TOP NEWS
Thanks for your support this year! 2021 has been a year like no other. COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives and made the lifesaving mission of the American Lung Association more important than ever. As the year comes to a close and we look to a safer, healthier future, we want to THANK YOU for your support throughout this most challenging time. Because of your support, we are funding research to discover new ways to prevent, treat and even cure lung diseases like COVID-19, and helping people continue to stay safe and healthy. As we approach the new year, we want to THANK YOU for all you do, and promise that, with your help, we will continue to be your champion for lung health.
State of Lung Cancer Report: On November 16, we released our 4th annual “State of Lung Cancer” report, which examines key lung cancer indicators throughout each state in the U.S.: incidence, survival, early diagnosis, surgical treatment, lack of treatment and screening rates. This year’s report revealed that lung cancer survival has increased but remains significantly lower for people of color. The “State of Lung Cancer” is an important opportunity for the public and state leaders to better understand how they can help turn the tide against lung cancer. Learn more about lung cancer in your state.
Build Back Better Passes the House: On November 19, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act. In response, the Lung Association released a statement applauding passage and calling on the Senate to swiftly take up the bill. While there are many more steps to go, the House passage is a tremendous step forward. Many provisions of the act will positively impact lung health, including:
- Making quality and affordable healthcare more accessible
- Addressing climate change and improving air quality
- Reducing tobacco use – you can help! Tell Congress to raise tobacco taxes.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from COVID-19: COVID-19 cases are surging in many parts of the country and a new variant has been detected and is being monitored. The Lung Association has tools and information about getting vaccinated to help keep you and those around you safe!
- Guidance on Mask Wearing
- Our “Better for It” COVID-19 vaccine toolkits can help you make a well-informed decision about COVID-19 vaccination.
- COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
- COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker has information to help you stay informed about the safety and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
- Please GIVE to the COVID-19 Action Fund so we can help end COVID-19 and defend against future respiratory viruses.
Find the latest at Lung.org/covid19 and be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram social channels and share these timely resources to your network.
Listen to Lungcast™: As part of November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our latest episode features Dr. James Mulshine at Rush University, a member of the Lung Association’s Scientific Advisory Committee, who explains the ins and outs of the improved 2021 lung cancer screening guidelines. Dr. Mulshine’s conversation with our chief medical officer Dr. Al Rizzo is another must-listen in our ongoing lung health podcast series. Tune into the interview at: Lung.org/lungcast
Healthcare Open Enrollment Is Now Open: Everyone needs quality and affordable healthcare. Open enrollment to sign up for healthcare coverage through Healthcare.gov runs through January 15 in most states. Healthcare.gov offers quality and affordable plans that cover important services like seeing a specialist for your lung disease, tobacco cessation treatment, lung cancer screening and vaccines, including COVID-19 and flu, at no cost. Please share our resources with coalition partners, all of which can be found at lung.org/openenrollment, and you can sign up at healthcare.gov to enroll in coverage.
SUPPORT THE LUNG ASSOCIATION
Join an Event and Support the Lung Association! Climb season is just around the corner! Now is the time to find a Climb near you. Our events follow CDC COVID-19 safety guidelines, while offering the experience you know and love. Get involved today by raising funds in your community. We know you'll find an event to enjoy near you. Register today.
You Can Make a Difference with a Vehicle Donation: Vehicle donations to the Lung Association have the potential to bring significant funds to important research, education and advocacy that can help save lives. We accept cars, trucks, motorcycles trailers, boats and more! Our Vehicle Donation Program makes this tax-deductible donation easy with free pick-up and support.
PATIENT SUPPORT
Improve your School's Indoor Air Quality: Research has shown poor indoor air quality can be detrimental to student performance and attendance. Our new Indoor Air Quality in Schools Guide provides a useful overview of indoor air quality, tools that schools can use to improve air quality and offers guidance for navigating CARES/CRSSA funding. Download the full guide to learn more.
LUNG CANCER
Shantel VanSanten Honored: Actress and American Lung Association Lung Health Champion Shantel VanSanten has been awarded the Lung Association’s prestigious Chairs Award for her long-time volunteer leadership and advocacy for the organization. The Chairs Award is given by the Lung Association national board of directors to a volunteer to recognize truly extraordinary contributions. VanSanten has been a volunteer for the Lung Association for more than eight years. Her passion is rooted in her love and admiration of her grandmother, Doris Dooyema, who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2013 and passed away from the disease several months later.
RESEARCH
Spotlight on Published Research: Work by Dr. Brandon DeKosky, one of our COVID Grant recipients, was recently published in the AICHE Journal. This study found that antiviral monoclonal antibodies (a therapy which temporarily increases immunity in those with infection of COVID-19) are produced more efficiently at a lower pH. In doing so, they also discovered a new antibody called LP5 which was very potent in neutralizing the SARS-COV-2 virus. The impact of this study is that it will speed up discovery and production of monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 in infected patients.
COVID Research Funding: In response to the pandemic, the Lung Association launched new COVID research funding mechanisms within 6 months of the pandemic. We are currently funding 19 of these COVID-19 respiratory awards. But our research investment does not stop there. We are examining the role of Long COVID symptoms thorough our co– funding of two awards with NHLBI. Additionally, we will be tracking the impact of COVID on millennials in our lung health cohort study. All told the Lung Association will be investing in 23 research projects examining the impacts of the pandemic.
TOBACCO
Honoring Tobacco Control Pioneer Whose Work Saved Millions of Lives: In November we announced the recipient of the annual C. Everett Koop Award, this year honoring the memory of Simon McNabb, who passed away in February 2021. McNabb was recognized for the remarkable contributions he made to significantly reducing tobacco use in our nation.
He had a diverse career in public service that included positions at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). At the EPA, he led the agency’s secondhand smoke efforts and helped design their Smoke-Free Homes Campaign. When he moved to the CDC, he played a key role in the implementation and development of guidelines and recommendations for the prevention of tobacco use. McNabb helped develop and release Surgeon General Reports, including the landmark 2014 50th anniversary report. McNabb’s life’s work inspired many and touched an untold number of lives.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Guest blogger Afif El-Hasan, MD, one of our volunteer medical spokespeople and a pediatrician in California, shares “Why You Need to Know (and Care) About Port Pollution.” Dr. El-Hasan has learned a lot about pollution from ports up close and knows how damaging breathing polluted air can be for a child.
Wishing You a Happy Healthy New Year!
As the year draws to a close, we want to wish you Happy Holidays and a safe and healthy New Year! Our commitment to you in the year ahead is to be excellent stewards of your donations, with 90 cents of every dollar going to program services that support our lifesaving mission, and to continue to be your trusted champion for healthy lungs!
Blog last updated: August 25, 2023
