Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California’s Monthly e-Newsletter
Improving Life, One Breath at a Time
To automatically connect with your nearest American Lung Association, or to speak with a nurse or respiratory therapist at our free HelpLine, call 800.LUNG.USA (800.586.4872).
June 30, 2008 Number 161
Content:
- Wildfires Threaten Lung Health
- American Lung Association of California Launches New Website
- Air Board Releases Draft Plan to Cut Global Warming Gases
- Center for Tobacco Policy & Organizing Offers Lobbying Figures
- Healthy Air Walks Raise Funds for Lung Health
- Association Denounces CalSTRS’ Look at Tobacco Investments
- Teen Holds Event to Benefit American Lung Association
- Association Founder Honored with New U.S. Postage Stamp
- Researcher Focuses on Protein that May Protect the Lungs
- Celebrate Summer with a Donation to the American Lung Association
- Tell a Friend
MONTHLY HEALTH TIP
Wildfires Threaten Lung Health As wildfires burn across California, it’s important to take precautions against the worsening air quality. The American Lung Association of California released health tips for protecting yourself from the harmful smoke at http://www.californialung.org
Association staffer Bonnie Holmes-Gen was interviewed about the unhealthy air. Check it out at http://www.news10.net/news
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
The American Lung Association of California launched its new website on June 30, which features a completely new look and content. The design is bright and colorful with easy-to-access boxes for people to get help or get involved by donating, signing up for e-news, finding local events, learning about treatment options, and more. News and Take Action boxes help people stay informed and make their voices heard on key issues.
The homepage includes a photo box with rotating features that highlight our work. From the homepage, visitors can access the following Lung Health Centers: Stop Smoking, Asthma, Emphysema/COPD, Flu, Lung Cancer, and Tuberculosis. The following policy areas can also be accessed through the homepage: Air Pollution, Tobacco Control, Asthma Policy, and Global Warming.
The new website reflects feedback from an online survey conducted before the site plan was created as well as a number of reviews by association staff from around the state. A big thank you goes out to the nearly 1,000 staff members and volunteers who completed the survey. Those who completed the survey were entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate at Amazon and the winners are Scott Shaffer from Burlingame, Jackie O’Loughlin from Garden Grove and Liz Gregor from Emeryville.
Check out the new website at www.californialung.org
For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser [at] alac [dot] org
AIR BOARD RELEASES DRAFT PLAN TO CUT GLOBAL WARMING GASES
The California Air Resources Board released its draft plan (referred to as a “scoping plan”) to reduce global warming gases in California by 25 percent by 2020. It is the first step in implementing Assembly Bill 32, which the American Lung Association of California actively supported.
Association representatives urged the board to move forward with proposals that will cut emissions as required under AB 32 at a recent board hearing. The plan is a groundbreaking effort that again places California in the leadership position as the first state in the country to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gases. Already many groups are calling for delay, citing the (supposed) high cost to industry and the state, along with current economic concerns.
The American Lung Association of California will continue to organize supporters against any delays due to the enormous public health consequences of not moving forward.
To view the plan, go to http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc
For more information, contact Bonnie at 916.554.5864, x222 or bhgen [at] alac [dot] org or Linda Weiner at 415.282.8871 or linwiner [at] earthlink [dot] net
CENTER FOR TOBACCO POLICY & ORGANIZING OFFERS LOBBYING FIGURES
From January through March 2008, Philip Morris spent more than $540,000 on lobbying, nearly triple the amount spent in any other quarter this decade with one exception, according to new figures released by the American Lung Association of California’s Center for Tobacco Policy and Organizing.
The exception occurred in the previous quarter (October – December 2007), when Philip Morris spent more than $340,000. In both these quarters, Philip Morris lobbied against the health care reform legislation (ABX1-1), which was defeated in the Senate Health Committee and would have increased the tobacco tax by a $1.75/pack.
For lobbying and contributions reports, as well as a searchable database of contributions to legislators, go to www.Center4TobaccoPolicy.org
For more information, contact Justin Garrett at 916.554.5864, x233 or jgarrett [at] alac [dot] org
HEALTHY AIR WALKS RAISE FUNDS FOR LUNG HEALTH
Do you want to breathe healthy air? Join one of the American Lung Association of California’s Healthy Air Walks. You can go it alone or recruit corporate or family team members to walk with you and help raise funds to improve air quality and lung health.
Healthy Air Walks are held in communities across California and bring together people who want to fight lung diseases like asthma, lung cancer, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Asking friends, family and coworkers to donate to this crucial effort is easy.
Go to www.healthyairwalk.org to register for a Healthy Air Walk event in your community and take steps now to ensure future generations breathe healthier air or call 1.800.586.4872 to reach your nearest American Lung Association of California office.
ASSOCIATION DENOUNCES CALSTRS’ LOOK AT TOBACCO INVESTMENTS
The American Lung Association of California denounced the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) for considering adding tobacco stocks back into its portfolio. The $172 billion retirement system dumped its tobacco investments nearly eight years ago, but now figures it would have been $1 billion richer if it hadn’t divested its tobacco holdings.
Association staffer Paul Knepprath, was quoted in a Sacramento Bee article about the policy change. He said “reversing CalSTRS' policy would be making money off the investments in a product that kills more Californians than any other product – including teachers." He added that it is "hypocritical" for teachers to discourage students from smoking while their pension fund invests in companies that make cigarettes and other tobacco products.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.sacbee.com/103
For more information, contact Paul at 916.554.5864, x224 or pknepprath [at] alac [dot] org
TEEN HOLDS EVENT TO BENEFIT AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
A 17-year-old Tuolumne teen who lost her mother to lung disease three years ago held a walk and barbecue in April to benefit the American Lung Association. The event was part of Gail Ingalls’ student project at Summerville High School, where the benefit was held.
She had the idea since her junior year when students begin to think about their projects and start writing proposals. Local residents and businesses donated food and money for her project. Many pledged funds per mile or donated a set amount.
To view the entire Union Democrat article, go to http://www.uniondemocrat.com
ASSOCIATION FOUNDER HONORED WITH NEW U.S. POSTAGE STAMP
As part of its Distinguished Americans series, the U.S. Postal Service released a new 76-cent stamp that honors Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau (1848-1915), the founder and first president of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, the precursor to the American Lung Association. Dr. Trudeau dedicated his life to researching and treating tuberculosis, a highly infectious disease that at one time killed one in seven people in the U.S.
The stamp bearing Dr. Trudeau’s portrait is the U.S. Postal Service’s 11th issuance in the Distinguished Americans series. Artist Mark Summers created the portrait on the stamp, based on a photograph of Dr. Trudeau provided by the American Lung Association.
RESEARCHER FOCUSES ON PROTEIN THAT MAY PROTECT THE LUNGS
Kamran Atabai, MD, is hoping he can improve life for those who suffer from the long-term effects of lung injury. The University of California, San Francisco researcher, funded by the American Lung Association of California, is studying the role of a protein that could hold the answer.
When mice without the protein are given a drug that causes lung injury, they experience much more scarring to the lung tissue. It appears the protein prevents increased damage to the lungs.
For a summary of currently-funded researchers, go to http://www.californialung.org
CELEBRATE SUMMER with a donation to the American Lung Association. Go to http://www.californialung.org
TELL A FRIEND Forward this e-newsletter to friends, family and business contacts. Encourage them to subscribe for free at http://www.californialung.org. Signing up is easy. Just enter your e-mail address at the bottom right corner of the Web site homepage where it says, “get your free monthly lung health news.”
