Mission Moment September 2019

TOP NEWS

Don't Use E-Cigarettes: Attracted by candy and fruit flavors, kids are becoming addicted to e-cigarettes. And more recently, there has been an outbreak of lung diseases caused by vaping. In response, the American Lung Association has issued a warning to all Americans to not use e-cigarettes. This is urgently needed in light of the recent hospitalizations and deaths reported connected to vaping.

In response to troubling new data that shows 27.5 percent of all youth are using e-cigarettes, on Wednesday, September 11, President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced the Trump Administration would be "clearing the market" of all flavored e-cigarettes.

The American Lung Association is calling on the Administration to immediately remove all flavored tobacco products from the market nationwide, prohibit all marketing to children and prohibit online sales of e-cigarettes. The agency also must enforce the law by prohibiting the introduction of new e-cigarette products without prior agency review and authorization and promptly reviewing products already on the market. We also encourage parents to talk to their kids about the harms of vaping before they’re hooked with "The Vape Talk" conversation guide, and also offer resources for teens, with more resources coming this fall for schools.

New Investments in Promising Research: Research is a cornerstone of our mission to save lives by improving lung health. The American Lung Association is proud to award $6.45 million in research, an investment that will fund 64 grants through our Airways Clinical Research Centers and Awards & Grants program. We are also opening the next application cycle with new awards and funding opportunities. Learn more about our full research program, and learn how to apply for a 2020-2021 grant.

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month: One of the most important parts of living well with pulmonary fibrosis is accessing support. Use our new online constituents’ pathways to download resources and videos, learn about treatment options, join a local Better Breathers Club, and find local resources. Our "Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis" and "Caring for Pulmonary Fibrosis" online communities are available for patients with pulmonary fibrosis and caregivers to connect with others close to the chronic lung disease.

LUNG CANCER

LUNG FORCE HERO:Denise L., whose story was featured in U.S. News and World Report, saw one of our Saved By The Scan billboards and it changed and possibly even saved her life.  Join the fight against the #1 cancer killer at LUNGFORCE.org.

RESEARCH

Can the Keto Diet Help Treat Lung Cancer? Research by Lung Association Research Team member Jung-whan Kim, Ph.D. shows that reducing blood glucose levels may ward off lung and other cancers. In a study published on Aug. 13 in the journal Cell Reports, blood glucose in mice with lung cancer was restricted by feeding the mice a low-sugar ketogenic diet, in combination with a diabetes drug that prevents glucose in the blood from being reabsorbed by the kidneys.

The "Supporting Role" of Our Research: Just like a great character actor, sometimes the Lung Association and our research play an important supporting role in other research and important medical discoveries. Our grants have long been an important launching point that set many researchers on a productive career in lung health research. Recently, two researchers who are involved in our Airways Clinical Research Centers, Mario Castro, M.D. and Leonard Bacharier, M.D., were part of a team that published an important study on the clinical significance of the bronchodilator response in children with severe asthma. While we did not fund this study, both Castro and Bacharier benefited from their work with us and Castro specifically credits the American Lung Association as an important resource.

HEALTHY AIR

Year of Air Pollution & Health: This month during the Year of Air Pollution & Health, the focus is on extreme storms and flooding, which threaten health in a range of ways – from immediate danger due to flooding and destruction, to health risks associated with cleaning up after storms. Climate change increases the risk of more frequent and intense extreme storms and flooding, and also leads to higher storm surges due to sea level rise. This has a direct impact on human health. Here are some tips on how to best protect your health during and after a flood event. A bill currently  in Congress called the "Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act" would help communities plan for and address these health impacts of climate change. Please urge your senators and representatives to support this lifesaving legislation today. It only takes a minute!

TOBACCO

Graphic Warnings an Important Tobacco Victory: The large, graphic cigarette health warning labels proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are a critical step forward that the Lung Association has long advocated for as part of the nation’s efforts to save lives by reducing tobacco use. The proposed new graphic warnings are a dramatic improvement over the current text-only warnings that have become stale and unnoticed and are supported by extensive scientific evidence. They  will help the United States catch up to the 120-plus countries that have adopted this best-practice strategy to reduce tobacco use and save lives.

EVENTS

Show Your Support:  Participating in a Walk or Run/Walk is a great way to get out, enjoy the cooler fall weather while supporting lung health. We also have two cycling treks coming up in September. Whether you walk, run or ride, every dollar you help raise gets us closer to healthy lungs for everyone. Find an event near you.

 EACH Breath Blog

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month and this month, guest blogger Robert Wollenberg shares his own story of hope and resilience in "My IPF Diagnosis: From Denial to Double Lung Transplant." Another important recent blog shares "The number one thing you can do to improve your asthma symptoms." Even though it is a known asthma trigger, many asthma patients still smoke, which is why the American Lung Association is here to help.

Everything we do is made possible because of our great supporters, like you! The lifesaving work that is carried out by Lung Association volunteers and staff is only possible because so many generous donors across the country believe in and support our mission. If you would like to become more involved, we always have opportunities for those who are committed to better health today and for future generations.