day-time sleepiness is a contributing factor to many vehicle crashes.

Since 1997, Canada Safeway Ltd. has been a strong supporter of The Lung Association. They contributed financially to AsthmaTrec, the most successful Asthma Training and Educator course in Saskatchewan and Canada. Canada Safeway is dedicated to professional development for their employees for the benefit of their clients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), as well as serving as educators in our community. Stacy Johnson was available to accept this Award on behalf of Canada Safeway Ltd.

The Lung Association's Certificate of Appreciation is awarded to individuals who volunteer their time, skills and energy to help others. Our 2007 recipients include: Scott Gordon from Prairie Oxygen for outstanding service to his clients; and Jennifer Miller, Marianne Penner and Lynne Koehler from Health Canada for their efforts to reduce tobacco use and tobacco cessation. Tobacco use remains in this province and country our greatest cause of preventable illness.

We would like to congratulate and welcome Dr. Jo-Anne Episkenew from the FirstNationsUniversity for her appointment to our volunteer Board of Directors and our heartfelt thanks to all of our volunteer Board for their tireless commitment to the Lung Association and the lung health of the residents of Saskatchewan.

The Lung Association is Canada's oldest health charity, helping Canadians to breathe easier since 1900. Our predecessor, the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League, was founded in 1911 to fight the raging TB epidemic of the time. We are a non-profit, non-governmental organization that relies on the generous support of the public through donations to campaigns such as Christmas Seals to fund our many programs and activities. You will find the Lung Association active in your community conducting programs on asthma, COPD and sleep apnea, providing training for health professionals, delivering health education in schools, facilitating patient support groups, and lobbying for clean air. The Lung Association is the premier source for respiratory health information in Saskatchewan (see www.sk.lung.ca).

Contact:

Brian Graham, PhD

Lung Association of Saskatchewan

(306) 343-9511 (Saskatoon)