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American Lung Association Honors Statewide Leaders in the Fight Against Lung Disease. State Assembly Member Wilma Chan Receives President's Award. Other Recipients from Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Rosa

(September 20, 2003, Sacramento, CA) The American Lung Association of California honored leaders in the fight against lung disease at its annual awards ceremony in Sacramento, including State Assembly Member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland). Every year the association awards those who have made a significant contribution to its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

Along with Assembly Member Chan, who received the President's Award, those honored this year included: Donald P. Tashkin, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Acting Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine; Barbara Cole, RN, MSN, PHN, Director of Disease Control for the Riverside County Public Health Department; and the American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch in Santa Rosa.

The President's Award is presented to a government official who has made an outstanding effort toward the attainment of the American Lung Association's mission. Assembly Member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland) has been a strong supporter of the American Lung Association's mission for more than a decade. Over the years, she has been an outspoken advocate for children and their families and has fought for important lung health issues both in her community and at the state level.

"I am honored to be recognized by the American Lung Association. You are one of the most effective and credible advocates for public health in California. We are a healthier state because of your work," says Assembly Member Chan. "I have worked hard to reduce tobacco use, both in my Oakland district and statewide. I look forward to continuing our partnership as we work towards a healthy and smoke-free California."

Her legislative priorities include healthcare, senior services, early childhood education, and environmental health. She championed legislation to help children with asthma and convened a special legislative hearing in February 2003 to focus public attention on the asthma epidemic in California. This hearing garnered widespread media attention on the issue of asthma and the impact of asthma on children in our state. Assembly Member Chan also co-authored Assembly Bill 1549 to address asthma treatment and management and authored an Assembly resolution supporting the implementation of Indoor Air Quality Tools For Schools in public schools.

Donald P. Tashkin, MD, was awarded the California Medal for his meritorious contribution to the understanding of the cause, prevention and treatment of lung disease. Dr. Tashkin has left a lasting impression on his patients and colleagues during his 30-year career in pulmonary medicine. To this day, current and former Fellows refer to his approach to the interpretation of pulmonary function tests as the "Tashkin Method."

Dr. Tashkin, who currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Acting Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine, has contributed significantly to the understanding and management of lung disease, both as a researcher and teacher. He is the leading authority on the effects of marijuana on the lungs and has made numerous notable contributions in the areas of air pollution and lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma.

"I enjoy uncovering the mysteries," Dr. Tashkin says. "Curiosity about how certain exposures affect health is what keeps me going."

Barbara Cole, RN, MSN, PHN was awarded the Pottenger Crystal for her outstanding volunteer service. It is fitting that she would be honored with an award in the name of the first West Coast tuberculosis (TB) specialist. She has spent much of her career working to eradicate TB and end the suffering caused by this dreaded disease.

The American Lung Association started as the Tuberculosis Society back in 1904 and its first mission was to eradicate TB. Cole has taken that mission to heart.

Besides fighting TB through her volunteer work with the American Lung Association, Cole spends her workdays combating tuberculosis as Director of Disease Control for the Riverside County Public Health Department. Her passion for reducing the pain and suffering caused by lung disease enables her to manage an incredibly busy department for Riverside County and volunteer for the American Lung Association at both the local and state levels.

"I'm committed to the American Lung Association's mission. What we do can really make a difference in people's lives," Cole says. "TB is a devastating disease that deserves all the effort and attention we can give it."

The American Lung Association of California also recognized one of its local associations for its extraordinary achievements. The American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch in Santa Rosa is a leader in its community in the areas of asthma, air quality and tobacco use prevention.

The American Lung Association of California, Redwood Empire Branch, is an outstanding example of how the "integrated approach" can lead to better programs and more successful advocacy and fund development campaigns. The association's efforts culminated in the most successful Asthma Walk in the nation as well as important program and advocacy gains.

The association has used the integrated approach in a variety of ways, including promoting Open Airways For Schools and other asthma programs during Clean Air Month, sending an advocacy message during the Asthma Walk by displaying electric vehicles, and celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a Town Hall meeting designed to raise awareness about its programs as well as enlist the support of potential advocates who are concerned about air quality and other important lung health issues.

"I'm proud to be associated with the Redwood Empire office of the American Lung Association. We have an outstanding staff and a small but effective board of dedicated community leaders," says Les Crawford, President of the board for the Redwood Empire Branch. "I'm pleased that we have been recognized for being proactive on national, state and local issues, and for our work in promoting the American Lung Association's values and mission in our community. The capper was our amazing Asthma Walk, the biggest in the country."

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For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time." For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1.800.LUNG.USA (1.800.586.4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org.

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