November 7th, 2006
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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 Links, graphics, content, medical information, and statistics may be out of date.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.Breathing ... the greatest gift of all
SASKATOON, November 7, 2006 - This year's star and ambassador for the Lung Association's Christmas Seals Campaign is a young lady named Paige.
Paige was just a few weeks old when her 
anxious parents rushed her to the emergency ward for the first time. Paige was having difficulty breathing. For this young couple, seeing their new daughter breathing normally was the greatest gift of all!
Today the Lung Association of Saskatchewan launches its annual Christmas Seals Campaign. Since 1928 funds from the Christmas Seals Campaign have been used to help the people of our province, like Paige, breathe a little easier. Over 350,000 Saskatchewan households will find Christmas Seals in their mailbox this week. Our campaign goal for this year is $215,000, which is 11% of our annual revenue.
Paige has grown into an active four year old who takes her asthma inhaler everywhere she goes, just in case she needs it. Paige's asthma is being controlled as her parents recognize and avoid her asthma triggers. Says Paige's mom, Lisa, winter is the worst time for her as she can't breathe very well when it is cold outside. We have to wait for really nice days to enjoy skating and tobogganing and we have to increase her medication during the winter. The support from the asthma educators at the Lung Association and their quality educational materials have been a tremendous help to me since Paige was a baby.
Paige is not alone. A study recently funded by the Lung Association indicated that 16 “ 21% of Saskatchewan children, like Paige, have asthma. In the adult population, 7.5% have asthma.
Asthma, a chronic lung condition, is one of the lung diseases supported by the Lung Association's Christmas Seals Campaign. The Lung Association is Canada's oldest health charity, with a 105 “ year history of helping families fight lung disease.
The Lung Association began using Christmas Seals in 1928 to raise money to combat tuberculosis. 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.
Please support the Lung Association and children like Paige by either responding to our mail appeal, making a secure donation at www.sk.lung.ca/donate, or calling 1 -888-566-LUNG (5864).
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For more information contact:
Stella Spanos
(306) 343-9511 or 1-888-566-LUNG (5864)