Volume 1, Issue 9

Tuesday, May 5 is World Asthma Day

An estimated 13% of Canadian children suffer from asthma.  It is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the overall Canadian population.  Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days and the third leading cause of work loss.  Avoiding asthma triggers, learning how to control asthma and proper inhaler technique are the basis for asthma treatment.  Asthma is common and serious, but it can be controlled.  Find an asthma educator near you.

New Resource

• Always bring your CPAP machine with you for any overnight hospital stays.
• If you will be having sedation for any procedure tell all the healthcare providers that you have sleep apnea.
• Your mask headgear should not be over tightened.  When in place, you should be able to slip a finger under the strap.
• A heated humidifier can help with nasal congestion.
• Try to use your CPAP machine every night – sleep apnea does not go away, or take a vacation.

Read more about sleep apnea:

The Lung Association partnered with the PACT (Partnership to Assist with Cessation of Tobacco) program and developed a new brochure for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  This resource has tips and tools for people with COPD about quitting smoking.  To download or order your free copy of this resource visit https://sk.lung.ca/services/printed-materials

A Celebration of Saskatchewan’s Lung Health Leaders

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan celebrated their 2015 awards luncheon on Friday, April 17, 2015 in Saskatoon. The luncheon was emceed by Simon Hyatt from Shaw TV and recognized 27 leaders who have contributed significantly to supporting lung health in the province. Three staff members were also acknowledged for their years of service. Over 100 people were in attendance including His Worship Mayor Don Atchison who brought greetings on behalf of the City of Saskatoon.  Lung Ambassador, former Saskatchewan Roughrider and CFL Hall of Famer, Don Narcisse was the Lung Association’s special guest who spoke about what it was like to grow up and play professional football after being diagnosed with asthma at the age of nine.  He contributed much of his success to support from his family, especially his mother, proper asthma treatment and hard work.

Doctors Seeing the Health Effects of Climate Change

May is Leave A Legacy™ Month

Professional Education

RESPTREC™ is a national respiratory training and education program for health care professionals. It was developed and is administered by our staff at the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. We are proud to annouce that a NEW course entitled Education for Chronic Disease Management has been launched. The Chronic Disease Management Educator Course is designed for health care professionals who work with persons living with chronic conditions and their families and caregivers. More information can be found at www.resptrec.org.

We celebrate Warman and Martensville on the adoption of outdoor smoke-free spaces!

The cities of Warman and Martensville have made history by becoming the first Saskatchewan communities to protect citizens from second hand smoke in parks, playgrounds and sports fields.  The bylaw which took effect January 1, 2015, also prohibits smoking on outdoor patios of restaurants and bars, and the use of electronic cigarettes anywhere smoking is banned.  “This bylaw is just one more step toward the City of Warman’s goal of a health smart and vibrant community for all,” says Sheryl Spence, Mayor of Warman.

It has been more than 10 years since a Saskatchewan municipality adopted a new smoking bylaw. The last bylaw restricting smoking outdoors was in Saskatoon which banned smoking on outdoor patios of restaurants and bars. "The City of Martensville is a vibrant community that values active and healthy living. By jointly passing this bylaw with the City of Warman we are showing that not only do we value a healthy community but we believe as regional partners we can make a difference”, said Kent Muench, Mayor of Martensville.

The Lung Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society applaud the move. “Smoke-free places protect the health of the community, while supporting people who want to quit smoking,” says Jennifer Miller, Vice-President of Health Promotion for The Lung Association of Saskatchewan.  “This is so important here in Saskatchewan where we continue to have the highest youth smoking rates in Canada.”

Across Canada, many progressive municipalities have taken note of this and the trend has been growing.  Four provinces (Alberta, Yukon, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador) have banned smoking on outdoor patios of restaurants and bars.  Dozens of municipalities have gone even further banning smoking in parks, playgrounds, on beaches, and other public places where people gather. “We know from polling that the majority of Saskatchewan people support more smoke-free public places”, says Natalie Gierman, Director, Health Policy and Research for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “This is an issue where public opinion and public health say the same thing– it’s time. We encourage and would support other city and town councils to consider following the lead of Warman and Martensville.”

Health groups believe that working with communities and government to bring about healthy public policies is a vital part of the fight against the growing social and economic burden of chronic diseases.

We awarded the cities of Warman and Martensville with Healthy Community Awards in March.  We had children help us present the awards as the bylaws were put in place with them, and their futures, in mind.

Share The Air Raffle

Since 2002, the Share The Air Raffle has become a major source of funds that enable The Lung Association of Saskatchewan to continue its important work of improving lung health. There are only a few weeks left for you to purchase your 2015 Share The Air Raffle tickets so you can be in the draw for some fabulous prizes.  Wouldn’t it be exciting if your ticket was drawn on June 5 for $121,750 in tax-free cash or for one of the many other great prizes?  Ticket sales close midnight on Friday, May 29.

You could also be the lucky winner of an amazing vacation. Our second and third prizes are holiday packages valued at $5,500 each. You also have the option of taking the $5,000 cash payout instead.  Our friends at Marlin Travel are ready to help you pick a vacation spot that is just right for you.

Tickets are only $35 each, two for $60, or four for $100 and must be purchased before midnight on May 29, 2015.  When you purchase a four pack, you will be entered into a special draw for $1,444 cash.  Tickets can be ordered by calling 1-866-955-6886 (24-hour raffle hotline) or

1-888-566-LUNG (5864), during business hours.  You can also order your tickets online or in person.Thank you so very much for your support. (Lottery License #LR14-0082 – intended for Saskatchewan residents only)

Classified Ads

• Fisher & Paykel HC150 Humidifier for sale.  The Humidifier works fine and comes with stand, hose and water chamber. Interested?  Contact Brent in Regina: 306-539-8838 or bigbrent8@hotmail.com. 
• Oxygen tank cart with Precision Medical Regulator for sale.  Purchased new from Provincial Oxygen for $245.00.  Cart and regulator used on about 5 occasions to travel to physician appointments.  Please call Donna in Regina @306-586-6455 for more information.
• Two CPAP machines for sale:
  1. Respironics RemStar Auto-M with A-Flex
  2. Respironics RemStar Auto with C-Flex. 
  Both come with carrying case, humidifier and hose and have been recently checked by a serviceman and are in very good shape.Interested?  Call Hubert in Saskatoon at 306-652-5028.

The Lung Association of Saskatchewan is not responsible for any product purchased through ads in the Breathe Newsletter.

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