BREATHING TOGETHER Annual report 2016/2017

2014/2015

ANNUAL REPORT

Our Vision To create a world free of lung disease

Our Mission We raise money and provide funding for research and prevention of lung disease and patient support

For 75 years The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT has been dedicated to its mission of promoting and improving lung health for all Albertans and residents in the Northwest Territories. We are a non-profit and volunteer-based health charity that raises funds supporting lung health research, prevention, and to support patients with lung disease. The Lung Association movement in Alberta began in the 1930s to control the spread of tuberculosis (TB) and provide better services for TB patients. Today, The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT focuses on all issues that affect the ability of Albertans and residents in the Northwest Territories to breathe: from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), healthy air, support groups, research, smoking prevention, cessation and advocacy. Through our network of passionate lung health researchers, health professionals, volunteers and supporters, we are driven to raise funds for local and national efforts that contribute to and promote lung health.

Message from Tom Watts,

2014/2015 Volunteer Board Chair 2015 was a great year for The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT, this was a year of change for Albertans and The Lung Association. Changes in government led to both new challenges and new opportunities for us and we are excited for the future. We have been supporting Albertans with lung disease for such a long time and recognize our need to change with the times. We had excellent results from our donor focus group meetings and are pleased and excited to enter this new era. Together with our national office, Canadian Lung Association we are entering a revitalization stage and a renewed focus on what is important to us nationally, provincially and as one of the oldest health charities. Awareness both of lung disease and the organization continues to be top of mind for us. We worked hard this year increasing awareness through events at the Legislature for Lung Month in November, as well as participating in key stakeholder groups like the Respiratory Health Strategic Clinical Network, Clean Air Strategic Alliance and Health Partners to name just a few. Participation in these groups help us to keep an eye on the general public’s issues, helping us to serve patients and donors better. We had substantial media coverage in 2015, focusing on key issues like the environment, this leads to increased awareness and support for our mission and vision. Our increased focus on major gifts and “Do It Yourself” fundraising is still of primary importance and focus. We continue to develop key contacts and relationships that will bring increased awareness and engagement to us. The statistics for lung disease are alarming and growing, we need engagement from everyone to stop the growing trend. Increased support for research, prevention and support is crucial. Every 30 minutes someone is hospitalized due to COPD and every 20 minutes due to asthma, this places an enormous burden on patients and our health care system alike. Over 600,000 Albertans are suffering from lung disease right now, we need to reduce this number to prevent lung disease from rising to first place as the number one cause of deaths in Canada. This is the end of my term as volunteer Chair, please join me in welcoming incoming volunteer Chair, Paul Borrett. I look forward to working with him and the rest of The Lung Association volunteer Board of Directors in the year ahead.

Tom Watts 2014/2015 Volunteer Board Chair

3

WHY WE MATTER TOBACCO Tobacco use remains the greatest preventable cause of death and disease. It is the leading cause of death from lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yet, despite years of public education, smoke free legislation, tax increases, advertising and sales restrictions and more, close to five million Canadians aged 15 and older (16 per cent) are still smoking.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading killer of Canadians - and rates in Alberta are continuing to grow. Roughly 82,000 Albertans are living with COPD - a number that has grown by 15 per cent since 2012, according to Statistics Canada. The disease also has a higher hospitalization rate and a higher hospital re-admission rate than heart failure, angina, and other serious chronic diseases. Yet, the majority of Albertans and residents in the Northwest Territories don’t know what COPD is, whether they’re at risk, or how to get tested.

ASTHMA Canada has one of the highest asthma rates in the world and in Alberta rates are continuing to grow. More than 290,000 Albertans are living with asthma, which is also the most common on-the-job disease, the third leading cause of lost work time, and the leading cause of school absenteeism and hospitalization for children. Though effective medications and treatments are available, many children and adults still have not effectively managed their asthma.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY/RADON Lung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers. While smoking is the main cause, a significant portion of cases (10 to 15 per cent) occurs among people who never smoked a day in their lives. Researchers have identified a number of other possible causes - the best known is second-hand smoke. Radon gas and asbestos exposure are also known causes. In addition, environmental pollution and genetic factors are believed to play a role. An estimated 2,100 Albertans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetimes - an estimated 1,620 Albertans will die from lung cancer.

SLEEP APNEA Statistics show that 26 per cent of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older are at high risk of sleep apnea, one of the most seriously under-diagnosed chronic respiratory conditions today. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious breathing problem that interrupts one’s sleep. Those affected stop breathing dozens or even hundreds of times each night. Left untreated, the consequences can be life-threatening. People with sleep apnea are at higher risk for heath attacks and strokes, high blood pressure, depression and memory loss; and they’re seven times more likely to have a car crash.

OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY We breathe 20,000 times a day, passing 10,000 litres of air through our lungs - and much of that air we breathe contains pollutants. Even so, convincing Albertans and residents in the Northwest Territories to take air pollution seriously is difficult, particularly if we rely on comparisons to cities and countries with even worse problems. Yet, the evidence is clear - air pollution is an important public health issue in terms of the number of people it affects and the range of diseases associated with it.

TUBERCULOSIS Despite the low incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Canada, 1,600 new cases are reported every year. Worldwide, close to 9 million people develop active TB each year and 1.4 million will die. If not treated, each person will activate TB infects - on average - 10 to 15 others. Tuberculosis tends to travel into Canada as people travel back and forth to high incidence countries, with the majority of all new cases in Canada occurring in people born outside the country and First Nations peoples.

4

WHY YOUR GIFT MATTERS If you’ve never struggled to breathe, it can be hard to understand how terrifying that can be. But for those who live with lung disease, breathing is an everyday struggle. Your support has helped them catch their breath. Life-threatening lung diseases are on the rise and more than 600,000 Albertans are coping with lung disease. As Alberta’s population grows, this number will increase. The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT works to help the newly-diagnosed, and those living with chronic conditions, receive the information and care they need to battle their illness. The Lung Association supports the work of health professionals and educators who assist patients directly, and researchers who are exploring new treatments that hold promise of a cure. It’s a collaborative effort one that relies on the generosity of people like you. Your donation has helped those living with lung disease breathe easier and face the future with strength and hope.

THE LUNG ASSOCIATION BY THE NUMBERS: 7%

81%

12%

How the money is raised Gaming: 7 % Grants: 12 % Fundraising: 81%

12c

33c

20c

35c

How every dollar is spent: Administration Expenses: 20 cents Fundraising Expenses: 33 cents Services and Programs: 35 cents Research Programs: 12 cents

For detailed information from The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT, go to www.ab.lung.ca. You can also call 1-866-566-LUNG (5864) to request to have a financial report mailed to you.

5

EMPOWERED BY BREATHING Supporters of The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT have helped out in the fight against lung disease for generations in Alberta. Whether it was hosting charity runs and walks in their community to give researchers the weapons they need to seek out cures and new treatments for lung diseases, or to help raise awareness about lung disease - The Lung Association’s supporters stepped up in a big way in 2015. Supporters of The Lung Association rallied together by donating to campaigns like The ArtWorks for Lung Health, Lung Research, and Christmas Seals - one of our oldest charitable fundraising campaigns in Canada. Others have helped out in the fight against lung disease by hosting their own events to raise money for research, prevention and support for patients - including a group of passionate barrel racers in Ponoka. Once again organizers of the Lyle Norn Memorial Barrel Racing Series was held in Ponoka to remember a passionate volunteer who died from COPD at the age of 67. “We all want to make a difference,” said Norn’s granddaughter, Kaylee-Jo Henkelman who is already planning for a similar event in 2016. Businesses have also challenged others to fight lung disease, including a hotel in Edmonton who challenged their guests to take the stairs instead of an elevator for prizes.

6

The Travelodge Edmonton West donated $5 for every climb up its five-storey building during the summer and fall months of 2015. These efforts by the hotel and their guests resulted in a $4,410 donation to help with research, prevention, and support. “The Lung Association is close to a lot of people here,” said Alyson Mitchell, sales manager at the west-end Edmonton hotel. “We’ve had a lot of friends and family here who have been affected by lung issues. It seemed like a smart partnership for us.” Residents in the town of Tofield, a small community 84 km east of Edmonton, not only celebrated Canada Day July 1 - they also raised money to help The Lung Association. 2015 was the 19th year of this incredible annual event. Organized by the dedicated volunteer fire department, fire crews flipped burgers to raise money to fight lung disease. Community events like these provide crucial support in the fight against lung disease - not only do they engage community and increase awareness, but the funds raised go to help people who need it most.

HIGHLIGHTS 2015 EDUCATING HOMEOWNERS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF RADON You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. You can’t taste it. However, radon - an invisible, odourless, and radioactive gas - is present in every home. The question every homeowner needs to answer is how much of that silent killer is in his or her home? And that question continues to be asked by The Lung Association to homeowners as it spent the fall and winter months educating home and building owners about the dangers of radon gas and how to test and fix it. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of cancer behind smoking.

During the summer months in 2015 - one of the worst forest fire seasons in Alberta - The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT urged Albertans and residents in the Northwest Territories to be aware of the air they are breathing in by monitoring the air quality health index 365 days a year. The index provides a number on a scale between one and 10 to indicate the level of health risk associated with air quality. The higher the number, the higher the risk to health and a greater need for those “at-risk” to take precautions. It is estimated that air pollution kills about 5,900 Canadians a year.

A BREATHTAKING WEBSITE The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT ended a busy 2015 by overhauling its website to give it a new look and refreshing feel. The website, which can now be viewed on smart phones and tablets, can give those who want instant lung health information or to become involved with The Lung Association instant access to resources, brochures, and ideas on how to help fight lung disease in their communities. Patients and supporters of The Lung Association can also get instant access to the latest in lung health news in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Coming soon: supporters can also soon sign up instantly for a newsletter subscription from The Lung Association.

WHAT ARE YOU BREATHING TODAY? It is important to always understand the quality of the air around you - especially for those who have chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD.

7

STOPPING YOUTH FROM SMOKING

PROTECTING THE AIR WE BREATHE

Measures to stop minors from smoking became even more effective within Alberta in 2015. The province’s newly elected Rachel Notley government included menthol cigarettes as part of Alberta’s flavoured tobacco ban. During her first news conference as Alberta’s health minister in May 2015, Sarah Hoffman says four per cent of adult smokers use menthol tobacco while one-third of all youth smokers in Alberta use menthol. “This is about protecting youth,” she said during the news conference. The new measure comes after The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT was successful in teaming up with its partners to challenge the government to enact Bill 206 in 2014. The bill included new laws banning the sale of candy-flavoured tobacco in Alberta, along with smoking in vehicles when children are present. After the bill was enacted, the group of health advocates - including The Lung Association - challenged the government to include menthol tobacco as part of Alberta’s flavoured tobacco ban.

Coal-fired generators account for a large chunk of air pollution across the province, according to Dr. Joe Vipond with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). “As soon as plants close down, we’ll have a commensurate decrease in some of those pollutants,” he said during a news conference during Lung Month in November. The Lung Association celebrated during Lung Month as Alberta’s government announced plans during to phase out all coal-fired power plants within 15 years. Cutting back on emissions is important as it will reduce asthma attacks, along with saving millions of dollars in health care costs with less visits to the hospital, according to Alberta’s government. It will also help Albertans breathe clean air, something that is fully supported by The Lung Association.

BREATHING TOGETHER IN ALBERTA’S CAPITAL There was a lot of heavy breathing happening at the Alberta Legislature Nov. 25 and it had nothing to do with Question Period. The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT and its volunteers offered up free breathing tests to MLA and cabinet ministers as a way to spread awareness about lung health. It was also a chance to meet with government leaders and urge them to do more to help improve support for patients who are battling chronic lung diseases. “We are meeting today to celebrate our joint efforts to eliminate lung disease, along with making pulmonary rehabilitation available for Albertans who are struggling with chronic lung diseases,” said Leigh Allard, President and CEO of The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT. “Improving access to pulmonary rehabilitation will go a long way in helping patients live normal lives.” Christmas Seals cheer from young lung champion

8

AMBASSADOR KYRELL GAYLE IS A LUNG CHAMP Kyrell Gayle, a soccer-loving six-year-old with severe asthma, wants to see an end to his constant visits to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. “I was born with asthma,” said Kyrell, the 2015 Christmas Seals ambassador chosen by The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT. “I wish I had a cure to make me feel better, but there is no cure. If we had a cure, we would be all happy and we wouldn’t be sick - but we don’t have a cure for asthma. Asthma can kill you.”

According

to

his

mother,

Angalie

Gayle,

at

six-months-old, after a number of respiratory infections, the young boy was diagnosed with severe asthma. Now in the first-grade, Kyrell spends a significant amount of time in the hospital to receive care when his symptoms worsen. A simple cold could result in a five to seven-day visit in hospital. Kyrell and his mother helped The Lung Association spread awareness about the Christmas Seals campaign and why it is so important to support research. “Giving to Christmas Seals goes a long way in helping us support those who are suffering from lung illnesses, along with helping fund research that could one day help people like Kyrell,” said Leigh Allard, President and CEO of The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT. Your continued support helped us to help kids just like Kyrell.

9

NEEDED: A HOME FOR LUNG TRANSPLANT PATIENTS IN EDMONTON LOGAN LAKE, B.C. - Kent MacInnes, a 61-year-old resident who lives in this small picturesque town in British Columbia believes he made the right - yet difficult - choice to help protect his family’s financial future. Despite living with congestive heart failure and a fatal lung disease know as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, MacInnes has chosen to pull himself off the wait list for a heart and double-lung transplant - a surgery he desperately needs in Edmonton’s University of Alberta hospital. “If something were to happen after my surgery and I didn’t make it, then I would probably bankrupt my family and leave my wife with nothing,” said MacInnes. Medical costs are covered for the surgeries, even for patients like MacInnes who are from outside Alberta. However, travel and living expenses must be paid for by patients and their families - costs that can be financially crippling for anyone who lives outside a 100-km radius of Edmonton, especially for MacInnes who lives 865 km away from Alberta’s capital city. Patients who need lung transplants - along with their caregivers - are required to stay in Edmonton for months before, during, and after their surgeries so they can be treated immediately if there are complications. Costs for those patients and their caregivers can be a huge financial burden, forcing families to make difficult life-changing decisions. These costs are over and above the costs they leave behind them. Costs - like mortgage payments and vehicle insurance for the home or family they leave behind - continue. Costs normally supported by the caregiver who is now unable to work to support a family member undergoing a transplant.

10

The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT doesn’t want to have any family decide between life and financial security. Our goal is to raise money to build a home for lung transplant patients like MacInnes where they can have a place to call home during their stay in Edmonton. “I would have bankrupted my family,” says MacInnes who believes having a home supported by Lung Association donors - for lung transplant patients would have made a difference for his family. His entire family is supportive of his decision. By sharing his story and shining a spotlight on the need for a home away from home, MacInnes hopes to inspire donors to step up and help The Lung Association build this home so no one ever has to make this most difficult choice. “We would have to give up everything that we have here in order to be able to afford to live in Edmonton,” said MacInnes.

GET INVOLVED There are so many ways supporters can get involved with The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT. Here are a few suggestions: • Go

to our website at www.ab.lung.ca

• Follow • Find

us on Twitter at @lungabnwt

us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lungassociationabnwt

• Write

to us: The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT P.O. Box 4500, Station South Edmonton, Alberta

• Send

us an email at [email protected]

DONATE TODAY! Your support will help us with research, prevention and support for patents patients and their families who are suffering from lung related illnesses. Here are a few ways on how to support lung health in Alberta and the Northwest Territories: Making cheques payable to The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT and drop it off by visiting our office at: The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT 208, 17420 Stony Plain Road NW Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1K6

Donate by calling 780-488-6819 or toll free at 1-888-566-LUNG (5864) Donate online by visiting www.ab.lung.ca/site/donate The Lung Association, Alberta & NWT is a registered charity (BN 13031 8041 RR0001). We automatically provide charitable receipts for any gift of $20 or more. However, upon request, we will provide a receipt for a gift of less than $20.

11

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Tom Watts, CHAIR Kate Hurlburt, PAST CHAIR Paul Borrett, VICE CHAIR Evangeline Berube, TREASURER Chuck Meagher, SECRETARY Richard Shuhany Kimberly Ziprick Stefan Scott Anne Marie Downey Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis, Dr. David Proud Julie Gaalaas

[email protected] 780.488.6819 toll free: 1.888.566.LUNG (5864)