Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Asthma Campaign To Raise Funds

Declaring asthma to be one of the fastest growing public bealth threats of the century, the American Lung Association has launched a ASTHMATTACK!, the campaign which will lead the way in funding research to cure asthma.

Asthma rates have risen dramatically in the past few years and continue to climb, affecting more than 45,000 children and 92,000 adults in Arkansas alone.

The ASTHMATTACK! campaign, with a fund raising goal of $25 million, was announced at a press conference at the orgainization's annual international conference. John Garrison, managing director or the Lung Association, together with the volunteer co-chairs Linda Ford, M.D., and Gerard Turino, M.D., made the announcement and introduced new public service adavertising to accompanty the initiative.

"Few people realize that asthma is a lung disease which has the potential to be cured. We are launching this attack to bring that message to the public, asthma can be cured rather than merely controlled," said Garrison.

Both, Drs. Ford and Turino, said the timing is right to attackasthma. "Recent research has brought us to this point in history," said Dr. Turino. "We're ready for a breakthrough. Asthma affects many people and a victory over this disease will benefit everyone." noted Dr. Ford.

The American Lung Association has identified asthma as a lung disease priority for the coming decade. Research has been increasingly produtive and a new generation of scientists is poised to attack the disease.

Asthma is most prevalent among children under 18 years of age. Asthma rates are on the rise, up 61% from 1982 to 1994. Asthma can cause serious and frightening symptons and often compromises the daily quality of life for asthma sufferers. It can even kill. Death rates from asthma have increased over 66% since 1979.

More than $10.5 million have already been raised toward essential research for asthma. Funds raised during the initial phase of the campaign have been derived from the national American Lung Association board, council, senior management and staff; the American Thoracic Society Board and Council and state and local Lung Associations.

With the launch of the campaign, millions of individuals, as well as other corporations and foundations, will have an opportunity to join forces with the American Lung Association to attack asthma.

For more information on asthma or to make a donation toward the funding of medical research to find a cure for asthma, call the American Lung Associatiion of Arkansas at 1-800-880-5864.