November 8th, 2010
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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 Links, graphics, content, medical information, and statistics may be out of date.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.Saskatoon, November 8, 2010 - Since 1908, Canadians have made a difference in the lives of people with lung disease by supporting the Christmas Seal program. When a humble postmaster in Copenhagen, Denmark came up with the idea to sell decorative stamps to make money in the crusade against tuberculosis (TB), little did he realize that a little paper stamp would help save lives and impact lung disease around the world and for generations to come. Today Christmas Seals are an essential fundraiser for The Lung Association nationwide.
“When you make a donation to our annual Christmas Seal campaign and apply these decorative stickers or ‘seals’ to your cards and parcels this holiday season, you are joining The Lung Association’s fight for healthy lungs and clean air for the residents of our great province and Canada,” says Brian Graham, The Lung Association’s President and CEO. You are also supporting the one in three residents of Saskatchewan who will be affected by lung disease during their lifetime,” he adds.
The money raised is used to support world-class research, programs and services to assist people with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. In Saskatchewan approximately 60,000 people have COPD and many are undiagnosed. This progressive lung disease affects both men and women, is growing in prevalence and kills more women than breast cancer. “Hospitalizations peak for our residents with COPD during Christmas so talk to your doctor and care team about managing your COPD,” cautions Graham.
Your doctor can order a simple breathing test that is essential to diagnosing respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of your treatment plan. Spirometry is a non-invasive test that can easily be done in your doctor’s office or at a nearby hospital or clinic. It measures how much air can be blown out and how fast the air can be blown out of your lungs. Our certified respiratory educators would be pleased to answer your lung health questions and provide you with some tips for a health holiday season. Please contact us during regular office hours in Saskatoon at 343-9511 or 1-888-566-LUNG (5864) elsewhere in the province.
“We couldn’t do all of this wonderful work without our donors and support from the public,” says Dr. Graham. “Thank you for your generosity during the holiday season and throughout the year.”
About The Lung Association
Established in 1911, The Lung Association is Saskatchewan’s oldest health charity. You have come to know and trust The Lung Association as the premier source for lung health in our province. All of our quality educational materials, programs, services and treatment guidelines are based on current evidence-based research. You will find The Lung Association active in communities across Saskatchewan conducting lung disease prevention and management programs that include asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer and smoking cessation. The Lung Association also provides training for health care professionals, delivers health education in schools, facilitates patient support groups, and lobbies for clean air.
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For more information contact:
Sharon Kremeniuk
Vice President Development
(306) 352-2004
sharon.kremeniuk@sk.lung.ca
Stella Spanos
Operations Associate
(306) 343-9511
stella.spanos@sk.lung.ca