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Dear Friend,
I can’t believe it’s November already, but when I stop and think back over the year, I am so inspired by the many people I have met and what our small team have been able to achieve.
While the pandemic has continued to test us all, I am grateful for the compassion and determination of our team and thankful for the continued support we receive from our funders, donors and Western Australia community. It is because of their continued belief and confidence in what we do that we have been able to continue our services with minimal disruption.
The last couple of months have been particularly busy for our team, with the opening of a new lung function testing service and the launching of our very first Wheezy Walk event. It is through these initiatives that we aim to really shine a light on asthma and COPD and reduce the gaps in services that help people to live well and stay out of hospital. Through all of this work, I am also proud to announce that our whole team is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
We have so much to share with you today, I hope you enjoy the read, but before I sign off, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and would like to wish you all the very best for what remains of 2021.
Wishing you all the very best in health and happiness,
Donna Rendell
Chief Executive Officer
Asthma WA
P.S. As we head into the festive season, now is a good time to check you are managing your asthma and/or COPD as best possible. Give our team a call on (08) 9289 3600 to book your free consultation so you can have a fun and safe Christmas.
New lung function testing service
Lung function testing includes a number of tests to measure and assess the performance of a person’s lungs. In asthma, these tests play an important role in painting a more detailed picture of how a person’s lungs are functioning to then determine if their treatment and management plan are optimal. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), these tests, particularly spirometry, are key in forming an accurate diagnosis of COPD.
Lung function testing can be very expensive to access so in September we were proud to launch our very own bulk-billed service from our offices in West Perth. Working with our Senior Respiratory Scientist and a Respiratory Specialist, people are able to access timely detailed reports along with education, support and treatment plans, enabling them to manage their respiratory health better.
Appointments to this service can be made via our website or by calling our team on (08) 9289 3600.
Thank you to Stewart & Heaton for supplying our team with new scrubs, and to Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Niche Medical and Alcoa’s PEACH program for sponsoring the essential equipment to make this service possible.
Preventing underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of COPD
Undiagnosed and misdiagnosed COPD is a problem worldwide that can have serious consequences for people experiencing respiratory symptoms. Living with undiagnosed COPD may negatively affect a person’s quality of life, limit accessibility to support for quitting smoking and increase the number of preventable exacerbations they experience which ultimately may lead to disease progression.
On the other hand, being incorrectly diagnosed with COPD can affect a person’s pyschosocial wellbeing and may also lead to a person paying for inappropriate medications and mask the underlying cause of their symptoms which then go undetected and untreated.
Lung function testing is essential in confirming a diagnosis of COPD. Our Respiratory Health Educator and Senior Respiratory Scientist, Charlene, explains how this test can give a person the clarity and confidence to manage their COPD better.
SITT Up, take notice
For people with asthma and COPD, the world of inhalers seems to get increasingly complicated. Adding another medicine may mean learning a new inhaler technique, and usually means having to spend more money at the pharmacy. However, things have been changing recently with more manufacturers bringing out single inhaler triple therapies (SITT).
Wheezy Walk makes every breath count
From 1st October, we launched Asthma WA’s very first Wheezy Walk. Over 29 days 99 incredible people took over 14 million steps to raise awareness of asthma in Western Australia. Each person had their own unique reason for participating, and as they shared their stories, they also raised over $41,000 that will make an enormous difference to the lives of people with asthma and the work we do at Asthma WA.
Thank you to everyone who made this such a great success. Thank you to our participants for your determination in making every breath and step count. Thank you to those who sponsored a participant or donated to the event and made every dollar count. And thank you to our Matched Giving Partner, Pindari WA, who matched $5,000 in donations in the final days of the campaign, and to 100 St Georges Terrace for hosting us on the 29th day as we celebrated and walked our final steps.
This was a wonderful way to connect with the community and shine a light on asthma and we look forward to making this even bigger and better next year.
Join our Consumer Advisory e-Network
Your voice matters and can help develop new services and resources to support those with respiratory conditions.
If you are someone who has asthma, COPD or another respiratory condition, cares for someone with asthma such as a parent, partner, family member or friend then we want to know what you have to say.
The Consumer Advisory e-Network will be engaged primarily by email, so you can participate at whatever time suits you best and can either be very active or only respond to those items you are more passionate about. We are aiming for a variety of people with different experiences, severities, conditions, ethnicities, genders, ages and regionality – so please invite others to join too.
Interested? Simply complete the short questionnaire below to help us understand more about you and your reasons for wanting to get involved.
Meet Jean Jack
"When I first met Jean Jack*, a soccer-loving 15-year-old, his undiagnosed asthma had almost cost him his life."
- Kate, Clinical Nurse Educator at Asthma WA
Jean Jack had felt breathless and tired, but he thought it was normal and he was just unfit. It took an emergency situation for him to realise how serious it really was.
Our Respiratory Health Nurses and Educators help families every day to better manage their asthma, and one of the ways that can really help us all to understand what is going on under the surface is through lung function testing.
Read how we helped Jean Jack and how you can help too.
*photos not of Jean Jack for privacy
Do you know how your estate will be distributed?
There is an infinite number of ways to distribute your assets in your will. The limitless options can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
We recommend discussing your options with a lawyer and your family to decide what you want, and how to make sure your will reflects it.
Our probono legal partner, Lavan, can assist.
Reception at Government House
Our Patron, the Governor of Western Australia, the Honourable Kim Beazley AC generously hosted a supporter reception for Asthma WA at Government House in September to celebrate the one year anniversary of our Paediatric Respiratory Hub.
Guests included donors, sponsors, health industry associates, our Board and people who have expressed a keen interest in the Paediatric Respiratory Hub. We’re so fortunate to have such a supportive and esteemed Patron of Asthma WA and we thank the Governor for his generous hospitality.
It was a pleasure to see everyone there and a wonderful opportunity for our CEO, Donna Rendell and our Board to meet many of you to thank you for your support and update you on the impact of this vital service.
Telethon Family Festival 2021
We were thrilled to attend the Telethon7 Family Festival recently as a beneficiary of funding from Channel 7 Telethon Trust and be a part of a record-breaking fundraising event for WA children services. This was the second year the event has been held at Optus Stadium and it was fantastic to see so many children and families out and about enjoying the many displays and activities on offer.
Our team, including Puff, enjoyed connecting with people from the community to talk about asthma and the work we are doing to provide support and education to people impacted by this respiratory condition.
Asthma WA is grateful for the support of Channel 7 Telethon Trust for funding our Paediatric Respiratory Hub.
Thank you also to Bunnings Warehouse and Adventure World for donating some great prize giveaways on the day.
Meet Sarah
“I like being able to make a real difference, not only to people with asthma and COPD, but more broadly, to help people in Western Australia.” – Sarah, Chief Finance Officer
It takes an array of skills and experience to keep an organisation like Asthma WA going, including a number of critical roles working behind the scenes. One of those people is our Chief Finance Officer, Sarah who has been with our organisation for more than 13 years.
We sat down with Sarah to find out what inspires her most about working at Asthma WA, her most memorable moments, and how she likes to spend her time away from the office.
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.
Leave a legacy
By leaving a gift in your Will to Asthma WA, you will be helping generations to come, ensuring we are able to continue providing free education and support to Western Australians with respiratory illnesses.
A bequest could help fund vital projects including:
- Ensuring our Paediatric Respiratory Hub can keep providing the life-changing assessment, diagnosis and tailored education for young children with asthma and other respiratory conditions
- The expansion of Asthma WA’s free education and support programs
- The sustainability of our free services for all Western Australians in person or remotely
- Investment in relevant technology to reach people across the state of Western Australia
If you would like to talk in person and in confidence about Wills in general, please get in touch with our Bequest Team by calling (08) 9289 3600 or emailing bequest@asthmawa.org.au.
For more information about leaving a gift in your Will or to speak to our probono legal partner, Lavan, visit our website.
- 7-14 November – Seniors Week
- 10 November – Have a Go Day
- 11 November – Remembrance Day
- 17 November – World COPD Day
- 5 December – International Volunteer Day
- 17 December – School holidays begin
- Midday 23 December to 7 January 2022 – Asthma WA offices closed
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Boxing Day
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
You are receiving this email as a previous supporter of Asthma WA.
