Asthma Walk
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2008 Photo Gallery
Asthma Walk Grows Again; Helps Arizonans Breathe Easier
Valley residents raise funds for asthma research and education
(Phoenix, AZ) – Dr. Andrei Damian, President, Cardiovascular Consultants, Ltd. and Chairman of the American Lung Association’s 2008 Phoenix Asthma Walk is proud to announce that the 2008 event grew by more than 9% this year and continues to be the largest Asthma Walk in the United States. The Phoenix Asthma Walk, held Saturday, April 5th, hosted 3,000 participants and raised $260,000. Teams and individuals have continued to raise money since the event showing their great enthusiasm for breathing easier.
“I was thrilled to see so many participants this year and to have a result that will push asthma education and research forward. It is critical that asthma continues to receive the awareness, attention and resources necessary to help people breathe easier,” said Damian.
Arizona has the 2nd highest asthma rate in the country with more than 600,000 residents calling themselves asthmatic. Asthma is the leading cause of school absenteeism and it costs this country more than $19 billion per year.
The Phoenix Asthma Walk is held every year and raises money for Camp Not-A-Wheeze, the American Lung Association’s summer camp for children with asthma; the American Lung Association’s Asthma Clinical Research Centers which seeks to conduct large clinical trials that will have a direct impact on patient care and asthma treatment; and local education programs such as Open Airways for Schools and Asthma 101. Companies and families alike formed walk teams and raised money to help those who struggle to breathe. At the Walk, team success was celebrated with a 5k walk route, free pancake breakfast, a kids’ corner with clowns and bounce houses, live music provided by Crosstown Traffic and more!
Thank you to 2008 Asthma Walk sponsors for making the event possible: Cardiovascular Consultants, Valley Toyota Dealers, UnitedHealthcare, Arizona Physicians IPA, Discount Tire, Allergy Associates, Mayo Foundation, Scottsdale Healthcare, Pima Medical Institute, Kindred Hospitals, Equiant Financial Services, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Dillard’s, Blue Cross Blue Shield, MidFirst Bank, Areté Sleep Health, ValleyMetro, Air Conditioning by Jay, Phoenix Suns, BHHS Legacy Foundation, The Plaza Companies, Alliance Bank, Quarles and Brady Streich Lang, Sacks Tierney, Strategic Alliance Marketing, Clean Energy, Sonoran Allergy and Asthma Center, Arizona Asthma and Immunology, Sepracor, FOX10, Safeway and MIX 96.9.
Save the date for Saturday, April 4, 2009 to join us in making a difference to those who treasure what so many of us take for granted – the ability to breathe.
For more information, go to www.phoenixasthmawalk.org or contact Stacey Mortenson at smortenson@lungarizona.org or call 602.258.7505.
