Mission Moment December — 2017

LUNG CANCER

Lung Cancer Awareness Month - Through our LUNG FORCE initiative, we were a national leader in raising awareness during November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month.  We released our 4th annual Lung Health Barometer that found too many Americans are not aware of their risk for lung cancer, or of the lifesaving potential of lung cancer screening. Our “Saved By The Scan” public awareness campaign, created in partnership with the Ad Council, has made great strides in reversing that trend by urging current and former smokers to learn more about lung cancer screening, and take a lung cancer screening eligibility quiz. Our message reached millions across a wide variety of media, including coverage in Parade, WGN Chicago, the Dr. Oz Show and more! A special insert in USA Today featured a message about lung cancer screening by Harold Wimmer, our President and CEO, and a feature on COPD (in recognition of COPD Awareness Month) by one of our volunteer medical experts, Dr. MeiLan Han.

Lung Cancer Registry: Would you like to help advance the cause of lung cancer research? The Lung Cancer Registry collects detailed medical information about people who have been touched by lung cancer (those diagnosed as well as guardians, caretakers and representatives). Researchers can study the health data in the registry from you and thousands of other lung cancer patients. This leads to a better understanding of the disease and can ultimately produce better outcomes for patients. In addition, by participating in the registry, you will be able to learn about new clinical trial opportunities that may help in your own treatment program. For more information and to share with those who may be interested, visit LungCancerRegistry.org. 

COPD

National COPD Awareness Month: November was also National COPD Awareness Month. As part of our efforts to raise awareness, a special insert in USA Today featured a message about COPD by one of our national volunteer spokespeople,  Dr. MeiLan Han. As part of our year-round commitment to COPD patients and their caregivers, we also have scores of information and tools for anyone facing COPD, including:

• Better Breathers Clubs
• COPD Management Plan
• Living with COPD Online Support Community

You can also get support and information by calling our toll-free Lung HelpLine (1-800-LUNGUSA), which is staffed by respiratory therapists, certified tobacco cessation counselors, registered nurses and other health professionals.

TOBACCO

Quit Smoking for New Year's: Many smokers vow to quit during the holidays or for the new year. At the Lung Association, we believe anyone can enjoy a new, tobacco-free life. If you or someone you love is planning to quit, here are 8 tips to help you quit for good. We’re here every step of the way with tools and tips on how to quit.

Big Tobacco’s Moment of Truth: By court order, tobacco companies must finally tell the American public the truth about their lethal products. Beginning on November 26, major U.S. tobacco companies began publishing court-mandated "corrective statement" advertisements, telling the American people the truth about their deadly and addictive products and secondhand smoke. The corrective statements are the result of a landmark federal court decision in 2006, in which major tocacco companies were convicted of racketeering and defrauding the public with false claims.  Learn more about the critical role the American Lung Association played in this case.

INFLUENZA

Time to Get Vaccinated for the Flu: If you haven’t gotten vaccinated for the flu, it’s not too late! In fact, flu season usually peaks in January or February. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone 6 months of age and older get an annual flu vaccine. Learn more about the flu and get quick tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

HEALTHCARE

Call Your Senators and Representative to Protect Healthcare for 13 Million Americans: Despite all of our best efforts and hard work, the Senate included the repeal of the individual healthcare mandate in its final tax bill that was passed on Saturday, December 2. We’re deeply disappointed, because repealing the individual mandate will leave 13 million Americans without healthcare coverage and increase health insurance premiums for even more. However—we still have one more chance to get this terrible repeal out of the final tax bill. Because the Senate and House-passed versions are different, they must be conferenced so there’s only one version of the bill. The House and Senate will each need to pass the final version of the bill before it can be sent to the White House and signed into law. Please go to Lung.org/healthcarebill and call your 3 members of Congress now and ask them to reject the repeal of the individual mandate in the tax bill.

HEALTHY AIR

Parents & Grandparents—Please Sign a Letter Supporting the Clean Power Plan: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering a proposal to revoke the Clean Power Plan, a lifesaving plan which would have prevented 4,500 premature deaths every year, once it was fully implemented. To amplify this impact, the Lung Associations has started collecting signatures on a letter for parents and grandparents who support the Clean Power Plan, with a goal of getting 4,500 signatures before the deadline of January 16, 2018. Please add your name in support of healthy air for our children and grandchildren, and encourage others to sign as well!

Lung Association Staff Testified at Dirty Diesel Truck Loophole EPA Hearing: On December 4, Paul Billings, Janice Nolen and Diana Van Vleet testified at an EPA public hearing in Washington, D.C. on the proposed repeal of a rule to close a loophole for dirty diesel trucks known as “gliders.” EPA estimated that closing the diesel trucks loophole will prevent up to 1,600 premature deaths over the lifetime of the glider trucks sold in 2017 alone. Lung Association staff urged the EPA not to reopen this loophole. See their testimonies here, here, and here.

Legal Action Taken Against EPA on Ozone: On December 4, the Lung Association, the American Thoracic Society, the American Public Health Association and other groups took legal action against the EPA for its failure to meet a legal requirement to identify communities in the country where ozone levels exceed the 2015 ozone national air quality standard by October 1, 2017. See our media statement.

Lung Staff Testified at EPA Hearing on the Proposed Clean Power Plan Repeal: On November 28, Lung staffers Diana Van Vleet and Kevin Stewart testified at the EPA public hearing in Charleston, West Virginia on the proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan, urging the EPA not to repeal this lifesaving rule. Learn more about how to submit your own comment to the EPA.

EACH BREATH BLOG

The American Lung Association was founded by volunteers, and for more than a century, volunteers have been a vibrant, energizing force in our organization. In this month’s featured blog post, we meet volunteer Bill Kempiners, who was awarded the Lung Association’s highest honor for volunteerism—the Will Ross Medal—for exceptional volunteer leadership in advocacy. Would you like to make a difference like Bill? Consider becoming a Lung Association volunteer!

November 28 was Giving Tuesday, and we want to thank all of you, who gave from the heart to support healthy lungs and healthy air!  If you haven’t had a chance to donate, it’s not too late. You can help us wrap up the year, and give the gift of breath! One thoughtful way to support our lifesaving work is to make a gift in honor or memory of someone. THANK YOU again for all you do. YOU make everything we do possible.