Agency Kicks-Off Its Asthma Awareness Month Activities
Breathe California releases its new local Asthma Resource Guide and commences a series of community-based events in recognition of World Asthma Day.
San Jose, Calif. – With World Asthma Day (5/2) just around the corner, Breathe California decided to get an early start on its annual asthma awareness campaign. At the Month of the Young Child Faire this past Saturday, the agency kicked-off the first of a number of public outreach activities in May to help asthma patients breathe easier.
Throughout the month, the agency is hosting and participating in a number of community-based events to increase awareness about the chronic lung disease. Starting with the Month of the Young Child Faire, the agency will be conducting asthma screenings and setting up informational booths at a series of community events and locations. Breathe California will also be organizing a community asthma forum at El Camino Hospital on May 31st for healthcare professionals, asthma patients and other interested individuals.
“Asthma is a serious health condition which continues to afflict more people each year,” said Margo Sidener, Executive Director of Breathe California of the Bay Area. “It is critical that we reach out to the public to help identify, inform and assist those suffering from the disease.”
Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. Asthma usually manifests itself through periodic “attacks” which can cause its victims to suffer from shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and in extreme cases, even death. Asthma currently affects more than 220,000 Santa Clara County residents and is also the leading cause of chronic illness and school absenteeism among children across the country.
At the Saturday event, the agency also released the first copies of its new Santa Clara County Asthma Resource Guide. Printed in both English and Spanish, the guide offers an up-to-date list of local resources that can help asthma patients enjoy a higher quality of life. The free guide will be distributed at community events throughout May and is also available by contacting the agency’s office.
“We are fortunate to have countless local organizations which can help asthma patients confront many of the challenges they face,” continued Sidener. “Our guide can help connect individuals with these resources, many of which they may not know exist.”
As the local Clean Air and Healthy Lungs People, Breathe California has spent the past 95 years fighting lung disease in all its forms and working with its communities to protect lung health. For more information on the agency’s Asthma Awareness Month activities, or to receive a free copy of the new Asthma Resource Guide, call (408) 998-5865.
Media Contact:
Dave Low
Director of Communications
Breathe California
408-998-5865
david@lungsrus.org