Lung diseases like asthma are a serious public health issue in New York City. On average, one in four New Yorkers will be diagnosed with some form of lung disease during their lifetime. In New York City, the leading cancer killer is lung cancer, and influenza and pneumonia are the third leading cause of death overall. Additionally, the city suffers from an asthma epidemic with more than one million adults and children in the five boroughs struggling to breathe with this chronic lung disease. There is no cure for asthma, but with proper treatment and resources people can manage their asthma and lead healthy, active lives.
Dan Gospin, a New Yorker and life-long asthma sufferer, is an example of why the Association organizes the walk. He says, "I am a skier, an actor, a friend, a husband, a sibling, a theatre-goer, a runner, a traveler, and a person with asthma who has survived thirty years of uncertainty to live a 'normal' life, one that enables me to stand here and hopefully motivate us all to continue the fight for a healthier, more conscientious country that encourages people with asthma to take control of their lives and their disease."
"Stories like Dan's are an inspiration to people with asthma," says Louise Vetter, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the City of New York. "However, there is still much more progress to be made. By raising awareness and funds at the BREATHE NYC: Asthma Walk 2008, we can continue to make new breakthroughs in treatments, cures and care in the fight against lung disease."
In the fifth year of the BREATHE NYC: Asthma Walk 2008, there are four sponsors bringing their full support behind this event including 1199 SEIU Benefit & Pension Funds, NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation, MetroPlus Health Plan, and Teva Specialty Pharmaceuticals. By donating funds and fielding their own teams of walkers, they are truly demonstrating flagship leadership in the fight against asthma and lung disease. They will join media sponsors WABC-TV and 98.7 Kiss FM radio to lead the BREATHE NYC: Asthma Walk 2008. The walk would not be possible without the support of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Gourmet Garage, the exclusive refreshments provider at the walk for the first year.
Registration for the BREATHE NYC: Asthma Walk 2008 begins at 8:30 AM on Saturday, May 31st, 2008 and the walk will start at 10:00AM. The walk will follow a three-mile route along the Battery Park City promenade. For more information or to register, visit www.alany.org or call (212) 889-3370.
BREATHE NYC: Asthma Walk 2008 is sponsored by Capital One Bank
