Mission Moment July 2019
American Lung Association Earns Charity Navigator Top Rating: We are proud to announce that on July 1, the American Lung Association earned the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. The 4-star designation is the highest rating given by the influential Charity Navigator and places the American Lung Association among the very top of U.S. non-profits. The Lung Association was awarded a Financial score of 95 percent and an Accountability and Transparency score of 97 percent, for a stellar overall score of 95.87 percent – an all-time high rating for our organization. Learn more in our latest blog.
Taking Legal Action against EPA to Protect our Air against Dangerous 'ACE' Rule: On July 8, the American Lung Association and the American Public Health Association, represented by attorneys from the Clean Air Task Force, filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) repeal of the Clean Power Plan – the first-ever federal policy to reduce harmful carbon pollution from power plants – and the move to replace it with the dangerous "Affordable Clean Energy" (ACE) rule.
Lung Association Awarded One of Its Largest Grants Ever to Study Millennials' Lung Health: In late June, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that the Lung Association has been awarded a new $24.8 million grant that bears our name, "The American Lung Association Lung Health Cohort." Through this historic grant, scientists will conduct the first-ever national study focused on the lung health of millennials. Read more and watch the video.
Lung Association Fighting to Keep Healthcare Protections in Place: Despite millions of Americans now having quality and affordable healthcare as the result of the Affordable Care Act, there is a lawsuit threatening the entire law. On Tuesday, July 9, a Court of Appeals held oral arguments in Texas v. Azar in response to a lower court ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. While the Lung Association filed a friend of the court brief in this case disagreeing with that lower court, we also aren't waiting for the court to rule to make sure patients' needs are met: on Tuesday June 25, the Lung Association and our partners held a virtual Advocacy Day with several Senate offices to call attention to the real risk to patients face as the result of this lawsuit. The Lung Association also sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, expressing our grave concern about protections for people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer, and the need for Congress to act if patient protections are harmed during the lawsuit.
LUNG CANCER
LUNG FORCE HERO:Kelly fights for the memory of her mother who passed from lung cancer. When you or a loved one has lung cancer it can become very overwhelming. Searching for answers Kelly called the Lung HelpLine for support as a caregiver. The smallest connection can make the biggest impact.
RESEARCH
Honoring One of Our Youngest Patient Advisors: During an American Lung Association fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida – Lip Sync For Lungs – we were able to honor one of our youngest patient advisors. Kate Woodruff, a former Airways Clinical Research Centers participant, is now a member of our Asthma Patient Advisory Group, is helping bring the patient voice and perspective when we design and implement clinical trials. She was joined by Kathryn Blake, PharmD, who is Director of the Center for Pharmacogenomics and Translational Research at Nemours Children's Specialty Care and Principal Investigator at one of our ACRC sites. Through their moving Mission Moment Speech, their personal stories and connection to our research program doubled the donations that event participants gave that year! Both women have been vital members of our Research Team, connecting our mission to people in their community.
HEALTHY AIR
Lung Association Among 74 Medical, Public Health Groups to Declare Climate Change a "Health Emergency" With an increase in the number and intensity of climate change-related health harms – from worsening air pollution, exposure to extreme weather and the spread of insect-borne disease – we joined 73 other medical and public-health groups to declare climate change a "health emergency" and released The Call to Action on Climate Health and Equity: A Policy Action Agenda. The Agenda is a call on government, business, and civil society leaders, elected officials, and candidates for office to recognize climate change as a health emergency and to work across government agencies and with communities and businesses to prioritize action to combat climate change.
Year of Air Pollution & Health: This month during the Year of Air Pollution & Health, the focus is on dangerous ground-level ozone pollution, a common threat during the hot summer months. Ozone – often called smog – forms in the atmosphere when gases from tailpipes, smokestacks and other sources come in contact with sunlight. Ozone is more likely to form in hot, stagnant air, which is why we often see spikes of ozone pollution on hot summer days. Follow these tips to help protect yourself and your family from ozone pollution.
HEALTH PROMOTIONS
Back to School with Asthma: It may still be summer, but the start of the school year is just around the corner. Returning to school for a child with asthma can be challenging and stressful. The Lung Association is here to help! We have scores of tools and information for students and parents, including our Back-to-School Checklist to make sure you and your child are ready for a safe and healthy school year. And for anyone, young or old who wants to learn more about asthma, including teachers, check out Asthma Basics, our free one-hour interactive online learning module designed to help people learn more about asthma.
Protect Your Lungs this Summer: The heat of the summer can increase your exposure to extreme weather, increased air pollution and natural disasters, like wildfires and flooding. Stay safe and healthy with these tips and tools.
Asthma & Climate Change: Tips All People with Asthma Should Know Webcast: If you missed our recent webcast on asthma and climate change, a recording of the presentation is available. This webcast will help patients and caregivers to learn more about outdoor air quality, climate change and the impacts it has on asthma. Register here to view the recording.
EVENTS
Walk to Support LUNG FORCE: Walk and Run/Walk season is here! Join us as we walk together to raise awareness and funds to defeat lung cancer and raise our voices for lung health. Each dollar we raise gets us closer to healthy lungs for everyone. Find an event near you.
EACH Breath Blog
Could "man's best friend" hold the secret to a simpler test for lung cancer? Researchers from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine think they could! Will "fetch" and "roll over" soon be joined by "find cancer?" Learn more from our latest blog, "Can Dogs Sniff Out Lung Cancer?"
Recognizing Excellence! The work of the American Lung Association would not be possible without a dedicated corps of volunteers and staff. In June, we recognized excellence among our volunteers and staff at a ceremony in Chicago, including the Will Ross Medal, our highest volunteer award, which went to Stephen J. Nolan, Esq. We want to thank all our dedicated volunteers, staff and generous supporters for making our lifesaving mission possible. All we do is because of you!
