and the air you breathe

Fa l l & W i n t e r 2010

Working to improve the lives of asthma sufferers

Health tips for when wildfires are near

You can’t see it smell it or taste it. Radon: the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer

Your HealthFall & Winter 2010

British Columbia Lung Association 2675 Oak Street Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

Tel: 604 731 5864

Toll-free: 1 800 665 5864

Fax: 604 731 5810

info@bc.lung.ca

www.bc.lung.ca

StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald

Editor: Katrina van Bylandt

Contributing Writers:

Katrina van Bylandt,

Destin Haynes

Medical advisory Committee:Dr. Kevin Elwood, Director, Division of TB Control

Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer,

Vancouver Coastal Health

Dr. Richard J. Finley, UBC Department of Surgery

Dr. J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. John Fleetham, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. Shannon Tania Waters, Medical Services Branch,

Health Canada

Dr. Nestor Müller, Department of Radiology,

Vancouver Hospital & HSC

Dr. Darlene Reid, Div. Of Physical Therapy, UBC

Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC

Dr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,

St. Paul’s Hospital

Dr. David Speert, BC Research Centre

executive Committee:Mrs. Muff Hackett, President

Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice President

Dr. Peter Paré, Honourary Treasurer

Mr. Gary Chapple, Director

Mr. Mike Ellis, Director

Dr. Kevin Elwood, Director

Mr. Richie Gage, Director

Mr. Doug Hill, Director

Mrs. Marilyn Lawrence, Director

Mr. Keith Murray, Director

Mrs. Walda Reszitnyk, Director

Please join the generations of British Columbians who celebrate their health and happiness — year in and year out —

with an important donation to Lung Association Christmas Seals®

Today, the Lung Association fights a bigger battle than ever before. From important research on lung cancer and asthma to the fight against the dangerous poisons in air pollution and secondhand smoke, the Lung Association’s crucial mission is still largely supported by Christmas Seals.

Each year, thousands observe the tradition of sealing holiday cards and packages with that year’s special seal. And each year, your Christmas Seals donation supports the important fight against lung disease being waged every day by the Lung Association.

Cover Photo: Catching Air by Marija Pavlivic

bc.lung.ca 3

New look for Your Health

Distributed twice a year to some 22,000 donors,

supporters, volunteers, educators, health and air

quality stake holders province-wide, Your Health

magazine is a century-old tradition. Whether we’re

reporting the results of a new respiratory health

study, sharing the details of a recent Lung Association

initiative, or celebrating one of our many lung heroes,

we try and cover it here.

Today, thanks to advances in technology, we’re finally

able to inject some colour into Your Health magazine at

no extra cost. Furthermore, with a little graphic design

magic, we’ve given Your Health a new look to mark the

beginning of further lung health and air quality related

content improvements to come.

Surprising though it may sound, we’ve switched to full colour at no extra cost.

Important Dates

October 14 World Spirometry Day

November 17 World COPD Day

(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

January 16 – 22 National Non Smoking Week

January 19 Weedless Wednesday

March 7-13 National Sleep

Awareness Week

March 24 World Tuberculosis Day

World Spirometry Day is a new health awareness day established

in 2010 to promote early diagnosis of lung

conditions, encourage people to get

their lungs tested and to raise awareness

about lung health.

Read more about spirometry on page 7

4 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010

Trek showed me how great it

feels just to get involved and give

back to the community around

you – and as a result it has made

giving back a big focus in my life.

It’s also changed how I participate

at Trek.

Now every year I return I try to

engage with as many new Trekkers

as possible. As a veteran I know

the event’s future is dependent on

new riders and I feel it’s my respon-

sibility to ensure they not only have

a great ride and a great weekend

but feel as welcome as I did when I

first started.

Six-time Bicycle Trek for Life & Breath

veteran Dave Coleman has raised

nearly $7,500 in support of vital

lung health and air quality research,

programs and initiatives. This year we

were grateful to have Dave behind the

lens to capture some of the weekend

highlights! Thank you Dave!

Dave ColemanWHy I RIDE

I got involved in Trek years ago, through a work friend.

Today I’m a six-time veteran.

Cycling has always been a big part of my life. Growing

up in Edmonton, winters were long and I couldn’t wait

for the first warm day to get out on my bike; to get a

taste of that freedom. I still feel that way about riding.

Unfortunately, this year I couldn’t get on my bike due to

an injury, so I volunteered as official event photographer

instead – and it was great. Next year however, I hope to get

back on the road!

The 26th Annual Bicycle Trek for Life & Health

Why do you ride?

On September 11 and 12th, more than 300 BC Lung Association supporters and cycling enthusiasts

took part in the 26th Annual Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath; a 2-day, 200 km ride through the lush,

green hills of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.

I’ve met such

great people at Trek

throughout the years,

made great friends,

and even learned

a few things about

cycling along the way.

What I wasn’t expecting

was how much

I learned about myself.

To learn more about the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath visit bicycetrek.ca

bc.lung.ca 5

Dorrie SharcottWHy I RIDE

I first heard of the Bicycle Trek

for Life and Breath (Trek) about

twenty years ago. Today I’m an

eleven-time Trek veteran!

I ride for my uncle, with smok-

ing related emphysema, who is on

oxygen 24/7 with hopes of receiv-

ing a life saving lung transplant.*

I ride for my 16 year-old nephew

who, after a courageous fourteen

year battle with cancer, passed

away two years ago after the

cancer metastasized in his lungs.

And I ride for my mother, who

had Tuberculosis (TB) as a child in

industrial Germany and who at

three years of age had to leave her

home and family to live with rela-

tives on a farm to help manage

her TB. My mother volunteered at

Trek from my very first ride to my

seventh ride when her health no

longer allowed her to make the trip.

I ride, too, in honour of my

friend Augie who helped motivate

me to take part in the first place.

In 2002, Augie was struck and

killed while riding his bike. Augie

was both a giant in life (he was

six foot six) and a giant in spirit;

the quintessential Trekker. He

spent day one of the ride with

the rookies, riding along side and

offering encouragement and sup-

port. And on day two he did what

he loved best: ride fast and hard

to the finish line in pursuit of a

personal best.

After Augie passed away our cy-

cling team wanted to honour him,

so we created the “Rookie Cookie”

award to continue his spirit of

inspiring and motivating the first

time Trekkers.

I am so thankful for the support

of my friends, family, donors and

of course the BC Lung Association

staff and volunteers. Trek is an im-

portant part of my life; something

I look forward to each year. I know

how fortunate I am to be able to

get in the saddle and ride and

I plan on continuing to ride for

many more years to come.

Eleven-time Bicycle Trek for Life &

Breath veteran Dorrie Sharcott has

raised over $30,000 in support of vital

lung health and air quality research,

programs and initiatives. Thank you

Dorrie and see you next year!

*Dorrie’s uncle received a double lung

transplant on September 19, 2010

however sadly passed away due to

complications on September 22, 2010.

2010 Trek Statistics Out of 311 total riders: 156 were male, 155 were female · 196 were veteran riders, 115 riders were rookies · The

oldest rider was 81; the youngest was thirteen · Total 2010 funds raised: $240,000 · Total lifetime funds raised by Trek: Nearly $5 million

Why do I ride? I believe it’s for the same reasons as hundreds of other Trekkers. I ride because I can and in honour of those in my life who cannot.

Dorrie, pictured at left, wtih fellow rider Doris.

Giant Bicycles

Dunbar Cycles

Global BC

Budget

Sugoi

Whistler Question

Mountain FM

Star FM

Country 107.1 FM

Radio NL 610 AM

Country 103 FM

The River 97.5 FM

Larabar

Canadian Springs

Jelly Belly

Richmond Aquatic Services

Sewell’s Marina

Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

Burnaby Village Museum

THANK you EVENT SPoNSoRS

old Spaghetti Factory

Park Inn & Suites

Dr Sun yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Lake okanagan Resort

Vancouver Aquarium

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Museum of Anthropology

Canadian outback Adventures

Sequoia Company of Restaurants

Harbour Cruises Ltd

Heffley Boutique Inn

Vancouver Giants

Playhouse Theatre Company

6 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010

Despite the fact that lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, a recent survey and research report released this

year by the Global Lung Cancer Coalition finds that many Ca-

nadians have little sympathy for lung cancer patients, mistak-

enly believing that they brought the disease upon themselves.

“Unfortunately, there’s a stigma attached to people with lung

cancer,” says Scott McDonald, CEO of the BC Lung Association.

“Many people seem to feel lung cancer patients deserve the

disease because they smoked. This shows a lack of under-

standing of tobacco addiction, which is complicated and can

be extraordinarily difficult to overcome. People also seem to

overlook the fact that more than 50 percent of lung cancer pa-

tients are non or ex smokers.”

The survey also revealed that Canadians believed that breast

cancer was as deadly as lung cancer. In fact; lung cancer kills

four times as many Canadians than breast cancer each year –

about 20,000.

McDonald says these beliefs may well be part of the reason

lung cancer gets so little funding for research and treatments,

“Not that long ago, the death rate for breast cancer was higher

than for lung cancer. Now that’s reversed, with more people

dying from lung cancer than breast cancer, colorectal cancer

and prostate cancer combined. Regrettably, there is still no ef-

fective early stage screening mechanism for lung cancer. Eighty

five per cent of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within

five years of diagnosis.”

Dr. James Gowing, an oncologist and co-chair of the Cancer

Advocacy Coalition of Canada says, “The mortality rate from

lung cancer is horrific in this country and we aren’t seeing the

improvement we should be seeing, given all we know now

about this disease today. In fact, the ten-year survival rate in

Canada is four times higher for breast cancer than lung cancer.

For more information on lung cancer, visit the BC Lung Association web site at bc.lung.ca

Did You Know?

· Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer

in the world – causing more deaths than

breast and prostate cancer put together.

· Smoking causes most lung cancers.

However, about half of patients who

are diagnosed have never smoked

(15%) or are former smokers (35%).

· One in thirteen Canadians will develop

lung cancer during his/her lifetime.

· Only one in every 10 people with lung

cancer is alive 5 years after diagnosis.

· Most lung cancers are diagnosed

in late stages, due in part to lack of

effective screening procedures.

· In 2009, there were an estimated

20,500 lung cancer deaths in Canada.

· In 2010, there will be an estimated

24,200 new cases of lung cancer.

· On average, 465 Canadians will be

diagnosed with lung cancer every week.

· On average, 395 Canadians will die of

lung cancer every week.

Lung Cancer Patients Get

Little SympathyInterestingly, the rate of investment into

research for lung cancer is four times

lower than that for breast cancer.”

McDonald added, “We have to do away

with this stigma and work towards

earlier detection, improved treatments

and a cure for lung cancer – while at

the same time continuing our preven-

tion programs, foremost being to help

tobacco users quit and ensure young

people never start smoking in the first

place. If you are unlucky enough to

have lung cancer, the last thing you

need is to feel blame. More than any-

thing, you need kindness and support,

given without judgment.”

According to Lung Cancer Canada, 35

percent of the people who get it are

former smokers and 50 percent are cur-

rent smokers. But 15 percent of those

who get lung cancer never smoked.

Forget the stigma; these are human beings who need early detection and a cure.

bc.lung.ca 7

Smokers and former smokers are at risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Some non-smokers can also get COPD. If you are over 40 years old and smoke or used to smoke, you may already have it.

Take this quick test to screen for symptoms of COPD:

1. Do you cough regularly?

2. Do you cough up phlegm regularly?

3. Do even simple chores make you short of breath?

4. Do you wheeze when you exert yourself, or at night?

5. Do you get frequent colds that persist longer than those of

other people you know?

if you answer yes to any one of the above questions, talk to your doctor about receiving spirometry.

Many people go to the dentist

to get their teeth checked and go

to the doctor to have their blood

pressure and cholesterol levels

tested, but very few think of ever

having their lungs tested.

The BC Lung Association wants

British Columbians to be aware of

their lung health.

“Spirometry is a simple test

of how well you can breathe. It

can help diagnose different lung

diseases,including chronic obstruc-

tive pulmonary disease (COPD) and

asthma,” says Kelly Ablog-Morrant,

Health Education Director for the

BC Lung Association. “Spirometry

can also check the current condi-

tion of your lungs, help to find the

cause of shortness of breath and, if

you have lung disease, make sure

your medication is working.

“Too many people have lung

disease and do not know it, and

they suffer when they don’t have

to suffer. We promote the early

diagnosis of lung conditions and

encourage people to get their

lungs tested when appropriate,”

says Ablog-Morrant.

Not everyone needs a spirom-

etry test, but talk to your doctor

about spirometry if you:

· are over age 40 and smoke, or if you used to smoke;

· cough a lot;

· become short of breath when walking quickly or doing simple activities;

· are worried about the health of your lungs; and

· are already receiving treat-ment for a lung disease.

The earlier spirometry is done,

the earlier lung disease can be

detected and treated.

Have you had yourlungs tested?

What does spirometry measure?

Spirometry tells your doctor if

you are breathing normally. It does

this through different breathing

measurements, including:

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)The largest amount of air that

you can breathe out after you take

your biggest breath in.

Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV-1)The amount of air you can force

out of your lungs in one second.

If the amount of air you blow

out in the first second is low, you

might have a lung disease such

as asthma or COPD. If you have

already been diagnosed with

asthma or COPD, spirometry can

be use to determine if your

current treatment is working.

This test is

for information

purposes only.

It should not

replace your

doctor’s advice.

If you think you

may have COPD

or are worried

about your lung

health, please

see your doctor.

Take the Lung

Health Test

To learn about COPD and asthma visit bc.lung.ca

8 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010

On June fifth

2010, nearly

four hundred

Rushers took

to the streets of

Vancouver to

take part in

the BC Lung

Association’s

newest fund-

raising event:

The RUSH: Race & Urban

Scavenger Hunt.

Think of it as an intense, one day version of TV’s Amazing Race; participants were asked to do and try things they’ve likely never done before.”Marissa McFadyen,

RUSH Event Coordinator

““Introducing the BC Lung Association’s newest event:

The RUSH. It’s an epic, one-day race and urban scav-

enger hunt in which two-person teams are required

to complete a predetermined number of Checkpoint

Challenges at unknown locations throughout Vancou-

ver. To take part each team had to raise a minimum of

$200 to help fight lung disease.

How it works: Teams of two are given clues and

riddles at the start line to decipher the whereabouts

of Checkpoint Challenge locations. At their disposal: a near limitless array of resources including friends,

strangers, cell phones, & the Internet. Prohibited: any

mode of transportation other than public transit or

two feet. The Ultimate Goal: to cross the finish line first

and claim the Grand Prize: A Trip For Two Around The

World donated by event sponsor Pfizer Canada.

The 2010 WinnersThis year’s participants had to complete four

mandatory and six ‘elective’ Checkpoint Challenges

before heading back to the finish line. Claiming grand

prize were best buddies Steve Dutchak and Tyler

Janzen of North Vancouver who finished in two hours

and 40 minutes flat.

“What a riot,” said Dutchak, “You should have seen

all of us running around town with our road maps;

consulting our portable GPS and iPhones to get from one

spot to another. I’ve never run so fast so far in my life.

I was afraid if I sat down I’d never get up. There is no

question, the RUSH is an experience I’ll never forget!”

What’s The RUSH?

The BC Lung Association would like to thank all the volunteers, supporters and the nearly 400 Rushers who took

part in the 2010 inaugural RUSH and helped raise more than $100,000 towards the fight for lung health!. We

look forward to seeing you all next year!

To learn about The RUSH visit

rushvancouver.com

Below: Winners Tyler Janzen (left) and Steve Dutchak (right).

PREMIER EVENT SPoNSoR: Pinnacle PursuitsMEDIA SPoNSoR: The Beat 94.5Pfizer Canada Whistler SkydivingVancouver Kiteboarding SchoolPacific Surf School

THANK you EVENT SPoNSoRS

Top: Entrapment: a Checkpoint where teams had to

make their way through a laser-like maze of string

carrying an oversized cigarette without making contact.

Above: You and What Army? was a Checkpoint where teams had to make

their way through a gruelling boot camp type activity – which included a physi-

cal obstacle course and finished with a race to peel a potato.

Above: Next Top Project Runway: a Checkpoint where

teams had to strap on soaking wet clothes, strut the runway

and strike a pose for a volunteer army of photographers.

10 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010

Wildfire Health Tips2010 will go on record as one of the most intense fire seasons in the past decade with BC wildfires charring more than 300,000 hectares, an area larger than Metro Vancouver.

Fire smoke contains a chemical soup of hazardous substances which can be a real irritant for even the healthiest people; but is especially hard on the elderly, young children and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

Here are some tips to reduce your personal health risk:

HER

WIG

PH

OTO

“ As global warming continues we can

expect even more forest fires, so we need

to educate British Columbians about what

to do to protect their health.”

Dr. Menn Biagtan, Program Manager for the BC Lung Association

5. Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.

6. Run your air conditioner, if you

have one. Keep the fresh air in-

take closed and the filter clean to

prevent bringing additional smoke

inside. note: If you don’t have an

air conditioner, staying inside with

the windows closed may be dan-

gerous in extremely hot weather.

In these cases, seek clean air shel-

ter such as shopping malls or use

air cleaners with HEPA filters.

7. Help keep particle levels inside

lower. Be sure to properly ventilate

cooking spaces, reduce emissions

from heating, eliminate tobacco

smoke, and avoid vacuuming.

8. If you have asthma or other

chronic illness be sure to follow

your asthma or COPD action plan.

Protect yourself.

1. Pay attention to local air quality

reports and stay alert to health

warnings related to smoke.

2. Check the Air Quality Health In-

dex (AQHI) forecast for your area.

The AQHI is a tool that indicates

the immediate risks to health or

current and near future levels of

monitored air pollutants and offers

health messages and guidance.

3. Use common sense. If it looks

smoky outside, it’s probably

not a good time to mow the

lawn or go for a run. And it’s

probably not a good time for

your children to play outdoors.

If your breathing becomes dif-

ficult or uncomfortable, stop or

reduce the activity.

4. If you are advised to stay indoors,

take steps to keep indoor air as

clean as possible. Keep your win-

dows and doors closed — unless

it’s extremely hot outside.

bc.lung.ca 11

Paul Muntak offers a home inspection service for a health hazard nobody can see, smell, taste or touch.

Muntak is a certified radon gas mitigator, a relative-

ly new trade in Canada that has come about as more

homeowners educate themselves about the dangers

of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas.

The second leading cause of lung cancer after

smoking, radon is a naturally occurring gas and

can leak into homes through cracks and gaps at the

ground level.

While people can cope with exposure to small

amounts of radon, exposure to elevated quantities

over a longer period of time can damage the lung’s

cell structure and potentially trigger cancer growths.

“It’s not a question of whether radon is there, but

how much is in your home,” says Muntak. “Levels tend

to become elevated over the winter months when our

homes remain tightly sealed. That’s why this is the

best time of year for testing radon levels.”

In Canada, it is estimated that one in ten lung

cancer deaths is attributable to radon.

Working out of Nelson, BC, Muntak says he has

been testing homes in the BC Kootenay Region for

close to a year and has found radon readings as high

as 6105 Bq/m3 (becquerels per cubic meter) thirty

times the suggested Canadian guideline of 200 Bq/m3.

“What can be frustrating is that there’s no easy

answer as to where hazardous radon levels may be

found,” continued Muntak. “Two

homes in the same area can test

very differently and both new and

old homes are affected. Luckily,

even high readings can be easily

brought down to safe levels.”

Muntak suggests owners do

simple things such as seal base-

ment wall and floor cracks and

cover and seal any exposed soil

areas with plastic sheeting. If

a test indicates a home’s radon

levels are very high, a certified

contractor can install a ventila-

tion system to ensure the gas

naturally flows out of your home,

instead of staying sealed inside.

A typical cost, according to

Muntak, would be $3,000 includ-

ing HST for an average home

with a basement.

“I tell people the best way to

know if your home is safe is to

invest in a simple and inexpen-

sive radon test and go from there.

There is no reason to panic as ra-

don problems can be easily fixed,”

added Muntak.

Note: Leading Health Authorities expect

only a small percentage of Canadian

homes will have radon levels above the

safe national guideline of 200 Bq/m3.

How do I test my home for Radon?

Testing for radon is easy and

inexpensive. Buy a radon test kit

online or from a retailer. Health

Canada recommends you buy a

long-term test kit – one that meas-

ures radon levels for a minimum

of three months.

Put the radon detector in the

lowest lived-in level of your home,

and leave it there for at least three

months. Afterwards, mail it to the

manufacturer and they will send

you the test results.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

order your FREE radon test kit!

Beginning October 10, 2010 the

BC Lung Association is making

FREE radon test kits available on a

first come, first served while sup-

plies last. To order, call

1 800 665 LUNG (5864) or email

info@bc.lung.ca

Radon  Is It In your home?

12 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2010

Asthma is a serious global health problem, affecting over 300 million people worldwide. The disease

is predominantly an inflammatory dis-

order of the conducting airways, and

can be treated or controlled using cur-

rent therapies. However, uncontrolled

asthma leads to continual inflamma-

tion and damage, resulting in perma-

nent scarring.

Dr. Tillie Hackett of the UBC James Hogg

Research Centre at the Heart + Lung

Institute – recipient of a 2010 research

grant from the BC Lung Association –

talks here about how her research

may uncover clues to new and better

asthma therapies.

What are you researching?

My research is focused on how the lung repairs itself fol-

lowing the normal exposures we breathe in everyday such

as aeroallergens, pollution and viruses. Most people don’t

know the sur face a rea o f the lung i s 160 m2, wh ich

equates to the singles area of a tennis court, all neatly

folded away into our rib cage. That’s a lot of air our lungs

need to filter with every breath to remove minute toxins.

Thankfully, our lung is lined with a defensive barrier called

the airway epithelium which like our skin or the lining of

the digestive tract works with our immune system to re-

move foreign substances from the lung.

Working to improve the lives of

asthma sufferers

Q&A with BC Lung Association 2010 Research Grant

Recipient, Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett

Why and how do you hope to help people with asthma?

Despite significant advances in our understanding of the

mechanisms involved in asthma and availability of reliever

therapies, asthma still affects the daily lives of many Cana-

dians. In fact, the direct cost for asthma treatment in Can-

ada is currently estimated at $600

million per annum, which equates

to 14% of health care funding, mak-

ing asthma the second most expen-

sive disease to treat.

We now understand that the lining

of the airways (the airway epithelium)

displays signs of damage in patients

with asthma. Thus we need to un-

derstand the normal mechanisms

of epi thel ia l repai r to develop

better medications. We hope, by

achieving a greater understanding of

how the airway lining repairs itself, we

will be able to develop better medications to improve the

lives of Canadians with lung diseases.

The BC Lung Association provides approximately $1.2 million each

year to physicians and scientists doing research in British Columbia

on lung diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, cystic

fibrosis, tuberculosis, and many others.

RESEARCH PROFILE

Asthma treatment in Canada

is currently estimated at

$600 million per year, which

equates to 14% of health

care funding, making asthma

the second most expensive

disease to treat.

bc.lung.ca 13

1Set a Quit DateSetting a date helps you take action and

make a firm plan. It’s a step ahead of

“thinking about quitting smoking someday soon.”

2 Enroll with QuitNowQuitNow By Phone’s (1 877 455 2233) trained

Care Coaches can help you set up a quit

plan that works best for you, or join the QuitNow

Online community (www.quitnow.ca) for peer

support, encouragement and advice.

3 Consider Stop Smoking MedicationsStop smoking aids, like nicotine replace-

ment therapy products and quit medications can

double, even triple a person’s success rate. Talk to

your physician, pharmacist or QuitNow-by-phone

Care Coach to see whether this is an option for you.

Some people have also achieved success with alter-

native therapies, such as hypnosis and acupuncture.

4 Change your Daily Routine Tobacco is a part of your daily routine and

lifestyle, so change the routine. Take a dif-

ferent route to work, have coffee breaks with non-

smokers, avoid situations where you know other

smokers are going to be, and make your home and

vehicle tobacco-free.

5 Get Support from Family & Friends Let your family and friends know what they

can do to help you: Do you want them to ask how

you’re doing, or would you rather not talk

about it? Ask them to be kind if you’re

cranky. Sharing experiences with

people who are also quitting

can help you – and them.

8Participate in Regular Physical ActivityPhysical activity can be very

helpful when you are trying to quit

smoking. Smokers are less likely

to be physically active, and people

who are physically active are less

likely to smoke.

9Reward yourselfQuitting smoking is a

Big Deal! So acknowledge

that and give yourself rewards as

you reach your goals. Start a money

jar or a freedom account and set

aside the money you’ll save by quit-

ting. Think of what you can do with

all the money you’re not spending

on tobacco!

10Believe that you Can Do ItStudies of tobacco users

who successfully quit confirm one

of the most important elements to

success is believing you can do it!

6 Prepare for With-drawal & Cravings Most relapses occur within

the first three months, and most

people try several times before

they quit. However, if you antici-

pate the challenges, like nicotine

withdrawal and cravings, you can

prepare some coping strategies to

get you through. Remember, crav-

ings come in waves and last only

about 5 minutes, so practice the

4Ds (Delay, Deep breathing, Drink

water, Distract) and ride it out.

7 Change your Eating HabitsStock up on fruits and

vegetables, prep them for a quick

snack, and you’ll have something

to reach for when you get a crav-

ing. Keep baby carrots, celery,

grapes and apples at hand when

you read or watch TV. Drinking

ice water will also help keep the

cravings at bay.

Top 10 Quit TipsReady to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.

field notes

1Encouraging golf lovers to give a little to help make lung disease history

At a cost of only $35 the Golf Privilege

Club© Membership book offers deep

discounts and reduced fees at close

to 500 courses in BC,

Alberta, Saskatchewan,

Manitoba, & Washington

State. By giving just a

little, golfers receive

great savings and

can help make lung

disease history. Call

1 800 665 5864 to

order your 2010

golf book!

2Helping put patients first by advocating for improve-ments in BC Pharmacare

The BC Lung Association is an active

member of the Better Pharmacare

Coalition, an advocacy organization

comprised of ten provincial health

organizations and consumer interest

groups. The Better Pharmacare Coalition

works to ensure appropriate and timely

BC Pharmacare program

coverage for evidence-

based prescription

medications and health

products. For more infor-

mation, visit

www.betterpharmacare.org

4Supporting an under-served lung patient population COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease – is amongst the most overlooked chronic con-

ditions in Canada. As the disease progresses, it has a profound

impact on the quality of patients’ lives. Lung function may de-

cline to the point where regular daily activities such as walking

and dressing are extremely difficult. In an effort to reach out to

lung patients, the BC Lung Association is working to expand its

Better Breathers’ support groups across BC. In September, a

new group was established in Vancouver’s North Shore region.

Call Kelly Ablog-Morrant at 1 800 665 5864 or email

ablog@bc.lung.ca for more information.

5Planning the next North American meeting of leaders in TB control

As the North American Meeting

Secretariat for the International Union

Against Tuberculosis (TB) and Lung

Disease, the BC Lung Association plays

a role on the global stage. Plans are

already well under way for the 2011

Meeting taking place February 24-26

in Vancouver. More than 300 global

TB experts will meet to discuss clinical,

diagnostic, scientific and social changes

to tuberculosis control.

$35Only

The ultimate golf

savings book!

Save up to 50% in green fees at over 500 of

the finest golf courses in Western Canada

and Washington.

GOLF&

SAVE!

A Lung Association Fundraiser

1.800.665.5864 www.golfandsave.ca

The BC Lung Association has been dedicated to its mission of promoting and improving lung health for all British Columbians for over 100 years. Here are some of the things we’ve been up to lately.

3Announcing the winners of the 26th Annual Fresh Air Photo Contest The Lung Association and London Drugs

wrapped up their Annual Fresh Air Photo Contest

in August. The yearly contest challenges amateur

photographers from across Western Canada to

send in their best Fresh Air photo.

One overall Grand Prize is awarded as well as a

second, third and fourth place prizes. This year,

for the first time, the contest allowed participating

photographers to enter their photos online as well

in print. Visit www.bc.lung.ca to check out the

winning photographs.

Gabriola by Erin Thommery, Comox BC

14 Your Health — Fall/Winter 2010

10 Spreading the word about our quit smok-ing support services

Thanks to the efforts of our QuitNow

detailing team, made up of health

promotion professionals from across

BC, more and more smokers ready to

quit are learning

about our free

QuitNow services.

By meeting and

speaking with

BC health care

providers (family

doctors, dentists

and pharmacists)

as well as directly

with the public,

we’re succeeding in helping thousands

of British Columbians stop smoking.

7 Hosting Breathing Test Events across BC

In collaboration with lung

health community members and re-

tail pharmacy partners province-wide,

the BC Lung Association is working to

raise awareness of the importance of

a routine breathing (spirometry) test

for those most at risk: smokers or ex-

smokers over age 40. During October

and November 2010 the Association

is co-hosting a series of free breathing

test events where the public is invited

come out and meet with local lung

health professional and take a simple

test to determine how well their lungs

are working.

9Appointing our new 2010 BC Lung Association Volunteer Chair

The BC Lung Association’s 2010 Board

of Directors was elected at its annual

general meeting in

Vancouver in June

2010. This year the

Association elected

long-standing vol-

unteer director Muff

Hackett of Squamish

as volunteer Chair.

Mrs. Hackett is a

cherished member

of the BC Lung Association family and

is currently employed by School District

No. 48 Sea to Sky.8 Lawn bowling for a good cause: The Benefits of Bocce Tournament 2010

For the second year in a row, the BC Lung Association

partnered with the organizers of The Annual Benefits

of Bocce Tournament. This year’s event took place on Saturday,

August 21, 2010 at the bocce pits in North Vancouver. Thirty-

five enthusiastic bocce teams partook in a full day of Italian

lawn bowling action! Post-event fundraising will continue until

end October with organizers hopeful of reaching their $50,000

fundraising target. All proceeds will be donated to the BC Lung

Association. Thank you Benefits of Bocce organizers, sponsors

and participants for a fabulous event!

6Celebrating the success of our RBC GranFondo Whistler SUPERTEAM!

September 12, 2010 marked the first

annual RBC GranFondo Whistler –

a mass, competitive cycling race.

Nearly 4,000 riders participated

overall including a total 110 BC Lung

Association SUPERTEAM members

who together raised nearly $114,000

in support of vital lung health and air

quality programs. Thank you GranFondo

SUPERTEAM!

TOURISM WHISTLER / CHAD CHOMLACK

bc.lung.ca 15

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063885

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2