›› News Release

Contact:
Andrew Weisser , 818.703.6444
aweisser@earthlink.net, www.californialung.org
or your nearest American Lung Association at 800.LUNG.USA

American Lung Association of California Offers Free Conferences to Improve Quality of Life for People with COPD
Respiratory Rally Lung Health Events Held Around the State

(OAKLAND, CA, August, 2006) Susan and Jim Shields can travel again now that they have a portable oxygen concentrator to supply Jim with the oxygen he needs wherever they go. They learned about it at the American Lung Association of California’s Respiratory Rally in Santa Barbara last year. Focused on providing people with lung disease the informational tools they need to breathe easier, Respiratory Rallies are being held around the state to help ease the suffering caused by emphysema and chronic bronchitis, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The following Respiratory Rallies are scheduled in California: September 9 in Napa, October 13 in Bakersfield, October 14 in Concord, October 28 in Murrieta, November 4 in Chico, and November 18 in Palm Springs. Five more will be scheduled for spring 2007 in Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Bay Area.

The rallies feature medical speakers, motivational presenters, free educational materials and breakout sessions about a variety of topics. The one-day conferences are planned and implemented by a team of health professionals, including physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists. Most sites offer treatment rooms and oxygen to use during the rally, and lunch and refreshments are provided.

The rallies are also designed to encourage social interaction between people who share a common problem, helping to decrease feelings of isolation often associated with lung disease. Participants are able to talk about issues with others who understand and exchange solutions for common situations.

Nearly 4 million California adults live with lung disease, which can take a heavy toll on quality of life. About one in five cases of both diminished health and depression can be attributed to lung disease.

Like many of the rally attendees, Jim has COPD, including bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis. While the majority of people with COPD are former smokers, Jim never smoked a day in his life.

“The air pollution growing up in New York and a career spent working with solvents may have had something to do with it,” explained Susan, who attended the rally last year and brought back a host of information for her husband. “It was very educational. It reinforced what I already knew and gave me new information about medicines, treatments, and the value of pulmonary rehabilitation for my husband.”

The Respiratory Rallies were started by the American Lung Association in Texas as a way to empower people with lung disease and their caregivers to live more productive, fulfilling lives by teaching them how to better manage their disease. The first one was held in California last year.

“Educating people on chronic lung disease makes a huge difference in quality of life,” said Jeffrey Kupperman, MD, a longtime American Lung Association volunteer and current president of the American Lung Association of California’s medical section, the California Thoracic Society, who spearheaded the effort to hold rallies throughout the state.

“I learned so much from other people at the rally,” Susan said. “In fact, it was somebody at the rally who encouraged us to attend Better Breathers.”

The American Lung Association’s Better Breathers groups provide ongoing support for the Shields and others. Participants meet regularly to listen to speakers, learn how to stay active, share ideas, and comfort each other when health problems become overwhelming.

“It’s important for people with lung disease and their families to get this kind of support and learn everything they can about the disease,” Susan said. The couple wanted to attend the recent Respiratory Rally in Santa Barbara, but they were in Hawaii thanks to what they learned at last year’s event.

For more information about the rally nearest you, call 1.800.LUNG.USA or visit www.respiratoryrally.org.

For 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1.800.LUNG.USA (1.800.586.4872) or visit www.californialung.org or www.lungusa.org