Prime Minster visits Asthma Foundation

19 February 2014

From 500 to 65,000 resources per year, Prime Minister learns how the level of support by the Asthma Foundation has risen

The Asthma Foundation was honoured to have the Prime Minister drop by to offer his congratulations on their 50th Anniversary. The team at the Foundation took this opportunity to showcase the excellent resources available today and to update the Prime Minister on just what it means to have a respiratory condition in New Zealand. The aims of the Foundation have changed little from 50 years ago – to alleviate suffering and spread knowledge.

Nearly 50 years ago there were no respiratory resources for the lay person; if you wanted to learn more about asthma you had to go to your GP. In 1969 five hundred copies of the journal Timohu were distributed as the first educational resource.

In 2013 more than 65,000 pamphlets, posters, newsletters and resources were sent to societies, hospitals, doctor surgeries, Whanau Ora providers and other health care providers. "Education is the key to prevention and resources can help to provide that education. These resources include management plans which all patients with asthma should have; we provide these free to all organisations and they can now be ordered online through our websitewww.asthmafoundation.org.nz " said Teresa Demetriou, national education services manager for the Foundation.

50th Anniversary - Asthma Foundation
• A 50th anniversary dinner will be held at Government House on the 13th March hosted by our Patron, The Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae.
• The Asthma Foundation Achievers' Awards will be awarded during the evening.
• A commemorative book titled 'A breath of hope' has been commissioned which outlines the history of the last 50 years.

About the Asthma Foundation
The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses. We advocate to government and raise awareness of respiratory illnesses, fund research for better treatments and educate on best practice. We provide resources on our website and support our affiliated asthma societies and trusts in providing education, support and advice. For more information, visit the Asthma Foundation’s website www.asthmafoundation.org.nz.

ENDS

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