After struggling to cope with her own daughter’s severe asthma and allergies, AANMA President Nancy Sander founded the organization in 1985. Today, AANMA reaches families around the country with medical news, support, and practical strategies for overcoming asthma and allergies. Nearly 70 Outreach Service Coordinator volunteers carry out AANMA’s mission on a local level in more than 20 states nationwide.

The organization offers monthly award-winning publications as well as discounts on educational books, videos, and medical devices. In 2001, AANMA launched an innovative new Web site at www.aanma.org featuring Breatherville, USA™, an online town where learning about allergies and asthma is a positive experience. Bilingual staff members answer AANMA’s toll-free help line Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time (800-878-4403).

Called upon by members of Congress as an advisor, AANMA hosts an annual Asthma Awareness Day on Capitol Hill event each May to educate the nation’s lawmakers about this chronic condition and raise awareness of the issues affecting people with asthma. The organization also works with medical professional organizations and the pharmaceutical industry on behalf of patients.

AANMA helps people with allergies and asthma breathe easier by:

• delivering timely, accurate, and practical information to consumers and physicians



• increasing patient and public awareness through educational resources



• linking patients and families to decision makers within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, schools, and government



• serving as a vehicle for improving patient access to specialty care



• conducting and stimulating research on behalf of patients and their families



• encouraging the support of scientific research related to the causes and cures of asthma