January 31 , 2006

Contact:
- Andrew Weisser, (818) 703-6444, aweisser@earthlink.net
www.californialung.org
or your local American Lung Association at (800) LUNG-USA

American Lung Association of California Restructures

JANUARY 31, 2006, OAKLAND, CA -- The American Lung Association, American Lung Association of California and the 11 local American Lung Association affiliates in California have announced a restructuring in the state as part of the American Lung Association’s efforts to streamline nationwide operations.

In the past, the statewide organization, the American Lung Association of California, has pursued its mission on a local level through 11 separate organizations and four regional branches, each assigned to its own territory.

Under the restructuring, there will no longer be independently incorporated local offices; instead all operations will be conducted by the American Lung Association of California through regional offices serving the entire state.

Five of the separate local associations are continuing their charitable missions independently of the reorganized American Lung Association of California; each will operate under a variant of the name, "Breathe California" in the territories they have historically served.

The five territories historically served by the five new independent organizations are Central Coast, Los Angeles County, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, and Santa Clara-San Benito Counties. The American Lung Association of California and the five new independent organizations will each continue its charitable missions for the benefit of California residents.

The six affiliates that will become part of the reorganized American Lung Association of California are located in the San Francisco East Bay, Central California, the Inland Counties of San Bernardino and Riverside, Orange County, San Diego and Imperial Counties and Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties along with the four existing branches (Kern (located in Bakersfield), Redwood Empire (located in Santa Rosa), Superior (located in Chico) and Valley Lode (located in Stockton)).

The American Lung Association of California will continue to provide and improve services and programs in all areas of the state including the areas where the five former affiliates, which are becoming independent, currently operate.

Under a court settlement reached on January 13, in Oakland, CA the five affiliates leaving will operate independently under new names in their territories and will be restricted from using the American Lung Association name, logo and branded programs. The change to this independent status becomes effective February 12, 2006.

From its inception more than 100 years ago, the American Lung Association has been a collection of independent local organizations operating under a national logo with a mission to fight lung disease.

“The new structure with one statewide non-profit organization is part of a national trend among leading charitable organizations that will create an integrated, stronger, and more effective structure to eradicate lung disease,” said Rick Donaldson, Ph.D., chair of the board of the American Lung Association of California.

Beginning its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health through research, programs and advocacy efforts. 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 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872) to automatically reach your local office or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org.

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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.call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.californialung.org.