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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California's Monthly e-Newsletter
June 1, 2004 Number 112
http://www.californialung.org
ONLINE CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS CENTENNIAL ON JUNE 7
American Lung Association volunteers and staff are invited to join a nationwide Web cast that includes a conference call to celebrate our first and next 100 years. The online celebration is scheduled for Monday, June 7, at 11 a.m. (pacific). For the audio, call 866.214.6061 and use the pin number 0606. For the Web portion, go to https://e1.e2c.com/enc/attend and use zw2426 for the meeting ID. The phone line will be open at 10:45 a.m. for an 11 a.m. start.
The American Lung Association was founded in 1904 and associations across the nation are holding a variety of events and fundraisers to commemorate the launch of the nationšs oldest voluntary health agency. Many associations will hold local events in their offices at the same time the Web cast is occurring so volunteers and staff can celebrate together. So invite a friend, co-worker or family member to join the celebration or log on at your own desk.
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser@earthlink.net.
NATIONWIDE AWARDS HONOR CALIFORNIANS
Five Californians and one California affiliate received awards at the American Lung Associationšs Annual Conference in Orlando recently. 2004 CLAS (Council of Lung Association Staff) Excellence Award recipients were honored at the CLAS Recognition Breakfast held on May 23.
Raquel Lopez, office manager at the American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, received the 2004 CLAS Excellence Award in Administrative Support. The 2004 CLAS Excellence Award in Communications went to Ross Porter, director of communications at the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Michael Welch, MD, was honored at the Volunteer Awards Luncheon for his dedication to improving the medical management of children with asthma. He has been a volunteer for the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties for 16 years, where he currently chairs the board, and is heavily involved in community asthma activities, including the associationšs asthma camp.
California Thoracic Society member Philip C. Hopewell, MD, University of San Francisco, received the Trudeau Medal, given in honor of Edward Livingston Trudeau, MD, a founder and the first president of the American Lung Association. Robert M. Strieter, MD, RRT, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, received a Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishments. Dr. Strieter is also a California Thoracic Society member.
The American Lung Association of the East Bay was awarded the Bernard Gregory Cultural Diversity Award for its efforts to reach diverse communities with its programs and volunteer opportunities. The association directly serves 20 different ethnic groups.
ASTHMA WALKS RAISE FUNDS FOR PROGRAMS AND SERIVCES
Seven Asthma Walks were held in California in April and May, raising $226,000 for programs and services. Asthma Walks are held across the nation to help fight the asthma epidemic and raise awareness about the chronic lung disease.
Asthma Walks were held in Bakersfield, Chico, Clovis, Lompoc, Sacramento, Temecula and Ventura. A total of 1,535 walkers participated in the fundraisers with 158 teams signing on.
Itšs not too late to join an Asthma Walk. Walks are scheduled for Saturday, September 18, in Emeryville; Sunday, September 26, in San Diego; Saturday, October 2, in Saratoga and Stockton; Sunday, October 3, in Riverside and Santa Rosa; and Saturday, October 16, in Redding and San Francisco.
To find a walk near you, visit http://www.californialung.org/press/030925asthma.html.
STOCKTON CONSIDERS EXPANDING SMOKE-FREE ENTRYWAYS
The Stockton City Council is considering expanding the statewide smoke-free entryway law to include privately owned buildings in Stockton. AB 846 (Vargas, D-San Diego) only prohibits smoking within 20 feet of state, county and city buildings.
The American Lung Association of California, Valley Lode Branch, has been working with city officials to draft the local smoke-free entryway policy. The City Council is expected to discuss the proposed ordinance at its June meeting.
For more information, contact Kerrie Valenzuela at 209.478.1888 or kerriev@inreach.org.
SAN DIEGO ASTHMA COALITION RELEASES ASTHMA REPORT CARD
The San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition released the first Asthma Report Card for San Diego County on World Asthma Day, offering a comprehensive picture of how asthma affects San Diego County residents. The coalition is coordinated by the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
The report card looks at data from eight different state and local organizations, including San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, the United Way of San Diego, and the San Diego Association of Governments. The data show hospitalizations, 911 calls, and deaths due to asthma have been gradually declining over the past few years. However, people living in urban San Diego County, especially African-Americans, have shared these gains less than others and in fact experience higher rates of hospitalization due to asthma.
The Coalition will update the Report annually. This first Report Card was made possible through funds from the office of Supervisor Ron Roberts, the San Diego Childhood Asthma Initiative, and The California Endowment.
For more information, contact Joni Low at 619.297.3901 or joni@lungsandiego.org or visit http://www.lungsandiego.org/asthma/press.asp.
ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGES MANAGED CARE TO SUPPORT CESSATION
The American Lung Association of California has signed on to the Smoking Cessation Benefits Campaign Initiative to encourage healthcare providers to support tobacco cessation.
The Next Generation California Tobacco Control Alliance is leading an initiative to increase access to tobacco dependence treatments in Californiašs managed care organizations. With 21.4 million Californians enrolled in managed care organizations, the managed care system provides a broad reach for cessation services. By developing a model insurance benefit based on the United States Public Health Service Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence clinical guidelines, the Alliance is encouraging managed care organizations to collectively raise the bar for smoking cessation coverage in the state.
While more than 70 percent of smokers report visiting a physician at least once a year, only 31 percent report receiving advice to quit. Without support or healthcare services, long-term success rates are only about 5 percent.
For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.442.4446 or pknepprath@alac.org.
CENTER FOR TOBACCO POLICY AND ORGANIZING IS RE-FUNDED
The American Lung Association of California received a three-year grant to continue its Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing from the California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section. Since it began two years ago, the Center has become the focal point for information about statewide tobacco-related policy and legislation.
Over the next three years, the Center will increase its technical assistance and training in community organizing, coalition-building, campaign strategy, and educating key opinion leaders, as well as take a lead role in tobacco licensing and smoke-free housing.
For more information, contact Brian Peterson at 530.897.4140 or brian@chico.com, or visit the Centeršs Web site at www.californialung.org/thecenter.
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E-News Archive
- April 30, 2004 Issue (no. 111)
- March 31, 2004 Issue (no. 110)
- February 27, 2004 Issue (no. 109)
- January 30, 2004 Issue (no. 108)
- December 23, 2003 Issue (no. 107)
- November 26, 2003 Issue (no. 106)
- October 30, 2003 Issue (no. 105)
- September 30, 2003 Issue (no. 104)
- August 29, 2003 Issue (no. 103)
- July 31, 2003 Issue (no. 102)
- June 30, 2003 Issue (no. 101)
- May 31, 2003 Issue (no. 100)
- May 1, 2003 Issue (no. 99)
- March 31, 2003 Issue (no. 98)
- February 28, 2003 Issue (no. 97)
- January 31, 2003 Issue (no. 96)
- December 31, 2002 Issue (no. 95)