September 12, 2002

Contact:
Andy Weisser, 818.703.6444
aweisser@earthlink.net
http://www.californialung.org
or your local American Lung Association at
1.800.LUNG.USA

(September 12, 2002, OAKLAND) Asthma is reaching epidemic proportions as 24 million people in the U.S. battle the lung disease every day. American Lung Associations across the state are calling on Californians to Blow the Whistle on Asthma by joining Asthma Walks in their communities. Ten walks are scheduled in California, including Stockton on September 14; in Saratoga on September 28; in Riverside, Santa Rosa, and San Diego on September 29; and in Redding on October 5. Asthma Walks will also be held in Fresno, San Francisco, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek next year.

The 5K pledge walks are being held nationwide and will help raise money for asthma research, programs and services. For more information about your local Asthma Walk, visit http://www.californialung.org (Asthma Walk calendar).

An estimated 2.2 million Californians have asthma, a serious lung disease that restricts the airways and causes wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, asthma can be controlled. But without proper treatment, asthma can be a debilitating and deadly disease.

There is currently no cure for asthma. That troubles many people with asthma who must take medications several times each day to control the lung disease.

"I hope someday they come up with a cure so I can breathe easier," says Lucy Chaidez, a Sacramento woman who can barely walk around the block without becoming short of breath. She only works part-time due to her asthma and must take asthma treatments from her nebulizer several times a day. "The last 12 years have not been easy."

Asthma rates have been steadily rising in California over the past few decades. The American Lung Association is working across California to help people with asthma understand how to manage the chronic lung disease, educate healthcare providers, and reach out to communities at greater risk for asthma.

It costs our nation more than $12 billion each year to keep asthma under control. Asthma is a major cause of school absenteeism and missed workdays.

The American Lung Association offers a variety of programs to help educate people about asthma, including Open Airways For Schools, Sesame Street A is For Asthma, and asthma camps for children, as well as breathing improvement classes and support groups for adults with asthma. Associations across California are working with schools and other organizations to identify asthma early and take steps to reduce the impact.

The Asthma Walks will help Blow the Whistle on Asthma in communities across California and the entire nation to raise awareness about the need for these important asthma programs and continued research to reduce the suffering caused by asthma.

Participants are encouraged to form teams and several companies have been recruited to form corporate teams.

For more information, visit http://www.californialung.org or call your local American Lung Association at 1.800.LUNG.USA.

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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 Holiday Seals and other voluntary contributions. For more information, visit our web site at www.californialung.org or call 1.800.LUNG.USA to be connected to your local American Lung Association.