Erin Simpson, TV personality and Ambassador for Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, adds: “After suffering from asthma for most of my life, I know how important this national awareness campaign is. Let’s offer support to those who need it and let’s get more awareness out there so that we can start to make a real difference to those with asthma and respiratory conditions. At this time of year it makes it all the more important, as we head into spring. Let’s all get on board and challenge ourselves – respiratory health can be a challenge in itself!”
Teresa Demetriou, Head of Education and Research at Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, adds: “The campaign promotes a healthy active lifestyle, which can benefit those with a respiratory condition. This campaign comes at a time when asthma and other respiratory conditions can really ramp up at the start of spring; but everyone is different and different times of the year can affect people in different ways. Our general advice is to make sure that if people are worried they should go and visit their GP or health professional early before we really get into spring. If you’re an asthma sufferer and only take your preventer inhaler during the spring and summer when pollen is a problem for you, it’s really important to start using your preventer ahead of the predicted pollen season as it can take some weeks for the medication to get into your system.”
Respiratory disease includes asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is calling all organisations, schools, clubs, businesses, families and individuals across the country to set up their own Better Breathing Challenge fundraising page on ‘Everyday Hero’. Or, people can sponsor others who have already set up Challenges from around the country. For more information and details visit www.breathebetterseptember.co.nz
For further information about how to stay healthy this spring and also for further advice please visit www.asthmaandrespiratory.org.nz and www.learnaboutlungs.org.nz
