Got Lungs? Shoot for Healthy Lungs!

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan (LAS) is excited to announce its partnership with The Saskatoon Blades to inspire youth to
get in the game and shoot for healthy lungs!

Saskatoon, November 7, 2012 "Got Lungs? Shoot for Healthy Lungs!"

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is excited to announce its partnership with The Saskatoon Blades! From November 2012 to February 2013, Matt Pufahl, Darren Dietz, Lukas Sutter, Shane McColgan and Brett Stovin from the Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club will visit elementary schools to educate and inspire children & youth to get in the game and shoot for healthy lungs!

On Wednesday, November 7, 2012, we invite all media outlets to attend a presentation at Lakeridge Elementary School in Saskatoon at 305 Waterbury Road from 10:00am – 11:00am. Players from the Saskatoon Blades will be available for an interview after the presentation as well as Jennifer Miller, Vice-President of Health Education of The Lung Association, Miss Brooke Kleiboer (LAS Youth Ambassador, age 14) and Mrs. Laurie Jay, the host teacher from Lakeridge School.

"We are extremely happy to announce the partnership with the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. Since physical activity plays such a large role in the Blades organization, we are happy to promote healthy living and healthy choices through the Lung Association," says Mitchell Nemeth, Corporate Account Executive of The Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club.

"Everyone has lungs! It is essential for youth to think about the ways that they can respect and protect them. The Saskatoon Blades will educate and empower Saskatchewan youth to make healthy choices for lifelong wellness. We are excited to have such motivating role models to help us communicate this message and hope that the only thing our Saskatchewan youth are addicted to is the game" says Jennifer Miller.

According to the 2011 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey (CTUMS), 20 percent of youth aged 15-19 smoke compared to the national average of 12 percent. This is the 9th year in a row that Saskatchewan has the highest youth smoking rate in the country. Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in Canada.

Information 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 your 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, facilities patient support groups and lobbies for clean air.

Contact Information:

To learn more about this project, please contact:

Jennifer Miller
Vice-President of Health Education
Lung Association of Saskatchewan
jennifer.miller@sk.lung.ca
(306) 343-9511

Mitchell Nemeth
Corporate Account Executive
Saskatoon Blades Hockey Club
mitch@saskatoonblades.com
(306) 975-8844, ext. 34