Pictured: Danielle Switzer, Health Promotion Practitioner, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Dr. Mark Brown, Family doctor in Moose Jaw, Jennifer May, Vice President Community Engagement The Lung Association, Saskatchewan, Donna Pasiechnik, Canadian Cancer Society, Dr. Mark Vooght, Medical Health Officer, Southwest Area, Saskatchewan Health Authority and Dr. Suneil Bapat, Public Health Preventive Medicine Resident Physician, University of Saskatchewan

Congratulations to Moose Jaw City Council who passed Smoking Bylaw #5575 which will protect their residents from tobacco and vape exposure in outdoor public spaces including patios, sports fields, playgrounds and parks. With discussions beginning in 2017 and consultations with the community, the end result was the successful passing of the Bylaw in June.  The city of Moose Jaw joins many other Saskatchewan municipalities that have passed this important public health bylaw. Bylaw #5575 will take effect July 1, 2019.

Will you help?

The Lung Association, Saskatchewan's financial assistance program, Caring Breaths, launched earlier this year and now we want to spread the word so that patients living with lung disease know where to come to for help.

A diagnosis of lung disease does not come alone, our patient community tells us that with illness comes a heavy financial burden as many are unable to work and have to travel for treatment. We want to help. The Caring Breaths program is intended to improve the quality of life for those struggling to breathe and maybe then there will be one less worry to bear.

This program is only made possible because of the generosity of you, our donors. To ensure this program is able to continually help people in Saskatchewan, please consider providing a gift today that will make the world of difference to someone struggling to breathe.

We will also be hosting an online auction to raise funds for our Caring Breaths financial assistance program. 

Check out all the cool auction items up for grabs!

On June 20th, Paul Davis Restoration Saskatoon hosted a BBQ fundraiser for local businesses and public to attend with all proceeds going towards The Lung Association, Saskatchewan. The BBQ raised an amazing amount of $168.05  Thank you to Paul Davis Saskatoon for the great BBQ and being wonderful hosts!

Also, thank you to everyone that came out to enjoy a delicious lunch and congratulations to all of the draw winners.  We appreciate and are thankful for our community partners, Paul Davis, Saskatoon!

Our biggest, brightest campaign of the year is coming and we want to make sure you get on the list! If you would like to guarantee your Christmas Seals this year sign up with your address by clicking the link below.

Are you or a loved one newly diagnosed or living with lung disease? We are here to help! Check out our online support groups page for updated information on in person support group meetings, Facebook closed groups and resources.

Start your Labor Day weekend off right and attend our Green and Blue Shindig happening on August 31 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina!

This interactive evening features questions and answers featuring current CFL All Star and 2019 Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year Adam Bighill and four-time CFL all-star and now retired professional player Andrew Greene. The event will also include appetizing food and beverages, both a silent and live auction along with a local celebrity to emcee the event. This will also be our kickoff of our Saskatchewan / Manitoba Tackle Radon project! Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and Saskatchewan is a national hotspot.  The host venue is the respected AGT Lounge at Regina’s Mosaic Stadium. Located on the 300 level of the west side, you get an exclusive opportunity to experience the stadium from the best seats in the house!  Tickets for this fun interactive evening are only $60. 

The Lung Association is very concerned by the findings in the new study conducted by Dr. David Hammond from the University of Waterloo, published in the British Medical Journal titled “Prevalence of vaping and smoking among adolescents in Canada, England, and the United States: repeat national cross sectional surveys.”  This study shows an alarming increase in the smoking and vaping rates among youth, signaling a clear need for immediate corrective action.

The study shows that vaping rates among Canadian youth (age 16-19) have increased from 8.4 per cent to 14.6 per cent from 2017 to 2018, representing a 74 per cent increase, while smoking rates in the same age group and years have increased from 10.7 per cent to 15.5 per cent, representing 45 per cent jump. The trend is reflective of the re-popularization of smoking behaviour by e-cigarettes and other vapour devices.

The inviting design and flavours of vapes have introduced nicotine to Canadian youth, with limited regulations and public education efforts to assuage the epidemic. The current trend threatens to create a new generation of Canadian youth who are addicted to nicotine.

What can you do as a concerned adult?  Read our recommendations for the Saskatchewan Government in the Protecting Our Future document and sign our petition for provincial vaping legislation at www.ProtectSaskatchewanKids.ca

What does inspire mean to you?

For us, it means empowered, motivated and most importantly it describes the inhalation of a deep and powerful breath. Our vision is to live in a world where everyone has healthy lungs and the struggle to inhale, to take that next breath is no longer a fight for anyone. Inspired Giving is a program for those who share our vision and want to improve lung health in our province by donating monthly. People like you, who care about making a direct impact in our communities. A direct impact for health, for our children, for our future, for our loved ones. 

Join us on our journey and leave an inspired gift today at www.inspiredgiving.ca

Not so great weather = great news for you if you didn't have time to register for our June dates!

Mother Nature was not on our side (again) which means MEGABOUNCE has been postponed to the evening of September 13th! Register today to secure your start time!

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 

The Lung Association, Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) are pleased to announce the Collaborative Innovation Development Grant of up to $50,000 per project for 12-18 months. This grant fosters creativity, novelty and innovation in collaborative research, strengthening future funding applications by providing seed funding for ideas that are supported by a sound rationale and feasible plan, but not necessarily preliminary data.

Launch Date: June 13, 2019

Eligibility Check Cut-Off: September 5, 2019 (4:30 p.m. CST)