Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to Launch
the Great American Asthma Challenge
First-Ever National Grassroots Movement to End Asthma Deaths in the United States

WASHINGTON, DC, APRIL 28, 2010 – Every day 10 people die from asthma. Most healthcare providers agree that these deaths are preventable. Patient education, access to care and a healthy lifestyle are proven methods that lead to less severe asthma symptoms, fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, fewer missed days of school and work – and fewer deaths. Read the rest of this entry »

NFL Linebacker Chris Draft joins Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to kick off the Great American Asthma Challenge on May 5 at the 13^th annual Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill.

Chris Draft doesn’t let asthma stop him. During a football game in college, he remembers lying on the field gasping for breath, wondering if his football days were over. But he learned how to manage his symptoms and take care of himself, drawing on the proactive, can-do attitude his family instilled in him when he was growing up.

In 2007 he founded the Chris Draft Family Foundation, an organization that educates families about healthy lifestyles and good character, partnering with school districts, local and national health organizations and nonprofit organizations. The foundation’s Asthma Team™ is a support network that seeks to educate and uplift people and families dealing with asthma.

Hear Chris talk about how education and a take-charge approach can empower families to tackle asthma and lead healthy, active lives. He’s our keynote speaker at our Congressional & Press Breakfast Briefing. He’ll also be a special guest at our Asthma & Allergy Health Fair and Free Asthma Screening after the briefing.

Here’s how you can be a part of it all:

Be there! Attend Asthma Awareness Day Capitol Hill! It’s in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 5. There are two events that day — the Congressional and Press Breakfast Briefing, and the Asthma & Allergy Health Fair and Free Screenings. E-mail editor@aanma.org for more details about how to attend.

MAY 5

Congressional and Press Breakfast Briefing

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Gold Room

Rayburn House Office Building

Keynote Speaker: Chris Draft, NFL, The Chris Draft Family Foundation

Members of Congress:
Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX)
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI)
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-NY)
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)
Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL)

Asthma & Allergy Health Fair and FREE Screenings
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Rayburn Foyer

Be there in spirit! What if you live clear across the country from Capitol Hill, can’t get out of work, have little ones to take care of or simply can’t make it May 5?

-You can still get in on the celebration! We will be recording the inspirational words of our speakers for an upcoming AADCH 2010 podcast series, which will be available in the Podcasts section of www.aanma.org.

-Call or e-mail your government representatives and encourage them to be there for AADCH and the Great American Asthma Challenge!

Click here for members of the House of Representatives.
Click here for members of the Senate.

-You can also support AANMA’s advocacy efforts with a donation.

-No matter where you live or whether you attend AADCH 2010,

May 5 is the kickoff day for the Great American Asthma Challenge! Go to www.aanma.org/thegaac or e-mail editor@aanma.org — we’ll send you a reminder e-mail on May 5 to sign on and take the first step of the Challenge!

AANMA has an immediate need for volunteer leaders in these three cities to help us bring an exciting new outreach project into your community: Real Strategies for Living and Breathing the NIH Guidelines, Read the rest of this entry »

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that seven more metered dose inhalers (MDIs) containing ozone-depleting propellants will be phased out. 

Four of the medications have already been discontinued: Tilade, Intal, Azmacort and Alupent; and two of the remaining three have a small market share: Aerobid and MaxAir. Combivent is used by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and by some patients who have both COPD and asthma. 

The phase-out dates for each of these can be read here: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm208302.htm. [^] 

We expect that an Aerobid HFA replacement will be approved prior to its phase-out. We expect the same for Combivent. 

Visit our website, http://www.aanma.org, for more news and updates from AANMA. Thank you.

On May 5, 2010, AANMA will unveil the Great American Asthma Challenge, the FIRST EVER national GRASSROOTS campaign destined to forever change asthma care in America! Read the rest of this entry »

When 10-year-old Andye came to play with my daughter Alanna, I would always limit their time in the basement – not just because that’s where the TV was, but also because Andye was allergic to our cats. These calico beauties scattered their dander throughout the house, but I knew it collected heavily in the carpeted, windowless room downstairs. Read the rest of this entry »