Only days left for Achievers’ Awards nominations

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (Inc)

Media Statement

3 September, 2007

Only days left for Achievers’ Awards nominations

People only have days left to get in their nominations for the Asthma and Respiratory Achievers’ Awards to be held at Government House, Wellington, in late November.

The awards, which are held every two years, recognize people with diagnosed respiratory illnesses such as asthma who live full and rewarding lives.

“The great thing is that everyone who is nominated is acknowledged,” says Asthma and Respiratory Executive Director, Jane Patterson.

A select group of eight nominees, the Supreme Achievers, will be brought to Wellington to receive their awards from the Governor-General, His Excellency the Hon Anand Satyanand.

“The nominees could be one of the 800, 000 New Zealanders who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or other respiratory illnesses,” Jane says.

“With the supreme achievers we’re looking for remarkable people doing their best to manage a respiratory condition, rather than letting their condition manage them.”

Last time’s supreme achievers included six-year-old Caleb McIntosh, who played rugby in a school team. Caleb was well known for his good nature, trying hard at his work, and having fun with his friends in the playground. Caleb has asthma, anaphylaxis and eczema. He cannot even sit beside children with dairy foods, eggs, nuts, or fish at lunch.

Another nominee, Deirdre Lack, was absolutely passionate about her family, her community, her sport and her career. Deirdre, who has asthma, was a New Zealand representative age group triathlete. She trains seven days a week and at the same time helps her partner run a small farm. In addition, she is a serving police sergeant.

A SPARC Supreme Achievers’ Award will be awarded to honour two nominees who recognise the importance of physical activity in the management of their respiratory illness.

The Foundation also considers that it is important to offer Māori categories as well as general categories for the awards. Statistics show that while Māori have the same rates of asthma as non-Māori, the occurrence of severe asthma is much higher.

People interested in nominating someone special for an award can call the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation on 499 4592 or visit: www.asthmafoundation.org.nz.

Nominees need to be smokefree, have a diagnosed respiratory condition and use a management plan for their respiratory illness (or be willing to).

ENDS

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