Pictured: Ben Mario with his family in their home

These days Ben Mario and his family are breathing in the love, not radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and Saskatchewan is a hot spot. By taking action to reduce radon levels, you ensure safe, healthy air in your home which helps prevent lung cancer. You can’t see, taste or smell radon.  The only way to know how much is in your home is to test for it.

Ben Mario tested his home for radon because he has two small children that play in the basement - an area of the home where radon levels are the highest. When their radon test results showed their home had high levels of the dangerous gas, Ben took action right away with the help of a certified radon reduction expert to lower the radon levels significantly.  “I have peace of mind that I am not putting myself and family at risk in our home,” says Ben.

TEST. Go local and test your home for radon today! The cost of your radon test kit includes your radon lab analysis and results which are analyzed by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Environmental Laboratories.

REDUCE. Work with a certified radon reduction expert.

WIN. Enter the Radon Sweepstakes! Once you have tested your home for radon and have taken action to reduce levels below Health Canada’s recommended guideline of 200 Bq/m3  you have a chance to receive a rebate for up to $1000 towards the cost of the radon reduction method in your home.

BREATHE EASY. On average you breathe 22,000 each and every day. Ben and his family breathe easy after taking action on the radon levels in their home. “I tell people my radon story all the time.  I worry about people unknowingly breathing in air that could harm them.  Radon awareness is important so people can make informed decisions about their health,” says Ben.

Pictured: Volunteer Breathe Ambassador Darlene Mickleborough and family.

We invite anyone who has been affected by pulmonary fibrosis to join our private online Facebook Support group.  Caregivers and family members are invited to join.

The purpose of the group is to provide a forum where patients and caregivers can come together in a safe environment to ask questions, share experiences and offer support to each other. The group is here to help those living with pulmonary fibrosis navigate their journey in a supported way knowing they are not alone.

Coming in 2019! With the generosity of our donors, we are pleased to announce Caring Breaths, The Lung Association’s financial assistance program. A diagnosis of lung disease often comes with increased costs to both the patient and their caregivers. The financial burdens associated with lung disease can cause added stress and limit one’s ability to manage their disease. We want you to be able to focus on breathing better. Look for more details on the Caring Breaths program and how to apply in future Breathe Newsletters.

In case you missed it, check our Second Breath organ donation awareness and fundraising campaign.

Have you ever imagined having a super power, wondered what it might be and how you could use it for good deeds? Did you know you most of us have a super power we often don’t think about enough? The power to save lives. As an organ donor you could save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to fifty people by gifting your organs to save others. Is that not a gift worth talking to your loved ones about?

Together with your loved ones take the time to read the extraordinary stories of the Lung Association volunteer BREATHE Ambassadors, ordinary people who truly understand the impact one organ donor can make in the lives of so many. The gift of life does more than saves lives, it changes how people live their lives and the Lung Association Breathe Ambassadors live each new day in honor of and in service to those who made the gift possible.

Pictured: 2019 Breathe Strong Ambassadors, Dr. Maryam Mehtar, Jennalee and Luka Brewer and Jill Hubick.

The Breathe Strong raffle is just around the corner. February 19th is the launch date and this will be your chance to win a jackpot of up to $115,000 and many other cash and holiday prizes. Your ticket purchase ensures those living with lung disease in Saskatchewan have access to programs provided by the Lung Association that provide practical and emotional support to those who need our help. Evidence shows that patient support programs improve quality of life and reduce the burden of disease, so buy your ticket today to make a difference in the lives of those living with lung disease in our province.  

A long list of health organizations including the province's physicians, registered nurses and health charities are calling on the provincial government to take immediate action to address Saskatchewan's smoking rates, particularly among youth. Surveys consistently show that Saskatchewan has the highest youth smoking rates in Canada. The latest data, the 2017 Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drug Survey released in October, found that 22 percent of youth aged 15-19 are current smokers compared to 8 percent nationally.

The Saskatchewan Coalition for Tobacco Reduction released a report with a list of policy recommendations intended to reduce tobacco use and generate revenue for tobacco control enforcement and programs. It has been nearly a decade since the Saskatchewan government updated its Tobacco Control Act. Since then new issues have emerged including the growth of flavoured tobacco products, the introduction of e-cigarettes/vaping products and the proliferation of hookah lounges (water pipe cafes).

As a member of the Canadian Free Wills Network, The Lung Association, Saskatchewan is pleased to offer a free Will or an update to an existing Will to our supporters. We are able to do so through the generosity of participating lawyers across Saskatchewan.

This is your chance to have a simple Will prepared and if you wish to do so, include a legacy gift to The Lung Association, Saskatchewan. 

Having an up-to-date Will prepared by a lawyer is the only way to ensure that your future wishes will be carried out as you intended. It is also a wonderful way to advance lung health in the province and support many future generations to breathe easier.

For more information please contact Renata Huyghebaert at Renata.Huyghebaert@sk.lung.ca or call 1-306-667-3045 

Lung transplantation can be a challenging journey for patients, family members and caregivers. In collaboration with the Lung Association of Saskatchewan, the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition is creating a video series about the lung transplant experience. The videos are intended to provide education and support for patients undergoing assessment for lung transplant, as well as their family members and caregivers.

If you are a support person we would love to hear your story. Past or current caregivers to patients in Saskatchewan are invited to participate. The study will involve sharing your thoughts in a one-on-one interview either by phone or in person. A $15 coffee card will be provided as a token of our appreciation. Please contact Ashley Yagelniski at Ashley.yagelniski@saskhealthauthority.ca or Holly Mansell at (306) 966-1512 or holly.mansell@usask.ca or for more information.