your health — fall & winter 2011
DESCRIPTION
IN THIS ISSUE: Ever been told you cough a lot? • Got a cough that won’t leave you alone? • Kick Germs to the Curb • It’s Quitting Time • Not only is this our newest event, it’s also our most outrageous • Radon: Home Invader • There’s no such thing as healthy smoke • Trek 27: Bicycle trek for Life and BreathTRANSCRIPT
and the air you breathe
FA L L & W I N T E R 2011
Trek 2011’s unusual rides and riders p.12
Laura and Zena beat the six hour RUSH p.8
What your mother never told you about campfires p.11
Got a cough that just won’t go away?Our new site 3weekcough.ca tells
you what it could mean. PAGE 4
Your HealthFall & Winter 2011
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
www.bc.lung.ca
StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald
Editor: Katrina van Bylandt
Contributing Writer/Editors:
Emily Wall
Janis Hass
Layout & Design: Matthew Shettler
Medical Advisory Committee:Dr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,
St. Paul’s Hospital
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. Darlene Reid, Div. Of Physical Therapy, UBC
Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC
Dr. David Speert, BC Research Centre
Executive Committee:Mrs. Muff Hackett, Chairperson
Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice-Chairperson
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
Dr. Robert Schellenberg, Director
Cover: ________________________
bc.lung.ca 3
Important Dates
October 14 World Spirometry Day
November 2011 Lung Cancer
Awareness Month
November 16 World COPD Day
(Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease)
January 17-23 National Non-Smoking
Week
January 18 Weedless Wednesday
March 5-11 National Sleep
Awareness Week
March 24
World Tuberculosis Day
BC Lung Association Blog We encourage you to visit our new blog! There
you’ll find health and wellness tips and regular
updates about BC Lung Association research,
education, advocacy and fundraising activities.
Visit our blog at
http://bclungassociation.wordpress.com
Ever been told you cough a lot?
Your cough may be acute (it lasts a little while) or
chronic (it lasts a long time). If you have a cough that
last for three weeks or longer, it’s important to see your
doctor and get the right diagnosis and treatment.
A cough that won’t go away is not a disease in itself.
It is a sign that something could be wrong with your
breathing system. That’s why it’s important to see your
doctor and find out what’s causing your cough.
To raise awareness about coughs that won’t go away,
the Lung Association is launching a national media
campaign this November that uses humour to get
the message out. The goal is to drive people to a new
website: 3weekcough.ca
See page 4 for more campaign details.
It’s one of the number one reasons for family doctor visits.
4 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2011
Cough is one of the top reasons why
people visit their family doctors. Many
coughs are not life-threatening, but they
can be life-disabling. Chronic cough can
affect people’s sleep, and can some-
times lead to retching, vomiting and
even incontinence. Chronic cough can
also make people worry that something
may be wrong with their health.
To raise awareness about coughs that
won’t go away, the Lung Association is
launching a national media campaign
in November that uses humour to get
the message out.
The campaign’s 30-second TV ad
features a “3 week cough” character
who is singing inside of a giant mouth.
Says Janis Hass, Director of Marketing
and Communications for the national
office of the Lung Association, “He’s
crooning a Frank Sinatra-like tune that
we hope will become an ‘earworm,’
one of those infectious songs that get
stuck in people’s heads.”
“This campaign is a real departure
for us. We usually do campaigns
on specific lung diseases. But this
year, we’ve decided to focus on a
symptom that’s common to many
lung diseases — a cough that won’t
go away,” continued Hass.
“We’re also using humour, instead of
fear tactics, to attract attention. The goal
is to drive people to a new website
(www.3weekcough.ca, which goes
live on November 7th) and to call our
toll-free number, so they can talk to
a certified respiratory educator,” she
added.
A cough that lasts for three weeks or
longer can be worrying, so finding
out the cause is important. It could
be caused by an infection or a sign
that your diagnosed lung disease
is not under control. Or it could be
something unrelated to lung disease.
A cough that’s caused by an infection
is usually gone by eight weeks. If it
lasts eight weeks or longer, it’s called
a chronic cough. It can be caused by
many minor things, such as post-nasal
drip, acid reflux, allergies, or side effects
from medication.
If you have a persistent cough and
would like to talk to one of our
certified respiratory educators,
call the BreathWorks Helpline:
1-866-717-COPD (2673).
A cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer is just not normal. Visit 3weekcough.ca
Have people ever told you that you cough a lot? Do you cough up phlegm regularly?
Got a cough that won’t leave you alone?
bc.lung.ca 5
Everyone has had the flu at some
point in their life. There are the aches,
fever, tiredness, sore nose, and general
unpleasantness; but most people feel
better after one or two weeks, right?
Wrong.
For some, the flu can lead to serious
complications, such as pneumonia. In
fact, approximately 20,000 Canadians
end up at a hospital every year because
of the flu, and 2,000 to 8,000 die
because of the flu and complications.
In this issue of Your Health magazine
we thought we’d review the basics
of flu prevention, beginning by
identifying those at greatest risk of flu
complications.
Who is at higher risk of flu complications?· All children from 6 months up to 19
years of age
· All adults 50 years of age and older
· All women who are or will be
pregnant during the flu season
· People who are living in nursing
homes or long-term-care facilities
· Individuals who have long-term health
problems
Which people are eligible for a free seasonal flu shot?British Columbians eligible for a free flu shot provided at
public health clinics across the province include:
· 65 years of age and over
· Pregnant women
· Indigenous people 15 years of age and over
· Residents of nursing homes and other long-term
care facilities
· Any person six months of age and over with a condition
predisposing to severe influenza illness that requires
regular medical follow-up or hospitalisation such as: cardiac
disease; chronic respiratory disease; kidney disease, diabetes,
impaired immunity and chronic neuromuscular disease.
Where can I get my free flu shot?For information public health clinics providing flu shots to
those eligible, visit immunizebc.ca or dial Healthlink BC at
8-1-1 anywhere in BC.
If I come down with the flu, when should I see a doctor?Consult your doctor early if you develop flu-like symptoms
and you have a condition that puts you at higher risk of
complications. Antiviral medication is most effective if given
within 48 hours once symptoms start, and the sooner
the better. Note: You should also call your doctor if your
symptoms get worse, such as shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing, chest pain, or signs of dehydration (dizziness when
standing, low urine output).
Kick Germs to the Curb
· Health care workers who have direct
contact with patients
· Caregivers and household contacts of
children less than 6 months of age
How can I prevent catching the flu? 1. Get the flu shot and/or pneumonia
vaccine ASAP, particularly if you are
at higher risk.
2. Wash hands frequently.
3. Avoid contact with infected
individuals.
4. Don’t be a hero; if you’re sick, stay at
home.
5. Cover your mouth (and nose) when
you cough or sneeze.
6. Talk to your doctor about antiviral
medications to help prevent infection
if you’re at risk.
7. Smoking weakens the lungs and
makes it harder for them to fight off
infection, so now’s a great time to quit!
8. Wear a mask if you’re cleaning a
dusty or moldy surface.
9. If you’ve had surgery, make sure to
exercise your lungs by taking deep
breaths to avoid pneumonia.
10. Dress for what the weather is really
like — not how you wish it was!
What you need to know about the flu, and how to prevent it.
6 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2011
If you smoke, you’ve probably thought about quitting. Either you’ve tried and not quite made it, talked yourself out of it, or you’ve thought, “Yeah, I’ll quit. Someday.”
Well, maybe today is the day.
If you haven’t already heard, as of September
30, 2011, the BC government initiated its new
BC Smoking Cessation Program. It’s a program
designed to help BC smokers quit by assisting them
with the cost of medical quit smoking aids.
And it’s a permanent addition to the province’s
medical coverage.
Medical smoking cessation aids include Nicotine
Replacement Therapy (NRT) products and the
prescription medications bupropion (Zyban) and
varenicline (Champix). Both exist to help people
cope with withdrawal systems associated with
quitting smoking and can be very effective. The
challenge is to discover which works best for you
and this may take some trial and error.
For example, NRT products come in a variety of
forms - patches, gum, inhalers and lozenges. Some
people prefer the patch, others the gum, lozenges or
inhaler. And of course there are people for whom NRT
products don’t work at all.
For others, prescription medications have the
greatest impact. Note however, to try a prescription
medication you will first need to meet with a doctor
to determine which medication is best and what the
proper dosage would be.
In terms of the best way to quit smoking, the reality
is there is no sure-fire approach. Some people quit
cold turkey while others seek support tools and
counselling. One thing however is proven. Evidence
confirms if smokers use smoking cessation aids to
help them quit, they stand to double their chances of
a successful quit.
For full information on quit smoking aids, which specific aids are covered, and how to use them correctly, visit www.quitnow.ca and read the QuitNow Medication Guide
It’s Quitting TimeIntroducing the BC Smoking Cessation Program
bc.lung.ca 7
Ready to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.
If you are planning to quit smoking, the important thing to remember is that
your quit experience will be as unique as you are. Nicotine gum may have
worked wonders for your friend or co-worker, but it might not be what works
for you. And quit smoking aids alone won’t do the trick. You need to make
a plan, be prepared to deal with cravings and setbacks, and make use of all
resources available to you, like QuitNow services at www.quitnow.ca
QuitNow provides tools that will help you plan, manage and succeed at
quitting. As of September 1, 2011, we now have a whole new look and
some new features that we think you’ll find really helpful. They include:
• QuitNowbyTxt,aninnovativeprogramthatdeliversquittipsanden-
couragement to subscribers’ phones on a daily basis;
• Anonlinecommunityoffellow-quitterswhoaretherearoundtheclock
to share their experience, answer questions and offer support;
• Asavingscalculatorthatcalculateshowmuchmoneyyou’vesaved
since you stopped smoking based on how much you smoked;
• AskanExpertfunctionthatallowsyoutogetyourquestionsanswered
by our quit specialists within 48 hours;
• Andmuchmore—forfree.
QuitNow Services: Here to Help
Check out all the tools available, and be sure you take
advantage of the best support networks and tools to
help you on your quit journey. We know you can do
it—andwe’llbeheretocheeryouoneverystepof
the way!
For more information on QuitNow services or to read the
QuitNow Medication Guide, visit www.quitnow.ca. To learn
more about the BC Smoking Cessation program and what
quit smoking aids are available, or to register for the BC
Smoking Cessation Program, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
You can also use this number to contact a CareCoach who
can help you plan your quit. Just call 8-1-1 and ask for
QuitNow By Phone.
I’m sure you all remember the new
Amazing-Race-style fundraising event
we pioneered last year: the Race and
Urban Scavenger Hunt.
Not only is this our newest event, it’s also our most outrageous.For the second year running, hundreds
of two-person teams showed up bright
and early on a Saturday in June to battle it
out for the title and a trip for two around
the world sponsored by Pfizer Canada.
Each were given clues to decipher the
whereabouts of multiple Checkpoint
Challenges in and around Downtown
Vancouver. To complete the race, teams
had to complete ten challenges in the
six hour time period. It wasn’t easy,
especially because they were restricted
to travelling between checkpoints
by foot or public transit. They were,
however, allowed to consult friends,
strangers and smart phones for help.
For some it was a chance to test their
mental and physical mettle, for others,
including 2011 grand prize winners Zena
ED M
ALLE
TTKE
VIN
WU
KEVI
N W
U
KEVI
N J
MEL
LIS
JORG
E PO
SAD
AJO
RGE
POSA
DA
GEO
RGE
DIA
CON
U
GEO
RGE
DIA
CON
U
GEO
RGE
DIA
CON
U
NO
RM C
HIU
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
Davidson and Laura Travelbea, it
was a more personal challenge.
Zena said, “We took part in tribute
to my nine year-old niece Brynn who
suffers from lung disease. Laura and
I are nurses at Vancouver General
Hospital and we see people on a
daily basis who would do anything
to have healthier lungs. We’re thrilled
to have won the RUSH grand prize,
but feel equally good about making
a contribution in support of new
treatments and cures for those
suffering from breathing problems.”
Enormous thanks to Zena and Laura
and all of our 2011 participants, volun-
teers and sponsors for their support!
Not only did we collectively raise close
to $70,000 but once again shared in a
never-to-be-forgotten experience, jam-
packed with jaw-dropping moments.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks to our
awesome team of photographers, we
captured hundreds of priceless RUSH
2011 moments. To see more, visit
bc.lung.ca/campaigns_and_events/
the_rush.html
Pinnacle Pursuits
The Beat 94.5 FM
103.5 QM/FM
Follow Me Foodie
TELUS
Earls on Robson
PixelBooth
Fly Zone Bodyflight
Fullline Specialities Inc
Impact Magazine
Stanley Park Brewery
Pacific Surf School
THANK YOU 2011 SPONSORS
Matrix Production Services
Wink Beauty Lounge
Mahony & Sons Public House
Thrill the World Vancouver
Kalev Fitness Solution
Bikram’s Yoga Richmond
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Bella Gelateria
Richmond Museum
Pfizer
ED M
ALLE
TT
KEVI
N J
MEL
LIS
KEVI
N W
U
KEVI
N W
U
JORG
E PO
SAD
A
JORG
E PO
SAD
A
GEO
RGE
DIA
CON
U
GEO
RGE
DIA
CON
U
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
CYN
THIA
MO
LLIS
ON
Winners Laura and Zena
KEVI
N J
MEL
LIS
10 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2011
Home Invader
Radon is a gas produced by the decay of naturally-occurring uranium in soil and water. Health Canada estimates that exposure to radon causes between 3–14 percent of all lung cancers. And it’s much more likely to cause lung cancer when combined with cigarette smoke, the leading cause.
What is radon?Odourless and invisible, radon gas can seep into
your home through cracks at concrete floor-wall
junctions, gaps in the floor, pores in hollow-block
walls and sumps and drains.
How much radon enters a home depends on how
much uranium is in the ground underneath it, how
easily it can get into your home, and the rate of air
exchange between indoor and outdoor areas
(due to variations in construction, ventilation and
window seals).
While outdoor radon levels are usually very low,
radon gas can get trapped inside buildings thus
causing potentially harmful radon gas concentration.
For this reason, most exposure happens in the home.
Unfortunately, at this point there is no known
threshold under which radon exposure is safe. And
because radon levels vary geographically – even
between adjacent homes – and from one day (or hour)
to another, the only way to know if you have high
levels of radon is to test your home.
How can I test my home for radon?The good news is radon test kits are inexpensive,
easy to use and are available to purchase now at
hardware stores. In addition, a limited supply will be
available first come, first served, through the BC Lung
Association as of November 2011. Call 1-800-665-5864
for details or email [email protected].
To test your home, simply place the radon kit (a
very small item) in the basement or bottom floor and
allow it to sit for at least three months. This allows
the measurement of fluctuations in radon levels over
time. (Note: Health Canada recommends you test your
home for a minimum of three months but ideally for as
long as 12 months). At the end of the three month test
period, you will send your radon kit to a laboratory for
analysis and they will get back to you with your results.
If your home’s levels are high (above 200 Bq/m3),
Health Canada recommends you mitigate in order to
reduce radon levels in your home. You can undertake
to do it yourself, or you can contract a certified radon
mitigator. See www.bc.lung.ca for more information
about radon mitigation.
Please note: If you’re a smoker (or if you live with
a smoker and breathe in second-hand smoke) and in
addition your home radon levels are high, this puts
you at even greater risk of lung cancer. According to
our estimates, as many as 260 people out of 1,000
(one in four) of those exposed to both high radon
levels and tobacco smoke may develop lung cancer in
their lifetime.
Find out more about radon by attending one of our FREE
public health forums. Locations and dates are Barriere on
Nov 21, Nelson on Nov 23, and Vernon on Nov 24. For more
details, see page 14.
You might not have heard of radon, but you could be sharing your home with it.
Order your FREE
radon test kit
The BC Lung Association is making
FREE radon test kits available on
a first come, first served basis
while supplies last. To order, call
1 800 665 LUNG (5864) or email
bc.lung.ca 11
It’s that time of year again; we’ve gone from sandals, to umbrellas, to winter jackets.
It’s also the time of year to fire up those cozy wood stoves. But before you do, consider the impact your wood stove will have on the air you breathe.
There’s a tendency to discount wood smoke when
we’re thinking about air pollution, either because we
grew up with it or because we think of it as “natural.”
But in reality, it poses just as much of a health risk as
any other form of air pollution.
In fact, wood smoke produces two main types of pol-
lution: fine particles and gases, including carbon monox-
ide and formaldehyde. The mixture of pollutants are
known to aggravate or exacerbate symptoms of asthma
or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Because wood fireplaces and stoves are used to heat
homes, it is a form of air pollution that primarily
affects densely-populated residential areas. The pol lu-
tion emitted by heating your home with wood affects
the health of all your neighbours, particularly if you
live in an area where the topography traps pollution,
as in a valley, rather than allowing it to disperse.
The smoke from your wood stove travels into the
airaround—andpossiblyinside—yourhome.It’s
estimated that 30-60 percent of fine particles that
are carried outside by wood smoke can enter homes
through cracks, ventilation systems and open doors or
windows.
The good news is that by using a certified wood
stove, you can cut emissions by up to 70 percent and
save money. Newer stoves burn more efficiently, so
they don’t use as much wood. If you have a wood
stove from 1994 (when BC began certifying all wood
burning appliances to meet emissions standards) or
earlier, it’s time to consider an upgrade. You don’t
have to give up the tradition or comfort of wood
burning, just make sure you’re doing it responsibly!
Visit www.bc.lung.ca for more info on safe burning
practices and wood stove exchange programs in your area.
Safe Burning Tips
• Seasonfirewoodbysplittingit,
covering it, and aging for 6+
months
• Burnhardwood–andneverany
wood that has been treated with
chemicals
• Startfromscratch–usenewspaper
or dry kindling to start the fire,
not accelerators like gas, charcoal,
kerosene or propane
• Putoutthefireovernight–lettingit
smolder just adds unnecessary air
pollution to the atmosphere
• Cleanoutyourfireplaceregularly
and dispose of ash safely
• Sweepyourchimneytoavoid
chimney fires and provide a draft,
and don’t forget to have your
chimney inspected by a certified
professional at least once a year
• Followtherulesandbestpractices
of burning so that you don’t make
your neighbours uncomfortable
• Followmaintenanceanduse
instructions for your wood stove
• Upgradeyourequipmenttoamore
efficient, cleaner-burning model
• Don’tsupersize–makesure
the size of your wood-burning
appliance suits the area in which it
will be used
There’s no such thing as healthy smoke
12 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2011
Ken Jessiman and Laurie MacAdams
Meet sister and brother Trekkers
Laurie McAdams and Ken
Jessiman. Veteran cyclist Laurie
lives in Calgary and completes
over a dozen long distance rides
throughout the year. While
her brother Ken lives in North
Vancouver and just began cycling
this year. Both participated in this
year’s Bike Trek in honour of their
father, who suffers from COPD
(chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease).
“Dad was the inspiration for our
ride, but he’s an even bigger
inspiration in life. He’s 87, and
hasn’t let his COPD slow him
down at all. He refuses to be
defined by it and is still very active.
He even goes on the treadmill,”
said Laurie.
Given Bike Trek is held in the
Fraser Valley every year, where
both Laurie and Ken grew up,
their weekend journey was
meaningful in more ways than
one, and provided Laurie with an
opportunity to share her love of
cycling with brother Ken.
“Growing up I never realized how
varied and beautiful the scenery
is between White Rock and Cultus
Lake. It really is one of the most
beautiful routes I’ve ever ridden,
and given that I ride a lot, that’s
saying something, ” said Laurie.
This year marked the 27th anniversary of the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath.
Over the weekend of September 10–11, more than 200 cyclists from all
overBC—andafewplacesfurtherafield—convergedontheFraser
Valley to complete a 200km ride from White Rock to Cultus Lake in
support of lung health.
bicycle trekfor Life and Breath
The 2-day journey was everything a Bike Trek should be: beautiful,
challenging and in the end, very rewarding. Cyclists shared laughs, forged
friendshipsandreachedpersonalgoals—whileridingforacausethey
believe in.
Initiated by less than a dozen volunteers more than a quarter century ago,
our Bike Trek event and its supporters have helped raise more than $5
million to fight lung disease.
Many have been participating in the event for 10 or 20 years. This year our
youngest ‘Trekker’ was 14 and our oldest 82 years of age. In this issue
we’d like to introduce a just a few of the many dedicated Trekkers who
make it all possible.
JORG
E PO
SAD
A
NO
RM C
HIU
JORG
E PO
SAD
ASC
OTT
MC
DO
NAL
D
bc.lung.ca 13
Christa Hauzer & Lexie Nikita
Originally recruited by long-time
Trek team “The Wheezing Geezers,”
Christa Hauzer has participated
in Bike Trek for 14 years, the
past three of which she’s been
accompanied by Lexie Nikita,
her dog.
Lexie first travelled the route
as a six-week old puppy, today
she’s just over three years old.
Fortunately Lexie is a small
dog, so Christa intends to keep
bringing her back every year.
“Lexie knows the route better than
I do now. She can tell when it’s
time for a rest stop, and starts
getting very excited. And I love
having her along as much as she
loves the ride. She doesn’t squirm,
and is very well-behaved the
whole way.”
Aven & Reed Poynter
As the only two participants
travelling by tandem, Trekkers
Aven and Reed Poynter were hard
to miss!
Shikyo Sawada
Long-time Trekker Shikyo Sawada
is remarkable not only for his
speed—he’sfinishedtheinthe
top 20 cyclists every year at Bike
Trekforthepast14years—but
also for his unusual cycling
equipment.
This year he rode the entire
200km Trek journey on a Birdy
bike. And if you’ve heard of a Birdy
bike, you understand just what a
feat that was.
Birdy bikes are designed to be
portable. They have less sturdy
frames, much smaller wheels
and only 8 gears, so cyclists
must pedal twice as hard as on
a regular bike to go the same
distance. But this didn’t slow
Shikyo down. He says, “This is the
bike I take when I travel to Japan.
It’s handy and provides a healthy
way to get around. I thought it
would be funny to use it for Trek.
It was hard work, but I managed!”
For more information about the Bicycle
Trek for Life and Breath, contact the BC
Lung Association at 1 800 665 LUNG or
visit bc.lung.ca
Dunbar Cycles
The River 97.5
Whistler Question Mountain FM
Global BC
Star FM & Country 107.1
Budget Rental
Canadian Springs
GIANT Bicycles
Sugoi
Impact Magazine
Festival Cinemas
Gulf of Georgia
Museum of Vancouver
Vandusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver Trolley Company
Canadian Outback Adventures
Penticton Lakeside Resort
City of Burnaby
Vancouver Aquarium
Park Inn & Suites
Vancouver Art Gallery
Heffley Boutique Inn
The Power House at Stave Falls
Top Tables Group
Maplewood Farm
Sequoia Company
Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel
Vancouver Lookout
Imax Theatre Victoria
Old Spaghetti Factory
Vancouver Playhouse
Museum of Anthropology
Sunpeaks Lodge & Steakhouse
Capilano Suspension Bridge
City of Burnaby: Burnaby Village Museum
Greater Vancouver Zoo
THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS
A regular occurrence for this
happy couple, tandem bike travel
allows Reed, who is blind, and his
wife Aven to participate safely
in one of his and her favourite
pastimes. “Only trouble,” laughed
Aven, “is that sometimes I get
distracted by the scenery and do
a rather poor job of navigating. In
fact, I nearly landed us in a ditch
while we were cycling along a
particularly picturesque stretch of
the route!”
In addition to enjoying cycling
together, our BC Lung Association
Bike Trek event has added
significance for Aven, who works
as a paediatric Respirologist.
“The Lung Association has done so
much to help my patients over the
years, “continued Aven who values
the lung health information and
materials offered to her freely by
the BC Lung Association. “And
this is one way for me to give a
little bit back.”
More than that, despite his
technical disadvantage, Shikyo
placed amongst the first 15
cyclists to cross the finish line.
JORG
E PO
SAD
AJO
RGE
POSA
DA
SCO
TT M
CD
ON
ALD
SCO
TT M
CD
ON
ALD
JORG
E PO
SAD
A
JORG
E PO
SAD
A
field notesThe 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.
14 Your Health — Fall/Winter 2010
1Organizing free community health forums to raise awareness of radon risks.
Committed to fuelling action on air
quality and health issues, the BC Lung
Association continues to host its
annual community lecture series. This
year the series will focus on building
radon awareness.
Barriere, November 21, 2011 Multipurpose Room “ The Ridge”
4936 Barriere Town Rd, Barriere, BC
Time:6:00–9:00pm
Nelson - November 23, 2011 Hume Hotel, 422 Vernon Street
Time:6:00–9:00pm
Vernon - November 24, 2011 People Place, 101-3402 27th Ave.
Time:6:00–9:00pm
To register for one of the above forums
please contact the Association by
email: [email protected] or call toll-free
1-800-664-5864.
3Hosting the 2012 National Lung Health Conference in Vancouver. Vancouver
will be 2012 host city for the Lung
Association’s annual respiratory
conference ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’
takingplaceonApril26–28,2012
at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. The
conference is the once-a-year occasion
when Canada’s respiratory experts and
professionals converge on a Canadian
city to meet, exchange views and share
knowledge. For more information visit
the national Lung Association’s website
at www.lung.ca/crc
2Funding new research to detect, treat and manage lung disease. We invest in
research that contributes to advances in
the understanding and management of
lung disease. The BC Lung Association
continues to provide approximately
$1.1 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. 5Helping Karleigh Promote Her Clothespins for Clean Air. Born into a craft-making family, nine-year
old entrepreneur Karleigh of New Westminster started
going to craft fairs at age three, often joining her grandma.
Today she’s using her craft skills to help cure lung disease. “My
grandma makes and sells teddy bears in order to raise money
for my brother and my education funds. I decided I wanted to
do something for her. Because she suffers from Sarcoidosis,
a lung disease, I decided I wanted to raise money to help find
new lung disease treatments. That’s how I came up with my
Clothespins for Clean Air idea.” Learn more about Karleigh and
how you can obtain some of her home-decorated clothespins
at www.bc.lung.ca
4Celebrating our 27th Annual Fresh Air Photo Contest Winners. The Lung Association and London
Drugs launched their annual Fresh Air Photo Contest
on July 1, 2011. The contest challenges photographers from
across Western Canada to send in their best fresh air photo
to win fabulous prizes. First, second and third prizes were
awarded as well as one overall Grand Prize. See Siobhán
Smith of Gibsons, BC’s photo here. Visit www.bc.lung.ca to
check out all the winning photos.
Karleigh (left) with her brother Christian and Grandma Suzanne
bc.lung.ca 15
9Planning the next North American Meeting of Leaders in Global TB Control.
As the North American Secretariat for
the the Union Against Lung Disease &
TB, the BC Lung Association plays a
role on the global stage. Plans are
well underway for the 16th Annual
Meeting in San Antonio in February
2012. More than 400 global TB and
respiratory disease experts will meet to
discuss clinical, diagnostic, scientific and
social changes to TB control. For more
information, visit www.bc.lung.ca
10 Earning Lung Research Dollars By Selling Golf Savings. At a
cost of only $35, the Golf Privilege
Club© Membership book offers
deep discounts and reduced fees
at close to 300 courses in BC,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and
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 2012
golf book, which
will be out on
November 1, 2011.
7 Expanding Better Breathers’ Support Groups across BC. The BC Lung Association continues to
work to expand its Better Breathers Clubs across the
province. Better Breathers’ Clubs are support groups for
those with respiratory illness in BC. They meet once every
month and their goal is to help patients suffering from chronic
lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and
asthma (known collectively as COPD: Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease) to im prove their lives through education,
encouragement and fellowship. For more information contact
Kelly at the BC Lung Association office toll-free 1-800-665-5864.
6 Urging British Columbians at risk of COPD to get a lung test. COPD is the fourth leading
cause of death, and incidence of the deadly lung
disease continues to climb. Adding to the problem is that few
British Columbians know what it is, whether they’re at risk, or
how to get tested. Working together with BC Health Authorities,
regional respiratory health professionals and other community
partners, we’re encouraging people ‘at risk’ to participate in
free lung testing (spirometry) events we’ve organized across
BC during this November. Learn more at www.bc.lung.ca
8Supporting our Lung Association SUPERTEAM! at the RBC Granfondo Whistler.
September 10, 2011 marked the second
annual RBC GranFondo Whistler: a mass,
competitive cycling race. Nearly 7,300
riders participated overall including a total
of 54 BC Lung Association SUPERTEAM
members who together raised nearly
$55,000 in support of vital lung health
and air quality programs. Thank you
GranFondo SUPERTEAM!
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063885
Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2