September 5, 2000

CONTACT:
Andy Weisser (818) 703-6444, aweisser@earthlink.net

San Diego, San Mateo Residents Provide Leadership for Air Pollution, Tobacco, Asthma and TB Issues

American Lung Association of California, California Thoracic Society Name New Leaders in Fight Against Lung Disease

Editors Note: Photos are available upon request.

(September 5, 2000, OAKLAND, CA) -- As air pollution continues to threaten the health of thousands of Californians and smoking among young adults is on the rise, two long-time volunteers and crusaders in the fight against lung disease are set to lead their organizations for the next year by focusing on air pollution, tobacco, asthma, tuberculosis and other lung diseases. Christine L. Bryant, of San Diego, will serve as board chair of the American Lung Association of California while Robert B. Fick, Jr., MD, of Portola Valley, will lead the California Thoracic Society as its president.

"When you can't breathe, nothing else matters," says Bryant, who is vice president of Southern California marketing for Bank of America. "This message says it all," says Bryant. "Among our goals this year, we will focus on continuing to improve how we help people with lung disease and their families. We will also look for ways to increase our support to researchers and educators. By increasing awareness of the American Lung Association, and what we can provide, we become more effective in our mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health."

Bryant joined her local American Lung Association in 1990 because she wanted to be involved with an organization that was making a difference in her community. The association's mission hits home for the San Diego banker because several of her family members smoke and have asthma. "I see what happens when people don't take care of their lungs," she says.

During her tenure with the American Lung Association of California, Bryant has served on the Executive, Finance, Management, Conference Planning and Government Relations Committees. She also chaired several committees for the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties, where she served as board chair in 1994.

Bryant says that the priorities for this year include efforts to promote zero-emission vehicles in California, advocate for more tobacco prevention funding, work to secure funding for a statewide asthma program, and provide seed money for important research projects that could someday lead to a cure.

Dr. Fick couldn't agree more with these priorities. As president of the California Thoracic Society, the association's medical section, he wants his organization to work even closer with the American Lung Association to help reduce the toll lung disease takes on Californians.

"If we don't reduce the number of teens who start smoking or make sure children with asthma are diagnosed early and properly treated, the state will face increased medical costs and thousands of Californians will suffer needlessly," says Dr. Fick, who is a senior scientist at Genentech and a clinical associate professor of medicine at Stanford University.

Dr. Fick has been a member of the American Thoracic Society since 1979.
He has served on several committees on the national and state levels, both here in California and in Iowa, where he lived from 1982 to 1992, including the Education Committee, Research Committee, and the Executive Committee.

"We have a responsibility to make sure people with asthma and other lung diseases get the treatments they need," Dr. Fick says.

The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for more than 90 years. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease.
However, our work is not finished. As we look forward to our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the California Thoracic Society, we provide educational programs, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by Christmas and Chanukah Seals and other voluntary contributions. For more information, visit us at our web site at www.californialung.org or call 1-(800) LUNG-USA to be automatically connected to your local American Lung Association.

Related Links:

Board of Directors List (2000-01)