Helping Hawaii Breathe Easier

By Renee Klein
Wednesday - January 12, 2011 Share

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By Renee Klein, CEO
American Lung Association in Hawaii

When you think about it, the only really important thing each of us has to do every day is wake up and breathe. Everything else is secondary!

And for more than 80 years, the American Lung Association has been helping people in Hawaii breathe more easily. From our early beginnings fighting tuberculosis to our modern mission of lung health, clean air and tobacco control, we improve health and prevent disease through research, education and defending your right to breathe clean air.

Lung disease, already the third leading cause of death, is growing faster than any other leading killer. We believe that no search for a cure should go unfounded; no child or adult should die from asthma; no child or adult should be affected by or addicted to tobacco products, and no community should be exposed to unhealthy air.

Last year our Freedom from Smoking clinics helped more than 158 people become free from tobacco. We offer workplace presentations and even an online program (http://www.ffsonline.org). And we reached 3,887 elementary, middle and high school students through our innovative Teens Against Tobacco Use program.

Performers and audience members celebrate the gift of clean air at last year’s Breathe Concert

Our Better Breather’s clubs help people with emphysema and chronic bronchitis better manage their disease, and our Open Airways for Schools Plus program helped 486 children, educators and parents last year.

Finally, our Lung Help Line (1-800-LUNG-USA) is available 24 hours a day with free counseling by registered nurses, respiratory therapists and quit-smoking specialists.

These programs are only possible through generous cash contributions, vehicle donations or estate gifts, or through special events such as our highly popular Breathe Concert, to be held this fall.

To support us or get on our mailing list, please call 537-5966 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Mahalo!

Hawaii charitable organizations may send requests for space in either Proof Positive or the free advertisement below to dchapman@midweek.com.