1- 7 September marks National Asthma Week around the nation; a week when the Asthma Foundations of Australia ask the community to think about asthma and how it impacts on Australians. It is also the official start of Spring which is a notoriously difficult time of year for asthma sufferers.
With over two million Australians living with asthma, it is officially one of the nation’s top health priorities and as such it is expected that everyone is affected by asthma; be it via a family member, friend, work colleague or sporting peer.
The theme of National Asthma Week in 2011 is a simple one, “You can help someone with asthma.” This week the Asthma Foundation of WA is asking the entire State to consider if they know what to do; be it, to manage their asthma, or to respond to an asthma emergency.
CEO of the Asthma Foundation of WA, David Johnson said, “There is a range of asthma activities occurring throughout the State this week. We encourage the community to visit the Asthma Foundation WA website to access information about this important health issue and about the various free education sessions that are available. Asthma Week is the national week for promoting asthma awareness, education and selfmanagement and we hope to inspire people to learn what to do for asthma.”
A vital part of Asthma Week is creating a platform for awareness and fundraising in the community. The Asthma Foundation WA’s annual Street Appeal in the Perth CBD, is happening tomorrow between 8am ‐ 5pm.
“Throughout the year our trained asthma educators meet and speak to thousands of people impacted by asthma. It is serious and very prevalent in Western Australia. The Asthma Foundation WA works tirelessly to reach the 225, 000+ Western Australians living with asthma. This week we are asking the community to think about asthma and to ensure that they know what to do to manage asthma or to treat an asthma emergency.
The services are available to teach people about asthma management, the correct way to use asthma medication and how to save someone’s life in the event of an asthma attack,” David Johnson said.
Free asthma education is offered throughout Perth during Asthma Week. In addition to this, WA schools, pharmacies, hospitals, GP’s and childcare centres are conducting Asthma Week displays in their respective organisations.
“The Asthma Week Street Appeal is a vital annual fundraiser for the work of the Asthma Foundation WA. Financial support from the community assists with funding asthma medical research and asthma services in
Western Australia; so please dig deep when you see our volunteers in the city on Friday. Alternatively, if you would like to volunteer to shake the tin for a couple of hours on Friday, we welcome your assistance,” David Johnson said.