Where to begin? We have so much to share with you

Dear Friend,

A lot has been happening at Asthma WA over recent months, with the development of our Asthma Alert pilot project, reviewing new asthma data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, participating in the Telethon Weekend and so much more.

I am excited to share with you some of our latest news including the introduction of a new team member and a story about a little boy who is managing his asthma in regional Western Australia.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Donna Rendell
Chief Executive Officer, Asthma WA

Asthma Mortality Statistics

389 people in Australia lost their lives last year due to asthma, 19 in WA.

New data from Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that across the country, asthma-related deaths have declined, but we fear the number is still far too high with many cases preventable.

Our CEO, Donna Rendell says “while we are encouraged to see a reduction in asthma-related deaths, particularly here in WA, emergency department attendances and hospitalisations are increasing year on year. It is important we remain vigilant and not be complacent about the risks”.

Read more about the latest statistics here.

Recently we released a survey to ask people who have asthma or other respiratory conditions if and how they may be affected by smoke events. Participants shared their personal experiences giving us great insight into what matters most to them and how the Asthma Alert pilot program could support them more. Here are just a few of the findings:

More than 60% of respondents confirmed they had to stay indoors in order to reduce exposure to smoke.
Three out of four people said they used their preventer on a daily basis.
Almost 60% of respondents experienced direct financial costs due to additional medicines and greater use of reliever medication and equipment.

Asthma WA continues to work with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife, Bureau of Meteorology and Department of Health to develop the Asthma Alert pilot program and look forward to launching the service in early 2020. Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on the progress of this exciting project.

Meet Hamish

Here in WA, one in 10 children have asthma. Children like four year old Hamish.

Adventurous, cheeky and full of fun, Hamish looks like any other outback farm kid. He loves being with his dad on the tractor, playing with his mates at school, and racing around the yard on his scooter. But everything Hamish loves is also a potential deadly trigger. Because just like his dad, Hamish suffers from severe asthma.

When Hamish had his first asthma attack they were 30km from the nearest hospital and 100km from specialist care.

After three days and two nights in hospital, Hamish’s family embarked on a journey to understand and learn to manage this new condition.

Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve been able to support and educate Hamish’s family, ensuring he has a personalised asthma action plan in place to keep him safe wherever he is - on the long school bus ride by himself, while at school, with friends or at home during harvest time.

Asthma remains a serious disease which can flare up at any time without notice. This Christmas, we need to raise $28,000 to support children like Hamish and their families. Please consider giving a different kind of gift this year, one of education and support that might save a young child’s life!

Donate to Asthma WA

Read Hamish's story

Vaping – it’s not all that it seems

Vaping - it was originally created to give smokers a cleaner alternative to nicotine. Yet the range of flavours and styles of the devices have been appealing to younger people who may never have smoked a cigarette before.

While vaping or e-cigarettes are promoted as having less toxins than conventional cigarettes, we are uncertain of the long-term health implications of using them or how they may affect people with asthma.

"The use of e-cigarettes is increasingly associated with lung disease and there is insufficient evidence to suggest that they are effective in assisting people to quit smoking. As a respiratory physician, I do not advocate the use of e-cigarettes at all" says Dr Li Ping Chung, Clinical Lead - Severe Airways Clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Asthma WA does not recommend vaping or e-cigarettes. People with asthma should always avoid inhaling anything into your lungs that could be harmful, as it could make your asthma worse.

We encourage all current smokers to reach out for support to quit smoking; speak to your doctor, pharmacist or call the Quit Line 13QUIT.

Working with Wandoo

Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison is the first of its kind in WA; established as a dedicated alcohol and other drug (AOD) rehabilitation prison for women in custody. Providing a supportive environment, the women receive multi-disciplinary case management with the aim to reduce addiction, improve mental and physical health and create positive, lasting change.

Wandoo invites Asthma WA to their Health Expos, held bi-annually, along with other health organisations so the women may access services relevant to their health and rehabilitation. Our Respiratory Health Educators, Mel and Yvonne, regularly attend these Health Expos in addition to visiting the centre at other times to provide comprehensive asthma education, as we recognised the great need for asthma education and support within this community.

Research has shown the prevalence of asthma amongst Indigenous Australians is nearly twice as high as non-indigenous Australians. With a high percentage of women at Wandoo identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the health expos provide a great opportunity for us to engage with them and provide the support they need to better manage their asthma.

“We are very grateful to Asthma WA for continually coming to the assistance of the residents of the Metropolitan Women’s Prisons by holding education sessions for both staff and prisoners. The empowering of our women to be responsible for their own health through consistent education, advice and support is vital to enable them to maintain not only their own good health but to pass these skills on to family and friends.” – representative of Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison

Telethon Weekend 2019

We were delighted to again be a part of the Beneficiaries Expo for Telethon Weekend 2019, showcasing the important work our organisation does in the West Australian community. Channel 7 Telethon Trust supports our Activ8 for Asthma Sports Program; an online course designed for people working with children in sports; giving them the skills, knowledge and confidence to better support children and young people with asthma to participate to their fullest.

Throughout the weekend, our Asthma WA staff and volunteers talked with attendees about their asthma, the services available to assist them and how they can keep active. Many children had a ball dressing up as a sportsperson of their choice and having their photo taken with our lovable mascot, Puff the Asthma Dragon.

We are thankful for the ongoing support from Channel 7 Telethon Trust, and to Swan Districts and Perth Football Club for their generation donations on the day.

Welcoming Kate to the family

Just this week we have been thrilled to welcome Kate to our team, taking on a newly developed role of McCusker Nurse/Clinical Educator.

Kate has extensive background in respiratory health education and is passionate about asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She will be working with our consumers with complex needs, providing education clinics in metro and regional areas through our telehealth service as well as focusing on our health professional education and upskilling.

We are extremely grateful to the McCusker Charitable Foundation, who have funded this position, recognising the positive impact it will have on the WA community.

If you would like to speak to us about respiratory education or make an appointment, please contact us on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462).

We have been so lucky to receive generous support from a number of people and organisations over recent months. These donations make an enormous difference to the important work we do in the WA community. Thank you to:

HBF for their donation of $10,000 that will directly support our Schools program,
Lotterywest, Department of Communities and COTA WA (Council of the Ageing WA) for supporting our partnership with Loftus Community Centre for our Senior’s Week Healthy Lungs program,
Aqwest in Bunbury for raising funds through a free dress day and morning tea.

Dates for your calendar

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day, 20 November
Asthma WA office, closed from 24 December, returning 6 January 2020
Rottnest Channel Swim, 22 February 2020