Asthma, Support, & $110K+ Jackpot

The Pulmonary Post - May 2025

View in your browser

{contact.email_greeting},

May is Asthma Awareness Month — a timely reminder of how important healthy lungs are to every breath we take. If you or someone you care about is living with asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, or COPD, we invite you to connect through our upcoming support group meetings. This month, we’re hosting a special Asthma Support Group meeting to learn practical tips and tools to help live well with asthma.

Do you have your Breathe Strong Raffle ticket yet? It is our largest annual fundraiser, supporting lung health in Saskatchewan. Not only could you win incredible prizes — like a VIP concert experience, sleek e-bikes, or an unforgettable tour of Iceland.

We’re continuing to provide valuable learning opportunities:

For healthcare professionals, our Inspired Breathing, RESPTREC Webinars, and Let's Talk Lungs Podcast continue to elevate care across the province and nationally.
For patients and caregivers, our Lung Life Webinar Series and Let's Talk Lungs Podcast bring expert advice right to your fingertips — anytime, anywhere.

We’re proud to partner with the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) on a combined $200,000 investment through SHRF’s Solutions Program to support lung health research in Saskatchewan. SHRF's Solutions Program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers and knowledge-users addressing pressing health needs in Saskatchewan.

Enjoy this month’s edition of the Pulmonary Post — and I hope you’re able to soak up a little sunshine wherever you are!

Erin Kuan
President & CEO

Due to the possibility of a Canada Post strike starting Friday, May 23rd, mail delivery may experience significant delays as follows:

Breathe Strong Raffle (by mail)
Radon test online orders
Mail-in donations

If the strike takes place:

Breathe Strong Raffle tickets can be purchased online at www.breathestrong.ca.
Radon test will be delivered to you as soon as possible.
Donations can be made securely online at www.LungSask.ca/Donate.

BREATHE STRONG RAFFLE

You Could Be The Next Big Winner!

The Breathe Strong Raffle 50/50 jackpot is over $110,000— and it’s only going to get better! Can you imagine what you’d do with that much cash? NOW is the perfect time to grab your raffle ticket, grow the jackpot, and help support lung health in Saskatchewan.

You will also get a chance at these amazing grand prizes:

Explore Iceland’s natural wonders with a Golden Circle Tour of Iceland
Catch the excitement of a Toronto Blue Jays game in Denver
Meet Keith Urban with a VIP Concert Experience
Cruise with a sleek E-Bike package
Rock out at Country Thunder Saskatchewan

Every ticket supports education, advocacy, and vital lung health research in Saskatchewan. Don't miss out—get your tickets today for your chance to win big!

Lottery License #LR24-0144

BUY TICKETS

INSPIRING STORIES

The Need for 'Breathing Space'

Diagnosed with COPD in 2009, Donna was told her only chance of survival was a lung transplant. Like all Saskatchewan patients, Donna had to travel to Edmonton (one of only four centres for lung transplants in Canada) and stay there for months with a caregiver, adding immense stress to an already difficult journey.

"My transplant accommodations were costly, and quite a distance from the hospital. It would have been so much more convenient and worry-free if Breathing Space had been available for me. I didn’t know how I was going to pay for all of it."

READ DONNA'S STORY

Breathing Space

Your donation supports the creation of Breathing Space, providing essential housing for patients receiving treatment at the Edmonton Lung Transplant Program.

With your support, we can ensure that no one faces the overwhelming financial burden of accommodation while undergoing life-saving treatment.

SUPPORT MEETINGS

Tips and Tools for Asthma Control

Asthma Support Meeting
Thursday, May 22nd at 12 pm (CST/SK)

Get out your asthma control toolbox!

Join Jill, nurse and respiratory educator, to learn what we mean by having "well controlled asthma". Come away with practical tips and tools to help you live well with asthma.

Home Oxygen Therapy in Saskatchewan

Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Meeting
Wednesday, May 28th at 1:30 pm (CST/SK)

This month we welcome Dale Phillips, Respiratory Therapist, and Jaimie Peters, Registered Nurse (Lung Sask), who will be guiding us through the essentials of Home Oxygen Therapy in Saskatchewan.

This session is a great opportunity to learn more about home oxygen, the purpose of it, and how to navigate the home oxygen programs in Saskatchewan.

PATIENT EDUCATION

The Lung Life Webinar Series is designed to empower those living with, and caring for, those with lung disease to live better.

Join key opinion leaders in their respective fields of expertise to learn how to enjoy a better lung life in the presence of lung disease.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Let’s Talk COPD

Wednesday, June 11th at 12 pm (CST/SK)

Join Dr. Bhagaloo for a presentation on how you can be part of the conversation and decision-making when it comes to your own care or your loved one's COPD care.

Learn how COPD is diagnosed and treated, the signs and symptoms to watch out for, including those you may not recognize, the goals for optimal care and decision making, as well as the questions you may want to ask your health provider.

PODCAST

Tune into our Let's Talk Lungs Podcast, as we explore ways to improve lung health, one breath at a time. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or just wanting to learn about lung health, there is something for everyone!

Listen, learn, and breathe easier! Tune in today:

Unleashing Discovery in Research
Ready! Set! Breathe – With Severe Asthma!
How is Your Lung Life? Tips on how to protect and love your lungs
Demystifying ILD
RSV and You: How you can protect yourself from this common lung infection

UP NEXT

I Smell Smoke! How to Protect Yourself During Wildfire Season!

This podcast will air on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 at 12 pm (CST).

In this episode, Inspired Breathing hosts Lori and Trent are joined by Lung Saskatchewan nurses and respiratory educators Jill and Jaimie, to talk about wildfires. Listen in to find out who is most at risk when air quality is poor due to wildfires, and what to do to stay well both in and outdoors.

INSPIRED BREATHING

Inspired Breathing provides continuing education events for health care professionals that are responsive, innovative, and centred around partnership. We are proud to deliver interactive, in-person, and virtual events. Register early to secure your spot.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RSV and Pneumonia – What Have We Learned? A 2025 Update

Wednesday, May 28th at 12 pm (CST/SK)

Guest presenter Dr. Angel Chu from the University of Calgary will take us through what we have learned about RSV and pneumonia. She will talk about who is at risk, trends we are seeing, prevention strategies, and much more!

RESPTREC EDUCATION

Join us as we bring together top experts, to discuss lung health topics, and empower health care professionals to deliver informed, patient-focused health care experiences to those living with lung disease.

The RESPTREC Webinar Series is proudly sponsored by AstraZeneca.

UPCOMING WEBINARS

Achieving Excellence in Asthma Management

Wednesday, June 4th at 6:30 pm (CST/SK)

Guest presenter Dr. Olga Tourin will be talking about all things asthma! She will provide an update on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, talk about short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) overuse, will provide a practical approach to management of asthma in the community and much more!

NEWS

SHRF 2025-2026 Solutions Program Launches!

SHRF's Solutions Program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers and knowledge-users addressing pressing health needs in Saskatchewan.

Breathe Strong Early Bird Winners

Lung Ambassador Kerri Mossing joined us to make the Breathe Strong Early Bird Draw.

Thank you to everyone who purchased their Breathe Strong Raffle tickets! Our Early Bird Draw is now complete, congratulations to our winners!

Notice of AGM 2025

The Lung Saskatchewan Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday, June 13th, 2025 at 3:00 PM.

CARING BREATHS

Caring Breaths Financial Assistance Program

The Caring Breaths Financial Assistance Program sponsored by Conexus Credit Union is a reimbursement program designed to complement other established financial assistance programs in the province of Saskatchewan.

Who can apply:

Lung transplant recipients and primary caregivers
People with lung disease and primary caregivers
People applying for partial radon mitigation reimbursement

Discover how this program could benefit you or someone you know.

LEARN MORE

COMMUNITIES OF SUPPORT

Our online communities are a platform for patients and caregivers to ask questions, share their stories, as well as provide encouragement and peer support to one another.

Coordinated by Certified Respiratory Health Professionals from Lung Saskatchewan, we provide timely information and resources to guide you through tough times.

Our active communities of support include:

Find the power of community in our lung health support groups. Join us to connect with individuals who relate to your journey. Together, we can make a difference in each other's lives.

Lung Helpline

Our Lung Helpline is a free, confidential lung information service, managed by Certified Respiratory Educators.

Educators are available to answer your questions about breathing and lung diseases Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.

Call 1-833-385-LUNG (5864).

2308 Arlington Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L3
(306) 343-9511

info@lungsask.ca

DONATE >

Email Preferences