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Message from the President & CEO

It's hard to believe that 2019 is coming to an end. Together, we have made significant accomplishments over the past year - one of the most successful years we've had in recent times. 

How your support has helped in 2019:
- We sent a record 91 campers to Camp Treasure Chest, and celebrated our 30th year of hosting this incredible camp
- Advocated for an increase in the support lung transplant patients receive from the province.
- Provided over 400 people with a much-needed sleep apnea machine that they otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford
- Doubled our local research fund from $25,000 to $50,000, in partnership with Research Nova Scotia
- Conducted a COPD health system analysis, providing recommendations to government
- Increased the number of radon detectors available for loan at local libraries to almost 300
- Provided the government with valuable input on regulating youth vaping 
- Created a radon course for real estate agents
- Started planning for the first-ever Nova Scotia stair climb

While the above list doesn't include all of the things our small but mighty team has been able to achieve, these are definitely some of the highlights from this past year - and we couldn't have done it without you!

Watch your inbox/mailbox for our Christmas Seals campaign. This Christmas appeal is a very important fundraiser to support our programming. If you haven't already donated and would like to, click HERE.

We're more than excited than ever for what we are able to accomplish together, so we hope you'll stay connected with us in the new year!

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a lung healthy new year!


- Robert MacDonald, President & CEO
Lung Association of Nova Scotia
Expanding the Radon Detector Library Loan Program

In November 2017, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia launched the first-ever Radon Detector Library Loan program, making 20 continuous radon monitoring devices available to the public to borrow. While this program was always intended as an awareness program - to ensure Nova Scotians are aware of the dangers of radon gas, we couldn't be more pleased with how successful the program has been. Since the program launched, we have helped four other provinces develop similar programs. The number of devices available to borrow in Nova Scotia has skyrocketed from the original 20 devices to almost 300, thanks to investment from some of our partners, including the government of Nova Scotia. This has effectively reduced the expected wait times to borrow a device to almost half. Some Nova Scotia MLAs have also partnered with us to make these devices available to borrow through their constituency offices! If you're looking for information on the radon detector library loan program, please click HERE
Advocating for stronger vaping regulations to protect our youth
 
Two years ago, the Lung Association of Nova Scotia started sounding the alarm about youth vaping. Over the past two years, we've conducted research, created educational materials, and consulted with government on establishing regulations for this product. In November, the Standing Committee on Health requested we participate in a panel about youth vaping. Our recommendations included: taxation, flavour bans, reducing nicotine levels and increasing the legal age to purchase. We're pleased to hear the government is close to a decision around vaping regulations and we look forward to continue working with them on this very important issue. For more information on youth vaping, please click HERE (we are adding new materials all the time)
 
 
Lungs & Lager 2019
Thank you to all our partners and supporters who joined us for the third annual Lungs & Lager event, sponsored by Labatt. It was a great chance for Lung Association staff to speak with some of the key players involved in lung health in our province. Thanks once again to Labatt for providing the venue and the cold drinks!
 
Legacy Research Grant Award Winners

Congratulations to our Legacy Research Grant award winners for 2019. This year, we presented two local research teams awards of $25,000 each. The first award was presented to Dr. Geoffrey Maksym and Dr. Paul Hernandez for their work around establishing capacity for Magnetic Resonance Functional Lung Imaging in the Maritimes. The second $25,000 award was presented to Dr. Juan Zhou for her work targeting iron for modulation of inflammation and infection in cystic fibrosis. 

We're excited to see the results from both these projects, and we expect they will both have a significant impact on lung health here in Nova Scotia.

          
        Dr. Geoffrey Maksym                                        Dr. Juan Zhou
 
Stair Heroes - a FUN, new fitness event!

The Lung Association of Nova Scotia is pleased to be partnering with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, to offer the first-ever Nova Scotia Stair Climb event in support of Nova Scotia lung health. Registration is only $25, and the event will provide fun for the whole family!

Not only is it a chip-timed fitness event, but we expect to have music, face painting, bouncy castles and fun children's characters! Plus, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency will be on-site, completing the challenge in full gear, while also competing in another #Gear-Up Challenge (to see who can "gear-up" the fastest).

Come out, have some fun with the family, get your medal and swag bag, and enjoy some snacks after the event. Plus, we'd love to have you fundraise for lung health!

CLICK HERE for more info or to register
 
Christmas Seals Campaign - Giving back at Christmas time

It's the most wonderful time of the year - but that's not necessarily the case for people who struggle to breathe. 

As you may know, we are not a government-funded organization. You, our supporters, are the ones who generously donate to support our programs and services for people who struggle to breathe - it's a gift that gives back the whole year long. 

With that in mind, we're hoping you'll take just a few moments out of your busy schedule to help your fellow Nova Scotians who are dealing with lung health issues.

Last month we sent out our annual Christmas Seals, a treasured tradition here at The Lung Association. These seals have funded life-saving research for more than 100 years. It's our way of saying thank you for your generosity toward the many children, women and men living with lung disease.

If you've already responded by sending your gift, please accept our sincere thanks. You're playing a vital role in our fight against lung disease. If you have yet to respond, we urge you to do so today! We understand how busy things are this time of year, but we hope you'll take a few moments to make an incredible, life-changing difference.

Give the gift of breath this holiday season. To make your donation now, please click HERE

To request your Christmas Seals, click HERE
Our Director of Health Initiatives wins national award

We're so proud of our Director of Health Initiatives, Dr. Mohammed Al-Hamdani, who recently won the Mitacs Canada Award for Outstanding Innovation-postdoctoral.

Mohammed's research project was a collaboration between the Lung Association of Nova Scotia, Mitacs, and Dalhousie University. His research found that Health Canada's format for plain cigarette packaging, increases attention to health warnings, and is an effective deterrent for smokers who are predisposed to fear an illness. He was chosen to receive the award from the thousands of Mitacs researchers across Canada. Congratulations Mo! What a well-deserved honour.

 
Links Fore Lungs - The perfect Christmas Gift for the Golfer in Your Life!
The 2020 Links Fore Lungs is now available to order. Get over 100 BOGO green fees at courses around the Atlantic provinces. To order, click HERE
Please note, our office will be closing for the holidays starting on December 21st, 2019. We will be reopening on Monday, January 6th, 2020.
Copyright © 2019 .The Lung Association of Nova Scotia. All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
6331 Lady Hammond Road Suite#200
Halifax, NS B3K 2S2 

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