Community focus on lung health

Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago's e-newsletter is published monthly and contains news of our happenings, program updates and links to lung health resources. 

• Secretary of HHS meets with local residents to urge support for smoke-free public housing
  
• Taking our message to Washington
  
• Families at Brookfield Zoo take the "No-idling Family Challenge"
• Get Involved: Bike, run or volunteer
  

To receive our monthly e-newsletter, send an email to info@lungchicago.org.

Secretary of HHS meets with local residents to urge support for smoke-free public housing

"What the city of Chicago and Respiratory Health Association are doing to make Chicago public housing a healthier place to live and raise families is so important," said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Secretary Sebelius met with local officials and residents at Roosevelt Square, a mixed-income housing development on Chicago's West Side to highlight the Chicago Housing Authority's involvement with the newly-launched Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project.

"We need to support programs like this to make the places where people live and go to school smoke-free," said Sebelius. "I commend this terrific example of communities coming together for the greater public good."

The Chicago Housing Authority will partner with Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago to pilot smoke-free communities, provide peer education for smoking cessation and raise awareness regarding the dangers of secondhand smoke.

The two-year Chicago Tobacco Prevention Project aims to help public housing residents and other vulnerable population groups (such as veterans, restaurant service workers, people with mental health and substance abuse issues) by providing smoking cessation resources and promoting systems and policy changes that will encourage smoke-free environments where people live, work, and recreate.

Click here to see a short video of remarks by CHA Commissioner Deverra Beverly and Secretary Sebelius.

Taking our message to Washington

Volunteers and staff recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for our annual United for Lung Health Advocacy Days. This event connects advocates and lawmakers who can enact change by supporting lung-friendly bills.

Illinois volunteers met with 12 members of Congress including Senator Durbin, and briefed key staff from 10 congressional offices on various lung health issues. 

"The support of lung health including asthma, COPD and lung cancer was outstanding. You could tell the legislators really wanted to hear our ideas," said Ann Baker of Cary, Illinois. Ann, pictured here with RHAMC Board Chair Joan Boomsma (left), and RHAMC Environmental Policy Manager Ashley Collins (right), was one of several delegates who attended United for Lung Health Advocacy Days and shared her personal story of battling lung cancer.

As a direct result of the recent meetings, Congressman Mike Quigley has agreed to serve as a member of the Congressional COPD Caucus. This group of bipartisan lawmakers promotes awareness of the disease and advocates for government policies to improve the lives of COPD patients.

In addition, Congressman Danny Davis signed on as cosponsor on the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act due to requests made by United for Lung Health volunteers. This legislation provides a multi-agency approach for the federal government to address lung cancer and also provides funding for lung cancer research.

Click here to see pictures of RHAMC volunteers at United for Lung Health Advocacy Days events in Washington, D.C.

Families at Brookfield Zoo take the "No-idling Family Challenge"

At Brookfield Zoo's ChicaGo Green event in celebration of Earth Day, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago promoted its "No-idling Family Challenge" and encouraged families to join the 2010 CowaLUNGa bike tour.

Dozens of families tracked their idling activities for one week, implemented the "take action" tips and emailed their results to be entered in a prize drawing. Our winner, Victoria Jackson of Oak Brook, received a pair of RHAMC lawn chairs, perfect for summer outings and events.

Click here to learn how you can reduce or eliminate your idling time and make a positive environmental impact this week!

Get Involved: Bike, run or volunteer

Bike: CowaLUNGa, August 7–9, 2010
Join families, workplace teams and individuals for a one, two or three-day biking fundraiser. Riders will enjoy a safe, scenic route with rest stops, gear transport and accommodations. Register here or call 312.628.0212.

Run: Lung Power Team
Lung Power Team members can participate in any of the city's summer running events while raising funds for lung health and earning great prizes. We have a limited number of entries for the sold-out Bank of America Chicago Marathon available, plus great team benefits! For more information, click here or call 312.628.0213.

Volunteer: Lung Power Crew
Want to donate your time to a great cause? Join the Lung Power Crew as we support various summer runs. For more information, click here.