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Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
February 28, 2005 Number 121
Content:
PREPARE FOR THE NATIONAL ASTHMA EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
at the Asthma Educator Institute in Santa Barbara on March 4 and 5. For more information, contact Donna Pearson-Beal at 805.963.1426 or donna [at] lungsbvc [dot] org.
CALIFORNIA CITIES ADOPT SMOKE-FREE CITY PARKS
More and more Californians are able to enjoy their local parks without exposing themselves to secondhand smoke thanks to a movement across the state to make parks and other outdoor recreational areas smoke-free. State law prohibits smoking within 25 feet of a playground or sandbox area and cities up and down the state have adopted or are in the process of adopting more stringent policies. Most recently, the cities of Fresno and San Francisco passed ordinances prohibiting smoking in all city parks. The San Francisco law encompasses any city property open to the public, including parks, plazas, and sports or playing fields. In both cities, American Lung Association staff worked with local health coalitions to support the ordinances. In San Jose, the American Lung Association of Santa Clara-San Benito Counties is working with the Tobacco-Free Collaborative to secure smoke-free city parks. The group is scheduled to appear before the San Jose Parks Commission on April 6. For more information, contact Linda Weiner at 650.994.5864 or lindaw [at] alasfsm [dot] org, Josette Merced Bello at 559.222.4800 or josette [at] amerilungcencal [dot] org, or Margo Sidener at 408.998.5864 or margo [at] lungsrus [dot] org.
HEALTH NETWORK PHYSICIANS TESTIFY AT AIR QUALITY MEETING
Two physicians speaking on behalf of the American Lung Association of California’s Health Network for Clean Air testified before the statewide Air Quality Advisory Committee earlier this month to encourage its members to support stronger ozone standards. Harold Farber, MD, a Kaiser Permanente doctor, and Eliza Humphreys, MD, of the American Academy of Pediatrics District IX, urged the committee to set standards that would significantly reduce ozone air pollution to protect public health. The association organized the Health Network in 2003 thanks to a grant from The Energy Foundation and since then has mobilized its members to advocate for important air quality and health initiatives, including regulations to reduce global warming. Members have testified at hearings and sent letters, including a special petition signed by 175 health professionals that was sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chair Alan Lloyd urging CARB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Any health professionals interested in joining the Health Network should contact Vandana Bali at 415.775.1065 or vbali [at] alac [dot] org, or visit http://californialung.org/spotlight/hn_home.html.
MARCH ON TB CONFERENCE FOLLOWS WORLD TB DAY
Scheduled for March 28, the 13th annual March on TB conference will be an all day special event this year. The conference will be held at UCSD Medical Center in San Diego and follows on the heels of World TB Day, the global recognition of tuberculosis (TB) and the toll it takes held every March 24. The conference focuses on the epidemiology of TB, diagnosis and treatment of LTBI and active TB, and addresses common cross-border TB issues. Speakers include Lee B. Reichman, MD; Kathleen Moser, MD; Antonino Catanzaro, MD; Marguerite Jackson, RN; and other experts. For more information and a brochure, visit http://www.lungsandiego.org/lung/practitioners.asp.
SANTA BARBARA DOCTOR NAMED NATIONWIDE VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
Recently named by the nationwide American Lung Association as Volunteer of the Week, Myron Liebhaber, MD, calls himself the "oldest and happiest camper." After all, he founded the American Lung Association of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties’ Camp Wheez asthma camp and has stayed actively involved as medical director, instructor, promoter and supporter.. "I consider Camp Wheez a wonderful opportunity to interact with children and families," said Dr. Liebhaber, who has served on the association’s board of directors for 27 years. Trained as a pediatrician, Dr. Liebhaber has specialized in Allergy and Immunology at Sansum-Santa Barbara Foundation Clinic in Santa Barbara since 1977. He was awarded the American Lung Association of California’s Pottenger Award in 1997 for his outstanding volunteer service. For more information, contact Jayne Brechwald at 805.963.1426 or jayne [at] lungsbvc [dot] org.
ASSOCIATION GRANT HELPS LAUNCH RESEARCHER’S CAREER
Changgong Li, Ph.D., is hoping his research will eventually lead to more effective treatments for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease that causes lung inflammation, scarring and abnormal growth.. Mostly seen in premature babies weighing less than 2.2 pounds at birth, it can also occur in full-term infants who have respiratory problems during their first days of life. The University of California, Los Angeles, researcher found that a specific signaling molecule controls the formation of the aveoli, the tiny air sacs in the bronchial tubes that exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. He will be able to continue his study into BPD because funding he received from the association helped leverage additional research dollars. "The grant from the American Lung Association of California actually helped me establish my research career," he said. "Based on my study, I was able to get a grant from the National Institutes of Health." Californians can invest in the American Lung Association of California’s research program through their 2004 state income tax returns. The Asthma and Lung Disease Research Fund is located under Contributions on the state tax form. For more information about the research fund or for a list of funded studies, visit http://www.californialung.org/research/fund.html.
ANNUAL HACKADEMY AWARDS FEATURES RED CARPET EVENT
The American Lung Association of Sacramento-Emigrant Trails’ 10th Annual Hackademy Awards featured a gala ceremony modeled after the Oscars. Winners were announced February 16 at the Oscar-style event, complete with red carpet, youth “stars” in glamorous attire arriving in limousines, media and paparazzi. The Hackademy Awards, part of the association’s Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! program, features youth reviewers who rate movies based on their portrayal of tobacco use. The People’s Choice Award was added this year giving the public the opportunity to vote for their choices online. For a list of this year’s Hackademy Awards recipients and photos of the event, visit www.scenesmoking.org.
NOMINATE LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The American Lung Association of California is accepting nominations for its annual awards, which are presented each year at the Annual Awards Banquet. Award categories include: Michael Stulbarg Memorial California Medal, Clean Air Award, George R. Williams Award, Pottenger Award and the President’s Award Each name must be submitted with a letter of nomination by March 28. Award nominations must be accompanied by supporting biographical material and a current resume or curriculum vitae. Either an individual or an association may submit a nomination. Consideration of a nominee will be based solely on the merits as presented. For more information, contact Kerlyn Chatelain-Graham at 510.638.5864 or kcgraham [at] alac [dot] org.
TO GET INVOLVED WITH OR DONATE TO A LOCAL ASTHMA WALK visit http://californialung.org/press/030925asthma.html.
INVEST IN RESEARCH THROUGH THE ASTHMA AND LUNG DISEASE RESEARCH FUND on your 2004 state tax return under Contributions. Proceeds support the American Lung Association of California’s peer-reviewed research program. Make sure your tax preparer knows you want to donate! For more information, visit http://www.californialung.org/research/fund.html.
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