your health - winter 2015
DESCRIPTION
BC Lung AssociationTRANSCRIPT
and the air you breathe
W I N T E R 2 0 1 6
I was told I’d need a new pair of lungs p.6
Five myths about tobacco addiction p.11
Our national campaign for lung research. p.3
2 Your Health — Winter 2016
Your HealthWinter 2016
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
bc.lung.ca
StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald
Editor: Katrina van Bylandt
Contributors:
Lex Dunn
Carlynn Ferguson-King
Tracey Jira
Christina Shorthouse
Britt Swoveland
Michael Vasilev
Layout & Design: Matthew Shettler
Page 3, 4, 5, & 12 illustrations: Lucas Green
Medical Advisory CommitteeDr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,
St. Paul’s Hospital (Chair)
Dr. Pat Camp, UBC, Rehab Medicine
Dr. Victoria Cook, TB Clinic, BC Centre for Disease Control
Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, Vancouver
Coastal Health
Dr. J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH
Dr. John Fleetham, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH
Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC
Dr. David Speert, Child & Family Research Institute
Executive CommitteeDr. Peter Paré, Chair
Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice-Chairperson
Dr. Kevin Elwood, Honourary Treasurer
Mr. Dan BoudreaultMr. Gary ChappleMr. Tom DeSorcyMr. Mike EllisMr. Richie GageMr. Walter HuebertMrs. Marilyn LawrenceMr. Scott MarshallMr. Keith MurrayDr. Robert Schellenberg
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.
Help stamp out lung disease.
1-800-665-LUNG bc.lung.ca
At the Lung Association, we know what it’s like for
people to struggle to take a deep breath, or even
their next breath. That anxious, panicked feeling
when there just isn’t enough air. Did you know
it has a name? It’s called “air hunger.” If you’ve
ever had the wind knocked out of you, you may
remember it.
We are working every day to stop that feeling — and recently
launched a national fundraising campaign — Breathing as One
— in support of the one in five people across this country who
struggle to breathe every day.
Breathing as One brings patients,
researchers, and donors together to
breathe new life into lung research.
Put another way, the campaign is
focused on:
→ Supporting exceptional researchers
with ongoing funding that takes
them into new, uncharted areas
of integrated, multidisciplinary
investigation;
→ Building research capacity by
attracting promising young minds
into the field and partnering the
next generation of scientists with the
most knowledgeable and inspiring
advisors; and
→ Converting research into concrete
guidelines, practices and treatments,
designs and policy.
With your continued support we will
develop a research strategy that allows
us to learn more about lung disease.
We will reduce risk, discover cures, save
lives and improve the quality of life for
all Canadians.
It’s time to raise our collective voice
and shine a spotlight on the growing
challenges of lung disease.
Because when you can’t
breathe, nothing else matters.
Photograph (left to right): The BC Lung Association’s Debora Wong, Caitlin Hayles, Kelly Ablog-Morrant, Chris Lam and Trisha Halpenny. bc.lung.ca 3
Important Dates
January 17–23 National Non-Smoking Week
February 10 13th Annual BC Lung Association: Air
Quality and Health Workshop
February 21 The BC Lung Association Climb the Wall:
The Stairclimb for Clean Air
March 6–12 National Sleep Awareness Week
March 13–19 National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week
March 24 World TB Day
Climb the Wall Every year hundreds of British
Columbians climb to the top
of one of Vancouver’s tallest
building to raise awareness
and funds for the BC Lung
Association. Taking place on
February 21, 2015, this year
marks 15 years of thigh-
burning dedication from our
community of lung health
supporters! stairclimb.ca
Our National Campaign for Lung Research
4 Your Health — Winter 2016
Still on active dutyNanaimo Better Breathers Support Group Leader Bernie LaFrance
Bernie LaFrance may tell you he is
retired, but that depends on one’s
definition of retirement. He is involved
in four community organizations and
still finds time to rehearse and sing in
church. He says, “It helps heal my body
and soul. Singing has actually improved
my breathing and lung function.”
He’s also the volunteer leader of the
Nanaimo Better Breathers, a BC Lung
Association support group for people
with lung health issues, including COPD
(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
and asthma.
Bernie started his relationship with
the group as an attendee. He has
emphysema and wanted to learn what
he could do to manage his condition.
He also enjoyed the camaraderie of the
group. So when the group’s organizer
and leader stepped down, Bernie
agreed to step in to keep it going.
The group had always invited the
occasional guest speaker to talk to
members, primarily on lung health
issues. Bernie wanted this to be an
even greater focus. Now he brings in
speakers every month on a variety
of topics: chronic pain management,
safety in the home, recipes — he’s even
considering a talk on “health dancing.”
The meetings begin with a half hour
of simple, seated breathing exercises.
One of the great paradoxes of lung
health issues, particularly COPD, is
that they can make people short of
breath which, in turn, makes them not
want to exercise. Yet exercise actually
helps improve lung capacity and can
significantly improve lung function. After
the exercises, there is a short break
before the featured speaker begins his
or her presentation.
About a year ago, Bernie, who will
be 75 in April, contemplated stepping
down. His other community service
commitments — Patient Voice
Network, Block Watch Supervisor, and
Church Maintenance Manager, not to
mention being a Director of the BC
Lung Association — are also
demanding of his time.
With all this to manage, why didn’t Bernie step down from leading the group?
“The group wouldn’t let me,” Bernie
says with a smile. He simply can’t leave
people in the lurch. Bernie learned
his compassion in the home growing
up. It was reinforced by a career in
the Canadian Armed Forces as a
Transportation Technician. His postings
included stints across Canada (helping
transport Prime Ministers, Governors
General and other dignitaries),
Germany, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon
where he got closer to terrorist bombs
than he would have wished. With all
he does, you’d think Bernie was still on
active duty. The city of Nanaimo and
Better Breathers are the better for it.
Better Breathers Our province-wide Better Breathers Support Groups help people learn ways to better cope with chronic lung conditions, and mutually support others with similar struggles.
bc.lung.ca 5
I rise above my COPD by helping others and maintaining my sense of humourBetter Breather Sylvia Williams
Sylvia Williams quit smoking cigarettes 18 years ago. But the
damage was already done. Six years ago, she started coughing
uncontrollably, and it hurt across her back. She went to her
doctor, fearing that she had developed lung cancer. The good
news was that it wasn’t lung cancer. The bad news was that
she was diagnosed with COPD.
With new medication and improved treatments however,
Sylvia remains positive and carries on a full, active lifestyle.
She attributes her ability to rise above her COPD to helping
others, taking care of herself, and maintaining a sense of
humour. To keep busy, she works with seniors, volunteers at
the Royal Canadian Legion in Parksville, and is very active in
her church, often helping prepare after-service
coffee and cake. She also makes sure to get
regular check-ups by the respiratory services team at
her local hospital — “a great, great bunch,” says Sylvia.
And, she’s a regular of the Nanaimo Better Breathers group,
which she has attended since first diagnosed.
“It doesn’t matter that I’m 72. I’m still the same ‘me’ I’ve always
been. Sure, sometimes my COPD gets me down. I can’t do
the things I used to be able to do, even a year ago. But my
motto is, I’m still kicking so quit complaining!”
I learned to accept that I have asthma and stay healthy by keeping a positive frame of mindBetter Breather Joan Blackwell
Joan never smoked a day in her life, never lived in an
industrialized town full of coal and diesel fumes, never had
allergies. So when she was diagnosed with asthma “oh, about
12 to 14 years ago,” she says she was surprised, if not a little
shocked. “I didn’t know anything about asthma — I had never
suffered one little bit from it.”
At first, she resisted the diagnosis, but when she couldn’t
complete lengths in the swimming pool, which as a life-long
swimmer, she had never had trouble doing, “I had to accept
that I had asthma.” She also thought she had better get all
the information about the condition she could, so she and her
late husband started to attend the Nanaimo Better Breathers
group meetings. Joan’s husband passed away four years ago,
but she still attends the group and helps current
leader, Bernie Lafrance, in any way she can “I have
learned so much about asthma thanks to these
meetings.”
Joan continues to enjoy the opportunity the meetings provide
to share time with “the wonderful friends” she has made over
the years. She says, “It’s also important to show support for
those who have more serious lung issues.”
Today Joan’s asthma is well controlled, helping her lead a
fulfilling, social and active life. She says attitude is everything,
“I believe a good frame of mind is essential for good health.”
The Nanaimo Better Breathers serves people with COPD, asthma and other lung conditions from Parksville and Lantzville in the north to Cedar in the south.
Meetings are held every third Monday of the month, except for
May and December, from 1:30 — 3:30pm at Beban Park. For more
info email group leader Bernie LaFrance at [email protected]. To find a better breathers group in your area, visit bc.lung.ca.
6 Your Health — Winter 2016
Darcy Murdoch has played many
roles in his life as an entertainer.
An average encounter finds him
effortlessly riffling between two of his
alter egos, crooner Bobby Bacchus,
and the King himself, Elvis Presley.
But no role has challenged him more
than that of patient.
With his outgoing personality and
love of people, Darcy was well-suited
for long careers in both catering and
entertainment. Years of long days and
late nights working in the catering
business, rich meals at odd hours and
constant heavy lifting were affecting
Darcy Murdoch’s health. The former
smoker was used to feeling out of
breath, but when he began to wheeze
and cough more frequently, he knew it
was something more.
His doctor suspected a chest infection,
but x-rays proved otherwise. In 2011,
at the age of 54, Darcy was diagnosed
with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
(IPF). And like all IPF patients,
Darcy would need a lung transplant
to survive.
“My initial reaction was fear,
trepidation, anger, depression.
I had my little pity party for about
six months, then I snapped out
of that. I started working out like
a fiend and shifted my way of
thinking to positive.”
Darcy can’t say enough about the
important role exercise has played in his
recovery, both mentally and physically.
“I worked out 400 times in two years at
home, and I believe that’s what has put
me in the position I’m in today.”
With a proper diet and daily sessions in
his home gym, Darcy lost close to 40
pounds as he waited for his transplant.
But as his illness progressed, it also
took its toll on Darcy’s livelihood. The
entertainer was dependent on gigs to
pay his bills, and his condition kept him
from working as much as usual.
Thankfully, the stars aligned. Darcy
finished his final restaurant gig on
December 22, 2014, paid his bills, and
got the call for a transplant six weeks
later. On January 30, 2015 Darcy
underwent a bilateral lung transplant.
Whether he’s wearing oversized
clown shoes or singing in blue
suede shoes, Darcy brings his heart
and soul to whatever role he is
playing. Likewise, Darcy’s positive
approach to wellness and recovery
has made him a transplant success
story. “Life is amazing,” he says. “After
transplant, there are always issues
with medications, but those have
eased off.”
“On a scale of one to ten,
I give life a nine.”
Darcy is committed to giving back, and
works with the BC Lung Association as
a patient advocate. He believes patient
support groups are a vital resource,
saying, “when I first learned I had IPF, I
was like a deer in headlights, but once I
got to the support group meeting I was
able to talk through my feelings and ask
questions. It’s like a little family, there’s a
closeness involved and that really, really
helps get you through.”
For more info about IPF visit bc.lung.ca
or call the BC Lung Association office at
1-800-665-5864.
Faces of lung disease There are millions of unsung heroes across BC struggling to breathe every day. Meet a few of the brave people we’re privileged to know.
IPF FactsIdiopathic Pulmonary
Fibrosis (IPF) is a lung
condition of scarring
or honeycombing
in the lungs. The
scarring restricts
breathing and
oxygen exchange.
→ Between 5,000
and 15,000
Canadians are
living with IPF.
→ It’s more common
in men.
→ Half of patients
die within 3 years
of diagnosis.
→ Its origin is still
unknown
→ Though it’s difficult
to diagnose, early
diagnosis is critical
At age 54, I was told I had IPF and would need
a new set of lungs to survive
bc.lung.ca 7
Red hair, COPD, and a real attitude.Meet Trish Verrier. To see this vibrant 65 year old with hair as red as her scooter and a smile that lights up the room, one doesn’t detect any signs of the pain she’s endured. Nor does one hear many complaints.
Trish grew up in Thunder Bay, but due to difficulties at home,
she ran away to Vancouver at age 18 to forge a better life. No
sooner had Trish’s new life started, when bad health began to
hold her back. She spent much of her adult life in and out of
hospital beds, struggling to manage her pain, and by her forties,
to cope with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and
related breathing difficulties.
“My life was no cakewalk. And I didn’t always feel as content as I
feel now,” she said. “ But one day a few years ago now, I decided
to look at my life differently. It was November and bitterly cold.
I was at my local clinic and this homeless man wandered in. He
didn’t have a coat and was clearly freezing. Something triggered.
I began to see all my struggles as victories. I realized I had a lot
to give and no time to lose. As a result my world has become a
much happier place.”
Since that day, Trish has succeeded in raising thousands of
dollars’ worth of donations in warm clothing and food for the
homeless. She encourages friends and neighbours to donate
what they can, and herself crochets scarves for women in need.
She has also established a program she calls ‘Hugs for Life.’
“Everyone needs a hug,” said Trish. “Even if it’s from someone they
don’t know.” Through ‘Hugs for Life’ Trish aims to provide some
comfort and cheer (along with small stuffed animals) to patients
alone in hospital, not unlike she often was for so many years.
When one talks with Trish it’s easy to forget she has a lung
condition which can make even walking across the room an
impossible chore. To get around Trish relies on her electric
scooter, and to breathe, on a range of medications and inhalers.
“My COPD can be scary. It makes me remember the fear I had as
a child of not having family to protect me and not being able to
breathe. That same feeling reminds me to be thankful for every
day I’m still here, and for all the kindness I receive.”
Trish may not have relatives to watch over her, but she is
grateful for the friends she does have — including her COPD
Outreach Team from St. Paul’s Hospital nurse Beth Hutchins
and social worker Lisa Krahn (above).
A pilot program in downtown Vancouver aimed at helping COPD
patients remain healthy and well at home in their communities,
Trish said the program has been a lifesaver.
“I called Beth for help recently and she came right over. If
she hadn’t come and found out I had taken too many pills,
I wouldn’t be alive today.”
“We help patients learn to take care of themselves and their
condition better,” said Beth. “With just a little guidance
and some hands-on time in their homes where they’re
comfortable — they do so much better.”
St. Paul’s Hospital COPD Outreach Team has already
demonstrated reductions in COPD patient hospital re-
admissions. Unfortunately, at present long-term funding for
St. Paul’s Hospital COPD Outreach Team pilot project has not
been secured.
Did you know that 1 in 5 British Columbians have lung disease?
“ I began to see all my struggles as victories. I realized I had a lot to give and no time to lose.”
For more info about St. Paul’s Hospital Outreach Team, email [email protected]
8 Your Health — Winter 2016
Thank you 2015 sponsorsAccent Inns
Altus Mountain Guides
Arts Club
Back in the Saddle Again
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Goddess Garden
Organics
Glutino
Olympic Yogurt
Daniel Chocolat le Belge
Deer Lake Boat Rentals
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe
Resort and Spa
Executive Suites Hotel Resort
Fiamo Restaurant
Frontrunners
Goh Ballet
HR MacMillan Space Centre
Hyak Wilderness Adventures
Il Covo Trattoria
IMAX Victoria
Pacific Surf Co.
Rosedale on Robson
Royal BC Museum
Sewell’s Marina
Terrace Beach Resort
The Butchart Gardens
The Vancouver Circus School
The Vancouver Trolley Company
Theatre Sports League
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
West Coast Sight-Seeing
Windsure Adventure Watersports
Another year of fun‑raising success.
Tracey Jirak, a first time Trekker but longtime BC Lung Association supporter, got innovative with her fundraising.
“It’s not always easy asking for donations,” explained Jirak. I
set a personal goal of raising $500 and although I was able
to get a few donations from friends on Facebook, I still had
quite a ways to go. With Trek only weeks away, I decided
to recruit some “littles” and make a team of salespeople
out of my two daughters and two of their friends. We
baked cookies, made posters, and juiced some fresh
lemons to create the ‘Lemonade for Lungs’ lemonade
and cookie stand. In two and a half hours we had earned
exactly $105! I was so proud of my helpers, and so grateful
for all the donations my neighbors were giving.”
Nearly $200,000 raised, some 300
participants and volunteers, and
another weekend full of fun, food
and fundraising. Trek 2015 was back
this year, and it was better than ever.
In addition to riding 200 km, from
White Rock to Cultus Lake and back
again during Trek weekend, our
Trekkers put serious legwork into
training and fundraising beforehand.
Meet some of the Trekkers who inspire us in the days, weeks, and months leading up to Trek.
Gareth Youdan, cycled daily in preparation for Trek, but to him it never felt like training.
“For the past three years I’ve been commuting to
work daily — rain or shine, and sometimes even
snow,” started Youdan. “I never really thought of
it as training, I just enjoy cycling. Riding to work
allows you to get to know the other oncoming
cyclists by either their helmet or gear, giving the
casual nod or hand wave, acknowledging one
another. The brief encounter creates a strange
bond, a two second friendship. It’s a great way
to get to know the people in your community.”
Bicycle Trek for Life & Breath 2015
bc.lung.ca 9Photo credits: Jorge Posada, Katrina van Bylandt, Scott McDonald, Katherine Harris
Meet some of the Trekkers who inspire us in the days, weeks, and months leading up to Trek.
We’re grateful to all the Trekkers, and their generous donors, for raising almost $200,000 adding to the five
million dollars raised over the
past 31 years of Trek. This money
will continue to support BC Lung
Association’s vital lung health
research, programs and education.
A special shout out to the
individuals and teams who went
above and beyond to help support
the work we do..
Top individual fundraiserssRita Wittmann $8,240
Bob Heyman $3,500
Mike Ellis $2,250
Top teamsLangley Lung Nuts $14,865
Fresh Air Riders $14,845
HLI Road Hoggs $12,445
Scott Marshall, a BC Lung Association Director and 11-year veteran of Trek earned his spot among the top fundraisers in 2015 by mixing business with fundraising.
“I’m fortunate to have a lot of people that donate
to BC Lung Association through their support of
me,” said Marshall. “A lot of them are clients of the
company I work for — it’s easy to talk about BC Lung
Association as it’s a cause I’m so passionate about.
My dad struggled with asthma for 30 years, so I know
firsthand the struggles associated with lung disease.
As a director, I know BC Lung Association is very
careful with those hard earned donation dollars, so I
am able to convey the importance and significance
that all donations have.”
Rita Wittmann, top fundraiser for the past three years shares some of her coveted secrets to fundraising success.
“My main source of fundraising comes from word
of mouth,” explained Wittman. “I try to explain the
significance of the cause; I’ve had patients that are
directly affected by the good work that BC Lung
Association does. It’s easy to get people on board
when you explain the activism, front-line education,
and lung research that the Lung Association supports.”
And in addition to speaking about the cause? “This
year I held a Dutch cookie sale, selling cookies by
donation and all the money raised went directly to my
team’s fundraising.”
10 Your Health — Winter 2016
Susan’s Story
For more about QuitNow, visit quitnow.ca, email [email protected] or call
The Lung Association at 1-800-665-5864.
quitnow news A province-wide quit smoking resource, QuitNow provides and promotes tools and services scientifically-proven to increase quit-ready British Columbians’ chances of quit success.
“On that day
in the ICU
I swore that
if my dad had
a full recovery
from his open
heart surgery,
I would never
smoke again.”
I could quit for weeks at a time but I always ended up smoking again.
As a social smoker for over 35 years, I
always assumed quitting was something I
could do any time I wanted. I knew I could
quit for weeks at a time while traveling, and
while I was pregnant I quit for two years,
however I always ended up being drawn
back to smoking.
That all changed when my dad had a heart
attack. Following the heart attack, a series
of tests where performed eventually leading
to open heart surgery. On July 17, 2014,
I went to see him in the Intensive Care
Unit (ICU) where he lay unconscious and
intubated. Being a nurse I knew what to
expect, but it still cut me to the core to see
him like that.
My dad, like many others in his generation,
had been a smoker. However, he quit when
he was in his 30’s. On that day in the ICU
I swore that if my dad had a full recovery
from his open heart surgery, I would never
smoke again. I wanted to spend many more
years with my dad, and I wanted to make
sure my kids never saw me in a similar
state due to smoking.
A year and a half later and I’m happy to say
my dad is completely recovered.
I’ve not had a cigarette since that day. Was
it hard? Yes, it was the hardest thing I have
ever done. But seeing the health issues that
my dad faced, and recovered from, has
helped keep me strong, and for that I am
thankful.
Good luck to all — if I can do it, so can you!
Ready to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.
BC’s #1 Quit Smoking Service. QuitNow is a BC-based, free-to-use service run by the BC Lung Association and funded by the BC Ministry of Health. Free quit smoking counseling, resources, and easy to use tools, are available 24/7 at QuitNow.ca or call our quitline toll-free at 1‑877‑455‑2233.
1‑877‑455‑2233
bc.lung.ca 11
Jack BoomerDirector of QuitNowBC Lung Association
MYTH #1: The damage is already done.No matter how old you are or how long
you’ve smoked, absolutely everyone
has something to gain from quitting
tobacco. In general, the less you smoke
and the sooner you quit, the better
for your overall health. However, that
said, even long-term smokers can reap
great rewards by quitting smoking.
Recent research has shown that risk of
premature death reduced by 28 percent
for people who quit in their 60s.
As Jack Boomer, Director of BC Lung
Association’s QuitNow program explains,
“no matter how old you are, there is no
single more important decision you can
make to improve your health and well-
being than to quit smoking.”
MYTH #2: Just a few cigarettes a day won’t hurt.Whether you smoke a full pack a day
or just a handful of cigarettes a day,
smoking poses a significant risk to your
heath, according to the research.
“Just 3 – 5 cigarettes a day can significantly
increase risk for cardiovascular
disease and coronary heart disease
says Dr. Menn Biagtan of the BC Lung
Association. Another major risk is that
casual smoking will develop into a full
scale addiction. “Nicotine should not be
underestimated. It is no exaggeration
to say that it is as addictive as heroin or
cocaine. There is just no such thing as a
‘social smoker.’’”
MYTH #3: Natural tobacco is safe.There is a major misperception by many
smokers that the problem with tobacco
is the tobacco industry, and that organic
or natural tobacco is much healthier.
Unfortunately, this is just not the case.
The main danger from smoking tobacco
is the smoke itself — not the additives.
Inhaling any smoke of any kind causes
respiratory disease and cancer.
As Boomer explains, “Smoking tobacco
with additives is the equivalent of
falling from the 5th floor, while smoking
tobacco without is like falling from the
4th floor. Both are going to kill you.”
There are as many as 600 chemical
additives in commercial tobacco, many
of these chemicals are harmful in their
own right. However, while it is true that
commercial tobacco is almost certainly
worse than natural tobacco, natural
tobacco is still extremely dangerous.
MYTH #4: Once a smoker, always a smoker.Today in Canada there are twice as
many former smokers than current
smokers. “What that means,” explains
Boomer “is that there are two people
who have successfully quit smoking for
every person who hasn’t quit yet. Those
millions of Canadians are living proof
that addiction can be beaten.”
MYTH #5: I’ve tried everything, I just can’t do it.Quitting is not easy, and very few people
manage to quit on their first, second, or
even third time. According to one study,
it can take up to 30 attempts to finally
quit successfully. That might seem like
a lot, but the longer you stay smoke free,
the better your chances. After just one
day, your odds improve 11%, after one
month 24%, and after one year 71%.
“The key to quitting smoking is
persistence,” advises Boomer. “The more
times you attempt to quit, the more
likely you are to eventually make it. If
something doesn’t work the first time –
don’t give up. Try another. And then
another. Eventually you will get there.”
Clearing the Air:
Five Myths about Tobacco AddictionTo mark National Addictions Awareness Week, November 16 to 22nd, 2015, the BC Lung Association QuitNow Team
addressed 5 persistent myths about tobacco and tobacco addiction.
12 Your Health — Winter 2016
Towns across BC joined the BC Lung Association in
proclaiming the month of November RadonAware
month — including Prince George, Kamloops,
Penticton, Princeton, Tail, Creston, Nakusp, the
Village of Salmo, the Village of Kaslo, Fort. St.
James and Keremeos.
Radon gas exposure accounts for an average
of 55 percent of a person’s lifetime radiation
exposure – and for as many as 16 percent of all
lung cancer deaths each year in Canada.
“Radon is one of the most hazardous sources of
indoor air pollution in Canada,” said Dr. Peter
Paré, Chair of the BC Lung Association. “And BC
community involvement is vital to making real
progress on the issue. No one should have to
suffer from preventable radon-caused lung cancer.
Home radon testing is affordable, and relatively
straightforward solutions exist to reduce radon to
safe levels if it turns out the radon level in your
home exceeds the recommended safety threshold.”
And while the BC Lung Association continues
to promote community action, they’re also
championing the issue with industry groups central
to the development of a comprehensive solution.
“To put a stop to radon-related lung cancer —
building inspectors, builders and tradespeople,
realtors, and home warranty organizations will all
play a very significant role,” said Britt Swoveland,
RadonAware Manager for the BC Lung Association.
“Radon policies and regulations need to be established
to ensure both new and existing BC buildings are
future-proofed from the risk of radon. And these
policies need to be effectively enforced,” she said.
“Ultimately, it needs to become standard practice
to address radon when buildings are constructed,
financed, re-financed, insured, retrofitted or sold,”
continued Britt. “As in the US and elsewhere, at
some point, radon inspections will likely become a
routine step in any real estate transaction”.
“To effectively address the threat that radon poses
to public health, actions are required on many
fronts,” said Dr. David Boyd, Environmental Lawyer,
Author and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser
University. “In addition to residential testing, there
should be strategies to ensure that radon testing,
and if necessary radon mitigation measures, are
undertaken in all public buildings with priority given
to schools and daycare facilities” he added.
“The good news,” continued David, “is that radon
problems can be fixed, at a moderate cost, both in
new home construction and in retrofitting existing
buildings. We just need to get on with it.”
Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are
available online at RadonAware.ca, which include
home delivery of lab results.
Lung cancer prevention:
Enlisting support from BC communities
Win a FREE radon test kit
Introducing our new,
monthly giveaway contest.
With the help of our
partners, the BC Lung
Association is giving away
three home radon test
kits every month to fuel
radon-related action and
awareness.
Visit RadonAware.ca
or follow the BC Lung
Association Facebook
and/or Twitter pages
to be sure not to miss
your chance to win!
Dr. Peter Paré Chair of the BC Lung Association
RadonAware Manager Britt Swoveland with Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall.
RadonAware travelled north this fall to present to the BC Northern Real Estate Board who have distributed our information to all of their members. RadonAware Manager Britt Swoveland (left) with Alexandra Goseltine of BC Northern Real Estate Board (right).
bc.lung.ca 13
Radonaware News A province-wide resource, RadonAware provides information and services aimed at increasing action to combat the lung cancer-related risks of radon gas.
Why Nate got trained in radon mitigation
Meet Nate Sereda, an enthusiastic Certified
Energy Advisor based in the Kootenays
who recently applied to the BC Lung
Association’s RadonAware incentive program
and completed his Radon Mitigation
Certification. Now that Nate is certified he’ll
be putting his radon training to good use in
his own community; raising awareness of
the serious lung cancer risk posed by radon,
and the simple actions people can take to
test and mitigate.
Why did you get involved in radon?Through my work I started to hear concerns
about air quality in homes as they become
more air-tight. These concerns encouraged
me to do some investigating into air-borne
contaminants and their effect on occupants.
As I researched, I learned about radon gas
and that it’s the number one cause of lung
cancer in non-smokers. I had no idea!
Why should people be aware of radon?Although radon is a naturally occurring
gas that comes from the breakdown of
uranium in rock, soil and water, if it makes
its way into a home and gets ‘trapped’ it
can increase to dangerous levels. Over time,
exposure to high levels of radon may lead
to lung cancer. People need to be aware
that radon is serious, and testing is critical to
prevention.
Is the Kootenay region at risk for radon?Radon can be found everywhere in small
amounts, but some areas are known to
be ‘hotspots’. As I continued to research I
learned that my home (East Kootenays) is
considered by Health Canada to have one
of the highest radon concentrations in BC
with levels well above what Health Canada
considers “safe”. I also learned that there are
very few licensed radon measurement and
mitigation professionals in the region.
What message do you want to give to people in your community?Without a doubt my goal is to help spread
awareness in the community about
radon, the dangers, and the advantages
of having a licensed professional test for,
and mitigate radon. I plan to test the radon
concentrations in as many homes as I can,
and mitigate those homes with high levels.
I want people to understand that while
radon is a serious concern, it can be dealt
with; making the home safer, and potentially
more valuable. It all starts with awareness,
and a simple test.
To learn more radon mitigation training
please visit radonaware.ca or call the BC
Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864)
and ask for RadonAware.
How the Vernon Native Housing Society is tackling radon
Located in Area 1 of the Province of BC, the region known to be at an increased risk for elevated levels of indoor radon gas, the Vernon Native Housing Society (VNHS) is taking action to protect all tenants occupying its 22 facilities.
“We want to ensure our tenants are protected from
unnecessary radon-related lung cancer risk,” said
Karen Gerein, VNHS General Manager who recently
purchased radon test kits through the BC Lung
Association RadonAware.ca site. “We intend to radon
test all 22 this winter.”
So committed are the VNHS, their building
maintenance manager, James Verhuel, is completing
his radon mitigation certification training. Verhuel will
soon be certified to install a Radon Reduction System
himself and is grateful for the guidance offered
through the BC Lung Association.
“We certainly hope our buildings’ test results come
back below the Health Canada safety guideline, but
should they be high, we’ll be prepared to fix the
problem,” explained Verhuel.
Other organizations, equally concerned about tenant
health and safety, are taking notice. Ray Gerow, CEO
of BC’s Aboriginal Housing Management Association
said, “High radon levels is a problem that potentially
affects all of our 40-plus Aboriginal community-based
organizations. We look forward to using the VHNS’
newfound expertise and experience to address radon
issues throughout the province.”
“It makes a lot of sense for larger housing providers
like the VNHS to train their own staff to solve radon
problems,” said BC Lung Association RadonAware
Manager Britt Swoveland. “We were glad to be able to
provide some support, and hope many more housing
associations will follow the VNHS’s lead.”
Check out the BC Lung Association’s latest report on radon in BC homes at radonaware.ca
L to R: Vernon Native Housing Society’s James Verheul, Karen Gerein, Trina Nash, and Dawn Somers
14 Your Health — Winter 2016
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.field notes
1Celebrating our 31st Fresh Air Photo Contest winners! The Lung Association and London
Drugs holds its annual Fresh Air Photo
Contest every summer — challenging
amateur photographers from across
Western Canada to send in their best
fresh air photo to win fabulous prizes.
See the grand prize winner’s Fresh Air
photo here!
Liberal MLA Ralph Sultan, BC Healthy Living Alliance’s Rita Kotsodimos and Executive Director Mary Collins with BC Lung Association CEO Scott McDonald.
2Promoting healthy living together with provincial partners. The BC Lung Association works
collaboratively with non-profit and government partners
to encourage healthy eating, increased physical activity and
smoking cessation. Amongst those we collaborate with on a
regular basis is the BC Health Living Alliance (bchealthyliving. ca),
an umbrella organization focused on addressing the risk factors
and health inequities that contribute to chronic disease. One in
three British Columbians is living with one or more diagnosed
chronic diseases, treatment for which account for the largest
proportion of total health care costs.
5Supporting new generations of BC Respiratory Therapists. Highly-skilled health professionals,
Respiratory Therapists (RT) care for
patients by evaluating, treating, and
maintaining cardiopulmonary (heart and
lung) function. They’re educated to treat
all age groups, from newborns to the
elderly. Thompson Rivers University is
the only post-secondary institution that
offers an RT accreditation program in the
province. The BC Lung Association is a
proud supporter.
4Making it easier for healthcare providers to help smokers quit. Evidence shows that even
a brief intervention by a healthcare provider can increase the odds of a patient quitting by as much as
30 percent. The challenge is that a large percentage of healthcare providers have not been educated
in proven interventions to help people quit smoking. That’s why in addition to helping people quit, QuitNow
is also helping educate BC healthcare providers on how to conduct quit smoking counselling, including
doctors, pharmacists and dentists, such as Dr. Cian Zybutz and her team seen here.
The BC Lung Association’s Katrina van Bylandt, Tracey Jirak and Britt Swoveland.
3Building relationships with BC community leaders. The
BC Lung Association took part in
the Annual Union of BC Municipalities
conference in Vancouver this fall,
meeting with local government leaders
from across the province to identify
opportunities for collaboration. The
goal: to provide community outreach
support in order to encourage more
British Columbians to prevent lung
cancer by testing and addressing home
radon problems, and encourage more
people who continue to smoke to take
advantage of free province-wide smoking
cessation tools and support services.
Thompson Rivers University RT Program faculty members Les Matthews and Janine Chan with BC Lung Association Board Member Richie Gage.
Dr. Cian Zybutz and her team.
Grand prize-winning photo by Derek Daigle
bc.lung.ca 15
Dr. Sarah Henderson started her career as an environmental engineer, but turned to environmental epidemiology when she became interested in the public health implications of engineering decisions. At the BC Centre for Disease Control, Sarah conducts applied research to support environmental health policy related to air pollution, food safety, extreme temperatures, radon gas and more.
Dr. Michael Brauer is a professor in the School of Population and Public Health at UBC and a sought after thought leader and speaker on the subject of air pollution and health. He has served on advisory committees to the World Health Organization, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the US National Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of Canada, the International Joint Commission and governments in North America and Asia.
Why do research on the AirCare program?Vehicle emissions monitoring programs, such
as AirCare, have been introduced in many
parts of the world, but there have not been
any studies describing how they impact public
health. However, many studies have shown
that life expectancy is shorter in cities with
more air pollution, and there are more deaths
on days when air pollution levels are high. It
follows that programs like AirCare have the
potential to prolong lives by reducing both
the long-term and short-term air pollution
exposures of people who live within the
affected areas.
What impact did AirCare have in the Lower Mainland?We know that a minority of vehicles produce
the vast majority of pollution, which is why
emissions testing programs like AirCare
are important. Over its 22 years, AirCare
performed more than 17 million emission
inspections on nearly three million unique
vehicles. Almost one million of those vehicles
failed an emissions test at some point. Of
those that failed, 98 percent were either
repaired or removed from the road — resulting
in an estimated 31 percent decrease in
emissions over the life of the program! When
we compared the daily number of cars that
failed AirCare with the daily number of
cardiovascular deaths in the Lower Mainland,
we found a statistically significant relationship
between them. The AirCare program led
to a small reduction in mortality from
cardiovascular disease.
Did other factors influence cardiovascular health while AirCare was operational?Yes. Over the past 20 years technological,
demographic, and behavioral changes have
also had a positive impact. These include
changes in treatment of heart disease,
immigration rates, and less smoking. The
healthier people are to begin with, the more
resilient we generally are to the effects
of air pollution. Nevertheless, when we
compared the Lower Mainland to similar
cities without AirCare programs (such as
Victoria and Calgary), the area affected by
AirCare had less mortality than would have
been expected if the program had never
been implemented.
Will air pollution get worse without AirCare?Fortunately, cars are now much cleaner
than they were the AirCare program started
in 1992. However, more than 30,000 cars
were still failing AirCare annually when
the program ended in 2014 and without
AirCare there is now less incentive to have
high emission cars repaired or replaced.
Also, there are more cars on the road in
the Lower Mainland every year, so it is
important that we continue to promote
alternative modes of transportation in order
to keep the overall number of vehicle-
kilometers travelled in check. We must
ensure that emissions from cars and trucks
remain low so that the air quality and
public health benefits achieved by AirCare
are maintained.
Will air pollution get worse without AirCare?No one had illuminated the impact of AirCare on preventing
mortality due to traffic-related pollution until Drs. Brauer
and Henderson’s analysis surfaced.
research The BC Lung Association grants more than a million dollars annually in support of ground-breaking research
taking place in BC. Here’s a glimpse into the great work achieved thanks in part to the generosity of our donors.
Take a breather from smoking for 24hrs, win cash prizes.
quitnow.ca/contest BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063885. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2