Dear Friend,

In what feels like a very short time since we were last in contact, quite a bit has happened. Only days after our last newsletter, our State went into a rapid lockdown which threw many people into a tailspin. Nevertheless, it was heart-warming to see our community pull together to come out of it quickly and resume a relatively normal life again.

The media has been flooded with COVID-19 stories, foreign conflicts and politics, which may have you asking “what is happening to our world” and forget some of the wonderful things around us. So today, as I share this newsletter with you, I hope you can take a moment to reflect on the goodness that exists, close to home and abroad.

We have some important updates on medications and asthma best practices, COVID-19 vaccinations and some tips to improving breathlessness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), celebrating our diversity and ideas on keeping ourselves entertained.

I hope you enjoy the read and if you or someone you know has questions about their asthma or COPD our Respiratory Health Team is just a phone call away. Thank you for your continued support and I wish you a healthy and happy day!

Warmest wishes,

Donna Rendell
Chief Executive Officer
Asthma WA

COVID-19 Vaccine Q&A

With the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination underway, we asked respiratory physician and member of the Asthma WA’s Clinical Advisory group A/Prof John Blakey to answer some frequently asked questions.

Read the Q&A

Respimat for Spiriva and Siolto update

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) recently updated the listing of Respimat for Spiriva® and Siolto® that will have a significant impact on people with asthma and COPD as well as the environment.

Whilst the medication is unchanged, the newly designed inhaler device can now be reused for up to six refill cartridges before needing to be replaced.

“This is a win for the environment as well as anyone prescribed this medication. Instead of replacing the inhaler device every month, this could be reduced to twice a year” said Asthma WA CEO Donna Rendell.

Manufacturer Boehringer-Ingelheim has also enhanced the design for better handling including an improved grip, easier loading of cartridges and a larger, more visible dose counter.

Over the coming months, the original disposable Respimat inhaler will be phased out and replaced with a reusable device.

Correct device technique is essential to get the correct dosage of medication and should be checked annually to ensure you haven’t developed any bad habits. Speak with our Respiratory Health Nurses or Educators by calling (08) 9289 3600 for more information or ask your pharmacists or doctor.

COPD and breathlessness

Asthma WA also provides free education and support for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is an umbrella term for a group of progressive lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The condition affects more than 46,000 Western Australians, with approximately 20% of this group also having asthma.

Breathlessness can be a difficult symptom of COPD, affecting our thoughts, how we breathe and how we go about our daily activities. Our Clinical Nurse Educator, Kate has put together some tips for managing breathlessness below, however, you can also visit our website or call our Respiratory Health Team on (08) 9289 3600 to learn more about this chronic lung condition.

Read about COPD and breathlessness

RazzaMaTazz

For the past 20 years, Lions Club International has been running their RazzMaTazz event in support of disadvantaged children. International standard performers skilfully entertain and awe attendees through a range of traditional disciplines of clowning, juggling, balancing, puppetry, acrobatics and unique comedy.

Lions Club International has been supporting Asthma WA for many years and so we were thrilled when once again we were a recipient of their hard work.

Thank you to District Governor Rob Meney who hand-delivered their donation last week. We are so grateful for your continued support and the wonderful work you do to support the wider community.

Australian Asthma Handbook Update

Published by the National Asthma Council, the Australian Asthma Handbook is the ‘go-to’ guide for doctors, nurses and anyone else involved in the diagnosis and management of asthma, based on the latest research and evidence.

In the latest update, there have been some changes around medications and treatments for mild, moderate and severe asthma. The guidelines for lung function testing and thunderstorm asthma have also been updated. Asthma Australia has developed a quick reference guide below or call our Respiratory Health Team on (08) 9289 3600 for more information about the guidelines, medications or your current treatment plan.

Hoping for Harmony

It’s Harmony Week next week. This is a time when as a community, we come together to celebrate our differences and contributions to the world, and share our traditions, food and friendship. In a time when a global pandemic still wreaks havoc across the globe, Harmony Week offers us an opportunity to reconnect and discover a deeper appreciation for our peers, even if from afar.

If you’ve read some of our recent newsletters, you may have noticed we enjoy our food here at Asthma WA – almost as much as we enjoy the work we do! And you’d be right if you guessed we had another tasty recipe to share with you.

Shared by our General Manager - Health Services, Jenny, this is a very special recipe handed down through her family over many years. Her Aunty Arlene gave her the secrets to making this mild Burmese curry over 20 years ago and Jenny still regularly refers to her original notes.

These fond memories are weighted by the conflict unravelling in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and our thoughts are with those affected there and here in Australia. We hope this recipe can bring some brightness to your day as we remember some of the great people and traditions that make our lives better.

Get the Recipe

Win a Gin Gin Gin

Sign up to become a monthly giver before World Asthma Day (5pm on Tuesday 4th May 2021) and you will go into the draw to win a bottle of Gin Gin Gin*, the original Wise Wine Distillery Gin, kindly donated by Wise Wines.

Monthly giving allows you to spread your donation across the year, with less impact on your finances, plus it’s easy to set up and you will receive one simple receipt at the end of the financial year.

From $5 to $25 a month, every dollar helps Asthma WA to continue providing free education and support to people with respiratory conditions. Become a monthly giver today and you will be helping Western Australians breathe better, now and in the future.

Click the button below or for more information on becoming a monthly giver, call our Community Engagement team on (08) 9289 3600.

Become a monthly giver

*Terms and conditions apply. Click here to view.

Even more perks with Entertainment

The Entertainment Book has gone 100% digital – with thousands of great discount vouchers, experiences and new offers available from your phone.

With school holidays and Easter around the corner, now’s the time to purchase your Entertainment Membership and start supporting local WA businesses. Plus, by selecting Asthma WA as your preferred charity, Entertainment donates 20% of the purchase price to Asthma WA.

Memberships purchased by 15th of April 2021 you will also receive a BONUS $10 or $20 eGift Card*. Winning!

Order your membership now

Easter Amusements

Looking for some fun activities to amuse the kids this Easter, beyond the traditional Easter egg hunt? Check out the list of fun games that one of our team came across - the first one could get really messy…actually quite a few of them could!

Find out more

Asthma WA Shop

Did you know Asthma WA has a shop you can visit in West Perth or online? From spacers and masks, to dust mite bedding and action (emergency) kits, we have a range of products suitable for individuals, schools and community groups. Check out our range today. Prices are competitive, and by purchasing through the Asthma WA Shop you will also be helping Western Australians living with asthma and COPD.

Visit the Asthma WA Shop

Harmony Week – 15th – 21st of March
Port to Pub Swim – Saturday 20th of March
Good Friday – Friday 2nd of April
Easter Sunday – Sunday 4th of April
Easter Monday – Monday 5th of April
World Asthma Day – Tuesday 4th of May

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