Summer 2012 Air Matters E-Newsletter

(May 30, 2012)—

  
     Please "Like" Us! 
 
"Like" us & Raise Money for Your Local Lung Association! 

We are excited to announce that a generous Lung Association supporter has offered up a challenge: for every new person that “Likes” the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific on Facebook, the donor will contribute $1.00 to the Lung Association, up to a maximum of $500! That means the more new friends we make, the more funds we will receive to improve lung health and prevent lung disease! 

But…you must act quickly! The challenge is only good between now and July 5th, so please take a moment and “Like” us today!   

Yours in Health,
 
Renée Klein
President & CEO

How Clean is Your Air? 

April marked the release of the American Lung Association’s 13th annual State of the Air report. In our 7-state Mountain Pacific region, we have much to celebrate, including:

• Honolulu, Hawaii ranked as one of the five cleanest cities in the nation, for both ozone and year-round particle pollution! 
• Cheyenne, Wyo., ranked as one of the 15 cleanest cities in the nation, for both short-term and long-term particle pollution!
• Three counties (Laramie County, Wyo.; Maui County, Hawaii and Teton County, Wyo.) ranked on the list of “Top 25 cleanest counties” for year-round particle pollution levels.
• No cities or counties in our seven-state region were ranked among the “Top 25 most polluted” cities or counties for ozone.

Some areas in our region that could be breathing cleaner air:

• Four metro areas (Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia, Wash.; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash.; Salem, Ore.; and Boise City-Nampa, Idaho;) were ranked among the most polluted cities for ozone pollution
• Two counties (Hawaii County, Hawaii and Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska) were ranked in the “Top 25 most polluted” counties for annual particle pollution

As you can see, we have much to celebrate, while at the same time, much work to still do! Visit StateoftheAir.org to learn more about how you can protect your health from air pollution and help make our air cleaner and healthier.  

Advocating for Strong Lung Health Policies – 2012 Session Review

In the 2012 legislative session, many of you, our dedicated advocates, worked with us to ensure the passage, or defense, of legislation relating to lung health. Our advocacy efforts are vital to our mission of saving lives—each of us can play a role in making a difference. Here’s a brief recap of some of our successes:

• In Alaska, the legislature appropriated $500,000 for asthma education and media programs for the coming year. The Lung Association coordinates asthma education in the state and is excited to continue our work by providing education for health providers, and children and adults with asthma.
• Hawaii was again successful in warding off attempts to weaken the comprehensive statewide clean indoor air law. Staff and volunteers provided valuable testimony and worked diligently with legislators to keep this life-saving law in place.
• Idaho’s Millennium Fund will once again support Lung Association initiatives to engage youth in tobacco control policy and provide our evidence-based tobacco cessation programs.
• Tobacco will be more difficult for Oregon youth to obtain due to the Lung Association’s efforts in passing legislation reinstating the enforcement of Oregon’s tobacco retailer inspection program. This legislation authorizes retired Oregon State Police officers to conduct cigarette sale sting operations and issue citations to stores making illegal sales.
• Tobacco Quitline services will once again be available in Washington, as advocates worked to secure $1.7 million in funding for this important cessation service. Washington had been the only state without this important cessation option for its uninsured.

There is plenty of work ahead as we prepare for 2013 legislative sessions, including increasing tobacco taxes, defending and introducing clean indoor air laws, working for lung health program funding and supporting policies ensuring clean outdoor air for everyone to breathe.

To keep current on advocacy issues, sign up for our E-Advocacy Network. You’ll receive updates on our policy initiatives, along with action alerts to make your voice heard.

Give a Gift that Leaves a Legacy…Sponsor a Koa Tree

Need a little Aloha in your life or that of a loved one? Plant a tree! The American Lung Association in Hawaii has partnered with Hawaii Legacy Hardwoods and its Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative to restore 1,000 acres of historic koa forest on Hawaii Island. Located on the slopes of the Mauna kea volcano, this historic site was once a majestic koa forest and the personal property of King Kamehameha I, the first king of Hawaii. Unfortunately, sugar, pineapple and cattle ranching have decimated these native forests.

For just $60, you can sponsor the planting of a Koa Legacy Tree and contribute to the reforestation of Hawaii. Simply designate the American Lung Association when making your purchase, and Hawaii Legacy Hardwoods will donate $20 to the Lung Association to help us prevent tobacco use, fight for clean air, and improve lung health.

Legacy Trees can honor an individual, commemorate an event, or memorialize a loved one. Perfect for birthdays, graduations, anniversary, weddings and memorials, it is a simple, affordable, giving solution which benefits all of us today and future generations tomorrow.

To learn more and sponsor your own tree, visit: Legacytrees.org/americanlung.

Raising Funds, Having Fun! 

From climbing the stairs of our region's tallest buildings, to biking throughout our scenic states, our supporters have been busy raising funds to support our mission of saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.


 
Fight For Air Climb Debuts in Idaho

On Saturday, April 28, over 100 participants headed up the stairwells of the tallest building in Idaho, US Bank Plaza, to raise funds and awareness for the American Lung Association.

Climbers from a wide range of ages - from second-graders to Baby Boomers - got a great workout and enjoyed the party atmosphere provided by KHITS Radio and KIVI TV news anchors Don Nelson and Michelle Edmonds.

A big thank you to our generous sponsors - including US Bank, Journal Broadcast Group, Unico Property Management, and Bodybuilding.com - and to our participants, who together raised over $25,000 to support our mission and programs! Our post-event survey shows that 93% of respondents want to participate again next year, and 100% would recommend the event to a friend!

 
Supporters Cycle for Lung Health in Alaska

The 27th Clean Air Challenge was a success! Despite the chilly 35-degree start to Day 1, 250 riders rode the first 60 miles from Houston to Talkeetna, Alaska. At rest stops, participants shared personal stories of why they rode. Steve Lindbeck spoke about riding for his wife, Patty Ginsburg, a regional ALA board member, lung cancer survivor and Clean Air Challenge participant, as well as his own years of struggling to breathe. Steve is especially thankful for the local clean indoor air laws championed by the Lung Association in Alaska.

Dara Glass, a team captain and the top fundraiser (almost $5,000!) shared how she discovered two years ago that her non-smoking, world-class athlete husband, Sam, had lung cancer. These are just some of the reasons that our wonderful supporters ride and raise funds for the American Lung Association. This year, Clean Air Challenge participants have already raised over $173,000 and are still going strong! Lucky Dara, our top fundraiser, won two tickets to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

 
Over 2,700 Supporters Reached the Beach! 

On May 19th, we held the 22nd annual Reach the Beach! Thousands of people came out to support the American Lung Association in Oregon. We couldn’t have asked for better weather with warm temperatures and a shady cloud cover until the afternoon. Over 2,700 Reach the Beach participants raised over $500,000 for American Lung Association programs, advocacy efforts and research. Their support is critical to advancing our mission of clean air and lung health throughout the year.

A Run/Walk For The Entire Family!

Over 400 people came to Seattle’s Magnuson Park for the Fight For Air Run/Walk on May 6. Lung transplant recipient Craig White shared his inspirational story to begin the day, then went on to run the course! Runners and walkers of all ages made their way through the scenic 5K course with terrific volunteer support along the way.

Entertainment by the Radio Disney Road Crew awaited participants at the finish line, along with Petco, with treats for the four-legged participants, truly making this a dog and family-friendly event!  Many other sponsors and vendors provided goodies, including Umpqua Bank, Honest Tea, Somersault Snack Company and the Seattle Salsa Guy.

A special thank you to all of our sponsors, particularly Kindred Hospital, Evergreen Escapes, and The Walking Company which provided the event shirts! The funds raised will make a real difference in the lives of people with lung disease.