your health — fall & winter 2012

and the air you breathe

Fa l l & W i n t e r 2 0 1 2

Researchers we’re proud to support p.10

Celebrating TREK veterans p.6

Introducing Tobbacco-Free Tuesdays p.11

Your HealthFall & Winter 2012

British Columbia Lung Association 2675 Oak Street Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

Tel: 604-731-5864

Toll-free: 1-800-665-5864

Fax: 604-731-5810

[email protected]

www.bc.lung.ca

StaffPresident & CEO: Scott McDonald

Editor: Katrina van Bylandt

Contributing Writer/Editors:

Emily Wall

Liz Sauvé

Layout & Design: Matthew Shettler

Medical advisory Committee:Dr. Robert Schellenberg, UBC Pulmonary Research Lab,

St. Paul’s Hospital (Chair)

Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer,

Vancouver Coastal Health

Dr. Richard J. Finley, UBC Department of Surgery

Dr. J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. John Fleetham, UBC Respiratory Medicine, VGH

Dr. Shannon Tania Waters, Medical Services Branch,

Health Canada

Dr. Darlene Reid, Div. Of Physical Therapy, UBC

Dr. Jeremy Road, UBC Respiratory Division, VHSSC

Dr. David Speert, BC Research Centre

executive Committee:Dr. Peter Paré, Chair

Mr. Ash Dhanani, Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Kevin Elwood, Honourary Treasurer

Mr. Dan Boudreault, Director

Mr. Gary Chapple, Director

Mr. Mike Ellis, Director

Dr. Kevin Elwood, Director

Mr. Richie Gage, Director

Mr. Doug Hill, Director

Mrs. Marilyn Lawrence, Director

Mr. Scott Marshall, Director

Mr. Keith Murray, Director

Dr. Robert Schellenberg, Director

Please join the generations of British Columbians who

celebrate their health and happiness year in and year out with

an important donation to Lung Association Christmas seals.®

Today, the Lung Association fights a bigger battle than ever before. From important research on lung cancer and asthma to the fight against the dangerous poisons in air pollution and secondhand smoke, the Lung Association’s crucial mission is still largely supported by Christmas Seals.

Each Year, thousands observe the tradition of sealing holiday cards and packages with that year’s special seal. And each year, your Christmas Seals donation supports the important fight against lung disease being waged every day by the Lung Association.

Help stamp out lung disease.1-800-665-lung • www.bc.lung.ca

bc.lung.ca 3

Important Dates

November 2012 Lung Cancer

Awareness Month

November 14, 2012 World COPD Day

(Chronic Obstructive

Pulmonary Disease)

January 20-26, 2013 National Non-Smoking

Week

February 19-20, 2013 Air Quality & Health

Workshop, Vancouver

February 28-30, 2013 Conference: The Union,

North America Region (International

Union Against TB & Lung Disease),

Vancouver

March 3, 2013

Climb the Wall: The Stairclimb for

Clean Air, Vancouver

March 5-11, 2013 National Sleep

Awareness Week

March 24, 2013

World Tuberculosis Day

Celebrating a Lifetime of Community Service

Kelly Ablog-Morrant, BC Lung

Association Health Education Director,

has been steadfast in her commitment

to promoting lung health for 30

years. In tribute to her life of service,

Kelly received the Queen Elizabeth II

Diamond Jubilee Medal in September

2012. Recipients also included long-time

Association director Richie Gage and

volunteer Johnny van Tol.

Arm yourself to fight the flu this season

Anyone can get the flu, but some

people are at greater risk for serious

flu-related complications, like

pneumonia, particularly adults 65 years

and older. This is because the body’s

ability to fight illness drops as you age.

We suggest those over 65 years of age

also get a pneumonia shot.

High risk groupsEveryone should get the shot,

but especially:

• Seniors 65 years or older

• Children under five

• People with chronic conditions

• Residents of care homes

• Pregnant women

• Individuals of aboriginal ancestry

• People who are severely overweight

• Care-givers and health-care givers

Over a normal flu season, one in 10 adults and one in 3 children will come down with the flu.

Everyonesixmonthsandolderisrecommendedtogetafluvaccine.Afluvaccineoffersthebestdefenseavailabletoprotectagainstflu.

In addition to getting your flu vaccine, stay healthy by taking the following steps:

• Wash your hands properly, and often. Twenty seconds of hand

washing with warm water and soaps

helps remove bacteria and viruses.

• Cover up when you cough or sneeze. If a tissue is not available,

raise your arm up to your face to

cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

If you use a tissue, dispose of it and

wash your hands immediately.

• Keep shared surfaces clean

like doorknobs, light switches, and

telephones as bacteria can live up to

two days on hard surfacexs.

• and, if you get sick, please stay at home so that you do not spread

your illness to others.

Flu by the numbers

• 3 million to 7.5 million Estimated number of Canadians who

get the flu each year

• 6 to 10 Typical number of days it takes people to get over the flu.

• 2,000 to 8,000 Number of Canadians who die of flu or

flu-related complications each year.

Kelly Ablog-Morrant with Association CEO Scott McDonald.

Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth Leonardis gives BC Lung Association Volunteer Director

Muff Hackett of Squamish her annual flu shot.

To get your flu shot, see your doctor, pharmacist or visit the

BC Flu Shot Clinic Locator at health.gov.bc/flu

Could the governmentdo more toprotectusfromharmsoftobaccouse?

TheBCLungAssociation’s6thAnnualBCState

oftheAirReportunitesexpertsonairquality

andhealthtoprovideasnapshotofkeypollutant

levelsandareasofconcerninBC.Inthe2012,for

example,newfindingsontheimpactoftraffic

pollutionandhealthareaddressed.

“Powerfullinksbetweenairpollutionandillness

havebeenscientificallyestablished,”saidDr.

MennBiagtan,BCLungAssociationProgram

Manager.“Itisbecomingclearerthatthosewho

growupandliveinproximitytohigh-trafficareas

overlongperiodsoftimesufferallkindsofhealth

problemsmorefrequently.”

Approximately1/3ofallCanadianslivewithin

100metresofamajorroador500metresofa

highway—thezonesmostaffectedbytraffic-

relatedairpollution.

“Thequestionis,arewedoingenoughtosafeguard

publichealth?Shouldwebeseparatingactive

commuting(e.g.cycling)frombusyroadsor

establishingpoliciesonthelocationofnew

schools,hospitalsandrecreationcentresfor

example?”continuedDr.Biagtan.

Inadditiontohighleveldiscussionsonairquality

andhealth,thereportalsorecognizesindividuals

andorganizationsworkingtopromotecleanair

withinBCcommunities.

2012 State of the Air report contributors include the

Ministry of Environment, Environment Canada, Health

Canada, the Ministry of Health, the B.C. Centre for Dis-

ease Control, Metro Vancouver District, the Fraser Valley

Regional District, the University of British Columbia and

Simon Fraser University

Tobaccouseremainsthe#1preventablecauseofdeath.

Measurestoreducesmoking,andminimizeexposureto

second-handsmoke,arevitaltopublichealth.

WhiletheBCgovernmenthasexhibitedleadershipin

someareas—mostrecentlybysubsidizingthecost

ofprovenquitmedications—overalltheBCLung

AssociationandtheHeartandStrokeFoundation(B.C.

&Yukon)feelthepublicisready,andgovernment

capable,ofmore.In2012,thetwohealthadvocates

collaboratedtoproduceaTobaccoControlReport

Cardwhichlistedkeyareasforimprovement.

“Theaimofthereportcardistoignitedecisive

governmentactiononeveryavailabletobaccouse

deterrent,”saidBCLungAssociationCEOScott

McDonald.“Why,forexample,doesBCremainthe

onlyprovinceleftinCanadanottobanthesaleof

tobaccoproductsinpharmacies?”

Alsoonthe‘tobeimproved’lististheissueofsmoke-

freehousing.“TwomillionBritishColumbianslivein

apartmentbuildings,condosandtownhomes.The

vastmajorityarenon-smokersandwanttolivein

100%smoke-freebuildings,butfew,ifany,smoke-free

housingoptionsexist.”continuedMcDonald.

“Andweneedtoaddresssmokinginoutdoor

publicplaces.Only1/5ofBCregionaldistrictsand

municipalitieshavebylawsthatbansmokingon

restaurantandbarpatios,and/orinpublicparksand

playgrounds.Weneedstandardizedprovince-wide

legislation,”headded.

The BC Lung Association and the B.C & Yukon Heart and

Stroke Foundation have been working together on tobacco

issues under the Clean Air Coalition of B.C. banner for more

than a decade.

Are we doing enoughtosafeguardthepublicfrom

harmfulairpollutants?

STATE OF THE AIR2012B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A

Celebrating the Clean Air Month of June

1

FOREWORD

We are especially thrilled to present the 2012 State of the Air

Report. This year, we have not one but two Clean Air Champi-

ons: the Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable (PGAIR)

and Dana Schmidt. While PGAIR has done a lot over the years

to protect and ensure clean air quality for the community of

Prince George, Dana Schmidt founded the Donna Schmidt Me-

morial Lung Cancer Prevention Society three years ago to edu-

cate Castlegar’s residents on the dangers and health effects of

radon exposure in homes.

In this issue, we also profile two very special individuals: tri-

athlete Jeff Symonds and rugby player Andrea Burk. Though

competing in two different sports, Jeff and Andrea battle the

same illness: asthma. Their stories of courage and determina-

tion should inspire and remind others living with asthma that it

is possible to stay active and to succeed.

Like in previous years, we provide updates on air quality, air

pollution levels in B.C. compared to other parts of Canada, and

the clean air initiatives that agencies at various levels of gov-

ernment are undertaking. We also turn our attention on two

emerging issues—ultrafine particles and traffic-related air pol-

lution—and report on our 9th Annual Air Quality and Health

Workshop held last March.

Preparing a report such as this takes a lot of time and energy,

and I thank everyone who tirelessly worked to get it done.

Triumph Over

Adversity: Jeff Symonds

and Andrea Burk

Asthma and the

Environment

What is in the Air

We Breathe?

Pollution Levels: How

does B.C. Measure Up?

Emerging Issue:

Reducing Exposure

to Traffic Emissions

Emerging Issue:

Ultrafine Particles

Clean Air Champions:

The Prince George

Air Improvement

Roundtable &

Donna Schmidt

Memorial Lung Cancer

Prevention Society

Radon: Threats,

Challenges & Actions

Trends: Air Pollution

in B.C. through the Years

National Comparison

News from

Partner Agencies

Contact Information

of Agencies

C O N T E N T S

2

5

3

7

8

10

11

13

12

14

16

SCOTT MCDONALD President and CEO BC Lung Association

Tobacco conTrol reporT card

How does BC Compare to tHe rest of Canada?

May 2012

Advocacy The BC Lung Association works with government, health care professionals, other non-profit organizations, and industry to bring about public policy changes to improve the health of British Columbians.

To obtain a copy of the 2012 State of the Air Report: email [email protected], call

1-800-665-5864, or visit www.bc.lung.ca

To download a copy of the Tobacco Control Report Card visit

www.cleanaircoalitionbc.om

bc.lung.ca 5

Ready to quit smoking? We’re here to help, 24/7.

Quittingsmokingisabigdeal.Anditcan

takemultipleattemptsbeforeitsticks.

That’snormal,andwhywe’redesignating

the1stTuesdayofeverymonth:Tobacco-

FreeTuesday.

How does it work? Simplyvisitquitnow.ca

andsubmityourpledgetobetobacco-free

for24hoursfrom12:00amto11:59pm

onTobacco-FreeTuesday.Thecontest

runsmonthlyonthe1stTuesdayofeach

month,commencingDecember4,2012.

Youcanenteronceeverymonth,asmany

monthsasyouneed.

Why take up the Challenge? Whetherit’s

yourfirstor10thtimetryingtoquit,the

evidenceshowsifyoukeepontryingto

quitsmoking,you’llultimatelysucceed.

AndtakingtheTobaccoFreeTuesday

challengewillhelpgiveyouthe

confidenceyouneedtoquitforgood.

Who can participate? Whetheryouare

thinkingofquitting,readytoquit,orwant

tostayquit,youcanjointhechallenge

andentertowin–everymonth!Note:you

mustbeaBCResidentand19yearsofage

towinprizes.

What can I win? We’lldrawnamesand

award5prizeseverymonth.Prizesand

prizesponsorswillvaryfrommonthto

month.Visitquitnow.caformoredetails.

Where will winners be announced? QuitNow’s

website,FacebookandTwitteraftereach

monthlychallenge.Visitquitnow.cafor

contestrules,regulationsandprizingdetails.

SupportingBCMunicipalitiesinpromotinghealthycommunitiesWorkingincollaborationwithBC

Municipalities,theBCLungAssociation’s

QuitNowteamisreachingouttomunicipal

employeeswhowouldnotusuallyattenda

quitsmokingclinicorspeaktotheirdoctor

abouttheirsmokingaddiction.

“Wewanttostrengthenourrelationships

withemployerswhoshareourcommitment

tohelpingBritishColumbiansquitsmoking

andgethealthy,”saysGeriGrigg,BCLung

AssociationHealthPromoter.“TheCityof

Surreyisagreatexample.”

Smokingcessationsclinics,bloodsugarlevel

andbloodpressuretestingarejustsome

ofthethingstheCityofSurreyworkplace

wellnessteamisorganisingforCityworkers

tohelpthemstayfitandhealthy.

“Encouragingpeopletobemorephysically

active,makehealthyfoodchoicesand

quitsmokingareallpartofourwellness

initiative,”saysLindsayForsman,Cityof

SurreyEmployeeWellnessCoordinator.

“QuitNowisagreatprogram.FortheCityof

Surrey,oneofthebiggestbenefitsisthat

weareabletohitthegroundrunningas

opposedtocreatingourownstopsmoking

programfromscratch.Theresourcesofthe

QuitNowprogramareveryhelpful.”

INTRODuCING

Tobacco-Free Tuesdays!Quit for 24 hours for your chance to win prizes & a healther life

quitnow news A province-wide quit smoking resource, QuitNow provides and promotes tools and services scientifically-proven to increase quit-ready British Columbians’ chances of quit success.

For more about QuitNow, visit quitnow.ca, email [email protected] or call

The Lung Association at 1-800-665-5864.

During October Workplace Wellness Month, Geri

(right) participated at a Lunch ‘n’ Learn event

organized by Lindsay (left) for City of Surrey

employees.

Terri Stewart, BC Lung

Association Health Promoter in

Prince George.

1st Tobacco-Free

TuesdayDecember 4,

2012

6 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2012

This year marked the 28th anniversary of the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath.

Doing Good. Feeling Good. Sharing Good.

Theyraised$225,000insupportofvitallunghealthresearch,

educationandadvocacy,gothealthyandsharedgoodtimes.

We’respeakingaboutthe250+cyclingenthusiasts,volunteers

andsponsorswhounitedSeptember8-9,2012fortheB.C.Lung

Association’s28thAnnualBicycleTrekforLifeandBreath

(Trek)–a200kmridefromWhiteRocktoCultusLake.

BicycleTrekisourlongest-runningfundraisingevent.Itbegan

28yearsago,agrassrootsfundraiserorganizedbyafewintrepid

cyclists.Nowit’sanannualgatheringforaloyalfamilyofLung

Associationsupporters.Manyhavetakenpartforyears,andall

havecontributedtothenearlysixmilliondollarsraisedoverthe

yearstohelpfightlungdisease.

For more information about the Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath, contact

The BC Lung Association at 1-800-665-LUNG or visit bc.lung.ca

From left to right: Norah Heath, Crystal Barnaby and Melanie Reum

Craig Lylack“I lost 70 pounds training, took in

some pretty amazing mountain

views en route, and was able to

pay tribute to my nephew who

suffers from asthma, as well as

my sister who conquered a long-

time smoking addiction. You can’t

beat that!”

Joe Dobson“The course is great, the roads

quiet, and the scenery fantastic.

And Trek has real meaning for

me. My mom suffered from lung

cancer and I do it for her.”

Dave Beaver“I’m a doctor and I help patients

with lung problems on a regular

basis. Since I advocate a healthy

lifestyle, I try to walk the talk. Trek

is a beautiful, casual ride and the

companionship is great. It allows

me to give back and stay fit.”

Crystal Barnaby“I love the atmosphere, energy

and meeting new people. And

because I lost my uncle to lung

cancer, Trek has personal meaning

for me.”

Ken Jessiman, sister Laurie and her son Jeff

“We grew up in the Fraser Valley,

but neither Laurie nor myself

live there now, so Trek allows us

to travel the back roads of our

childhood. It’s also a way to pay

tribute to our father, who suffers

from chronic lung disease, and to

our Mom, who we lost last year.

One of our last times with Mom

and Dad together was during Trek

2011, so it’s become an important

memory.

The Frains“We’re an active family – we

love soccer, cross country and

running – and we love Trek!

We all ride: my sons Patrick and

Daniel, my daughter Katie, and

my husband too, but this year,

due an injury, he volunteered

instead. We’ll be back!”

bc.lung.ca 7

Thank you 2012 sponsors

Dunbar Cycles

YYoung Water

Budget

The River 97.5

Whistler Question FM

Global BC

Sugoi

Star FM & Country 107.1

BC Lions Football Club

BC Sports Hall of Fame

Canadian Outback Adventures

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak Centre Ltd

Greater Vancouver Zoo

Harbour Cruises Ltd

Heffley Boutique Inn

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Paradise Fun Park

Park Inn & Suites

Power House at Stave Falls

Rosedale on Robson Suite Hotel

UBC Botanical Garden

Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science

Vancouver Lookout

Vancouver Maritime Museum

Vancouver Trolley Company

Watermania

Whole Foods

Safeway

Vitamin Water

Rosebud

Q Energy

Impact Magazine

Granville Island Tea Co.

Buy-Low Foods & Nestors

Leading Brands

Get Out There Magazine

Larabar

Happy Water

Ken McDowell (20 Treks) Charlotte Snowsell ( 17 Treks)

Daphne Tobler ( 16 Treks) Debra Martin (16 Treks), Sonja Mohrsen (16 Treks), Morag and Johnny van Tol (16 Treks), Janice Hunt (10 Treks)

Jean Seymour (23 years)Shikyo Sawada (15 Treks)

Cliff Neyedi (20 Treks) and Rita Pollock (25 Treks)Ash Dhanani (21 Treks) Bonnie Pedersen (15 Treks)

Wayne Chorneychuk (18 Treks) Christa Hauzer (15 Treks) Peter Robb (20 Treks)

Marty Wanless (25 years) Lance Rossington (16 Treks)

Rosemarie Hoffman (15 Treks), Dave Bowen (10 Treks), Maxine Bowen (20 Treks), and Jean Douglas (16 Treks)

The BC Lung Association’s 3rd Annual RUSH: Race & Urban Scavenger Hunt

They were amazingly fast, amazingly strong

and amazingly competitive. We’re talking

about our 2012 RUSHers; two hundred,

two-person teams who raced around

downtown Vancouver on June 23, 2012 to

help fight lung disease and compete for

a chance to win a trip for two around the

world. Here’s your peak inside the most

outrageous fundraiser to hit Vancouver’s

streets yet.

Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Join us for RUSH 2013.

THEY DID MORE IN 6 HOURS THAN YOU DID ALL SUMMER

The BC Lung Association’s 3rd Annual RUSH: Race & Urban Scavenger Hunt

How it works: Teams of two deciphered

clues leading them to checkpoints hidden

all over metro Vancouver. The goal?

To successfully complete 10 of the 17

checkpoints and head back to Jack Poole

Plaza to cross the finish line before anyone

else – and win a trip around the world!

Photos thanks to Jorge Posada, Kelsey Derksen,

Sara Jakubowicz, Sukhraj Bhattal, Windy Corduroy,

and Andrew Lawrence.

Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Join us for RUSH 2013.

THEY DID MORE IN 6 HOURS THAN YOU DID ALL SUMMER

Thank you 2012 sponsors

Pinnacle Pursuits

Mahony & Sons

Vancouver Convention Centre

BC Place

Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver

1-800-GOT JUNK

Beaty Biodiversity Museum

Brandywine Bartending

Olivia Lovenmark/Stylestruck

Party Works

Steve Nash Fitness

Mavi Jeans

Virgin Radio

Pfizer Canada Inc.

TELUS

Vancouver Kiteboarding School

Sewells Marina

Coastal Climbing Centre

Grouse Mountain

Funtastic Inflatables

Vitamin Water

Queen Elizabeth Pitch & Putt

Q Energy

Waves Coffee

Lululemon Oakridge

UBC Dance Club

Larabar

Winners Nick and Kaley

10 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2012 bc.lung.ca 10

ASTHMA FACTS

Asthmaistheleadingcauseof

hospitalizationamongchildrenaged1–9.

Asthmaisalsotheleadingcauseofschool

absenteeism,themostcommonon-the-job

lungdiseaseandthethirdleadingcauseof

lostworktime.

Thougheffectivemedicationandtreatment

isavailable,manychildrenandadultsstill

donoteffectivelymanagetheirasthma.

AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization

(WHO)Canadahasoneofthehighestrates

ofasthmaintheworld.Altogether3million

Canadiansareaffected.

I’m working to understand

how air pollutants,

particularly traffic pollution,

affects children and adults

living with asthma, as well

as studying how long‑term

exposure to traffic‑related

pollution may lead to its

development.

Dr. Chris CarlstenWhat is the focus of your research?I study the health effects of air pollution. My current research is focused on how

diesel exhaust, in combination with other air-borne irritants, affects people with

asthma. I’m also following — together with other colleagues — a group of more than

20,000 children from birth to see how their exposure to traffic-related pollution may

lead to new asthma.

I’d like to think that my research will help tighten limits on traffic-related emissions.

Current regulations are generally based on understanding only the exhaust, rather

than recognizing the impact of both allergen and exhaust combined.

Why did you choose a career in research? I’ve always been interested in biology – the human body fascinates me – and I really

wanted to use my knowledge to tackle a significant public health problem. I’m a lover

of everything outdoors, so studying the lungs and their intimate relationship to the

outside world made sense.

Do you have any real-life heroes? My professional mentor – Dr. Moira Chan-Yeung . She was a pioneer in occupational

and environmental lung research.

If you had a second career, what would it be? I’ve always thought it would be really cool to be a cartographer, plus I love the sound

of that word. I’m fascinated by maps and could stare at them for hours.

Your proudest moment so far would be?Since moving to BC from the US, I’ve met some incredible people; true pioneers in

the lung and environmental health community. Their recognition, support for, and

interest in my research has been really motivating.

Dr. Carlsten is a physician scientist with the Lung Centre at Vancouver General

Hospital and the Centre for Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, and an assistant

professor and Chair in Occupational and Environmental Lung disease at the

University of British Columbia. He attended Stanford University before training in

internal, occupational, pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of

Washington.

ReSeARch

bc.lung.ca 11

I’m using my research

to help understand and

ultimately improve the

quality of treatment for

tuberculosis (TB) patients. For

most Canadians, the risk of

developing TB is very low, but

globally TB is still a major

health problem.

TB FACTS

Canadaishometosomeoftheworld’s

leadingTBspecialistsandnationalincidence

ofthediseaseislow,withapproximately

1,600newcasesreportedeveryyear.

TBtendstotravelsintoCanadaaspeople

travelbackandforthtohighincidence

countries,withthemajorityofallnewTB

casesinCanadaoccurringinpeopleborn

outsideofthecountryand/orAboriginal

Canadians.

TBratesamongAboriginalpeoplesaremore

than25timeshigherthanthoseofother

peopleborninCanada.

Dr. Lindsay EltisWhat is the focus of your research?I study the mycobacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). This bacteria usually attacks

the lungs, though it can affect other parts of the body, and if not treated properly is

fatal. I discovered that to survive the mycobacteria eats “good” cholesterol. In order to

digest it, certain enzymes must be present. I’m hoping to determine which cocktail of

medications could inhibit or block these enzymes. This would essentially starve the

TB mycobacteria to the point where, theoretically, the body’s own immune system

could flush it out. This would improve TB treatment – particularly for multi-drug

resistant strains of the disease, which are becoming more common and are very

difficult to treat.

Why did you choose a career in research? I decided to be a scientist when I was 14. I fell in love with the natural world. Bird

watching, in particular, was a passion. I have other interests too, rock climbing for

instance, but nothing gets me as excited as research.

Why do you think TB research has trouble attracting the same level of funding as other diseases? In Western societies TB is not as prevalent as other diseases but with the

development of new drug-resistant strains of the disease, we need to start taking

it more seriously. It is still a huge problem. One-third of the world’s population is

currently infected and millions of people still become infected and die every year.

Your proudest moment so far would be? I live for the moments where I’ve discovered something new, something I don’t

believe anyone else has seen before. My discovery about Mycobacterium

tuberculosis is up there in terms of adrenaline rush moments.

Do you have any real-life heroes? Michael Smith, a highly-regarded researcher at UBC who won a Nobel Prize in

Chemistry. He was hard-working, passionate – a true genius – but down to earth

Dr. Lindsay Eltis is Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at UBC and is the

founding Director of the Centre for Tuberculosis Research at UBC. He is also

Principal Investigator at the Eltis Lab, where his research seeks to understand

microbial enzymes and pathways involved in the degradation of natural and man-

made compounds.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the BC Lung Association grants almost a million dollars

annually to world-class lung health research taking place right here in BC. Meet a few celebrated members of BC’s research

community working to improve and save lives with our help.

12 Your Health — Fall & Winter 2012

I’m working on research that

will help better understand

and diagnose chronic

obstructive pulmonary

disease (COPD) earlier, when

more can be done to improve

quality of life.While cancer,

heart disease and stroke‑

related deaths have been

decreasing, deaths due to

COPD are rising steeply.

COPD FACTS

MorepeoplearebeingadmittedtoCanadian

hospitalseachyearwithCOPDthanany

othermajorchronicillness(including

heartattacks)andthatnumberhasbeen

increasingdramaticallyinrecentyears.

Since2005,COPDratesamongwomenhave

risenatratesfasterthanbreastcancer.

COPDcurrentlyaffects4.8percentof

Canadianwomen.

ThemajorityofCanadiansdon’tknowwhat

COPDis,whetherthey’reatriskorhowto

gettested.

Dr. Thomas AbrahamWhat is the focus of your research? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide public health problem

that reduces the quality of life, increases time lost from work, accounts for a large

proportion of acute care hospital admissions, and increases the risk of premature

death. My research will uncover critical new information about the earliest signs of lung

damage associated with COPD. These new insights will help identify therapeutic targets

for prevention and treatment.

Why did you choose a career in research?Curiosity. As a biophysicist and ardent cyclist, I’m fascinated by the complexity of

lungs – and how hostile environments created by pollution can influence lung

structure and function.

Why do you think COPD research fails to attract the same level of funding as other diseases? I think the public believes major lung diseases like COPD are man-made; either

caused by smoking or environmental pollution. The reality is many lung diseases

including asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer are caused by both

environmental and genetic factors or have no known cause. Everyone has heard

about heart attacks and stroke and knows how lethal they can be, but few know

about COPD lung attacks.

Your proudest moment so far would be? I was invited to present at the May 2012 American Thoracic Society Meeting in San

Francisco on the subject of fibrotic lung disease detection and treatment. I was

overwhelmed by the size of the audience and their interest in what I had to say.

Do you have any real-life heroes? Without any doubt, Michael Faraday, a poor bookbinder’s apprentice without formal

education who turned into one of the best experimental scientists in history.

Dr. Thomas Abraham is a microscopy expert located at the James Hogg Research

Centre at St.Paul’s Hospital. Dr. Abraham holds a Ph. D. degree in Chemical

Engineering from Laval University (Canada), and has trained in Biophysics/

Structural Biology at various institutions in Canada, Japan and Sweden.

bc.lung.ca 13

Registered Respiratory Therapist Barb Moore administers a spirometry test at a BC

Lung Association Public Health Event.

it’s called a spirometry test. And lung health advocates

urge all present or past smokers over the age of 40 and

experiencing breathing difficulties to get one.

Spirometry is a simple, painless, breathing test that measures

how much air you can move out of your lungs. It’s used to

confirm diagnosis of COPD — a life-threatening lung disease

that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible.

An estimated 93,000 British Columbians aged 45+ have been

diagnosed with mild to severe COPD. However it is believed

this is just the “tip of the iceberg” due to the lack of awareness

of symptoms.

Lung health advocates suspect thousands more middle-

aged people who smoke, or smoked in the past, could be

experiencing symptoms of the disease, but are not getting it

checked out.

The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness (or

a “need for air”), abnormal sputum (a mix of saliva and mucus

in the airway), and a chronic cough. Daily activities, such as

walking up a short flight of stairs or doing routine household

chores, can also become very difficult as the condition

gradually worsens.

“Too many British Columbians are living with chronic,

progressive, undiagnosed lung disease. And they’re not

getting diagnosed until the disease is advanced,” says

Kelly Ablog-Morrant, Health Education Director for the

BC Lung Association.

The earlier the test is performed, the earlier disease can be

detected, and treated. Many things can be done to slow

progress, manage symptoms, and improve a person’s quality

of life.

“More people today are being admitted annually to Canadian

hospitals due to COPD-related lung attacks than heart attacks

or any other major chronic illness. We need physicians to be

more proactive in screening for chronic lung disease so we

can get people into treatment earlier, when symptoms are still

mild,” said Dr. Mark Fitzgerald, Head of Respiratory Medicine

for UBC and Vancouver General Hospital.

To learn more about lung (spirometry) testing and COPD, visit

www.bc.lung.ca or call toll-free 1-800-665-5864.

Difficulty breathing? Get tested. Get healthy.

Chroniclungdisease,specifically

chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,

isthefourthleadingcauseofdeath.

There’sasimpletesttothiscondition

early,butonlyathirdofBritish

Columbianshaveheardaboutit,says

theBCLungAssociation.

fieldnotesThe BC Lung Association has been dedicated to its mission of promoting and improving lung health for all British Columbians for over 100 years. Here are some of the things we’ve been up to lately.

14 Your Health — Fall/Winter 2012

3Supporting quitters – like Clarence Lundberg. A year ago the BC government decided to subsidize

supplies of quit smoking aids and medications to

help people who smoke overcome their addiction. Since this

government initiative began in Fall 2011, more than 150,000

British Columbians have taken advantage of the free quit

medications, many of whom have also taken advantage of

free phone, text and online quit supports offered by the BC

Lung Association through QutiNow.ca. For those interested in

free quit medications, call Healthlink 8-1-1.

“I was a smoker for 45 years,” says Clarence Lundberg. “Last year my doctor said if

I smoked for one more year, I would be on an oxygen machine. Quitting hasn’t

been easy, but having access to a free supply of nicotine patches helped. I also

found additional support from the QuitNow phone coach kept me on track. Now

I can go swimming with increased endurance, my circulation has improved, and

so has my general health.”

4 Fueling action on air pollution and public health issues. The BC

Lung Association’s annual spring Air

Quality & Health Workshop unites

environmental health experts,

advocates and policymakers to

discuss the known impacts of air

quality on public health. This year’s

workshop will address the emerging

issue of traffic pollution and ultrafine

particulate matter. To learn more

about the upcoming workshop, email

[email protected] or visit at

www.bc.lung.ca

5Introducing our 2013 golf savings book – the perfect stocking stuffer!�

The BC Lung Association Golf Privilege

Club Membership Book is a great

way for golfers to pay less and play

more while supporting the Lung

Association’s work to improve lung

health in British Columbia. For only

$35, the membership

book entitles golfers to

discounts at more than

120 courses across BC.

Call 1-800-665-5864 or

visit golfandsave.ca to

order your 2013

golf book out

November 1, 2012.

1Helping communities understand external threats to lung health. We continued our

annual community lecture series this

year in partnership with the Interior

Health Authority and Health Canada –

First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

During September 2012 our health

education team travelled to Creston,

Cranbrook, Fernie, and Grand Forks

to address local lung health issues

including tobacco use, the health

impacts of wood smoke, the risks of

radon gas, and the burden of chronic

lung diseases including asthma and

COPD.

2Raising awareness of a deadly but little known lung disease. Anyone touched by idiopathic

pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) knows the need to raise

awareness is urgent. IPF is a rare and progressive lung disease

that generally targets seniors and often goes undiagnosed.

Living with IPF on a daily basis is a very frightening way to

exist. Not only is there no cure, there is no proven treatment.

Studies suggest 5,000 to 9,000 Canadians suffer from it, with

an estimated 3,000 deaths each year.

A PUBLIC FORUM ADDRESSING LUNG HEALTH ISSUES

Presented by the British Columbia Lung Association in partnership with Interior Health Authority, Health Canada – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

• Tobacco

• Wood smoke and its health impacts

• Asthma and COPD

• Radon: What you should know

LUNG HEALTH& AIR QUALITY

September 21, 2012, 6 - 9 pmSelkirk College Grand Forks Campus486 72nd Avenue, Grand Forks, B.C.Room #8, Lower Parking Lot Entrance

For details, contact:

1-800-665-5864 [email protected]

A PUBLIC FORUM ADDRESSING LUNG HEALTH ISSUESA PUBLIC FORUM ADDRESSING LUNG HEALTH ISSUES


• Tobacco


• Asthma and COPD



September 18, 2012, 6 - 9 pmFernie Community Center (Main Hall)901 - 6th Ave., Fernie, B.C.



A PUBLIC FORUM ADDRESSING LUNG HEALTH ISSUES


• Tobacco


• Asthma and COPD



September 17, 2012, 6 - 9 pmSt. Eugene Golf Resort Casino (St. Eugene Pavilion)7777 Mission Rd., Cranbrook, B.C.



BC Minister of State for Seniors, the Honourable Ralph Sultan, presents Canadian

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation president Robert Davidson and BC Lung Association

CEO Scott McDonald with the government’s proclamation declaring September 2012

the first “IPF Awareness Month” in the province.

bc.lung.ca 15

9Uniting North American leaders in TB control. As the

Secretariat for the Union (against

TB and Lung Disease) – North America

Region, the BC Lung Association plays

a role on the global stage. In February

2013, the Association is hosting the

Union’s 17th Annual Meeting

in Vancouver. More than 400

global TB and respiratory

disease experts will meet to

discuss clinical, diagnostic,

scientific and social changes

to TB control. For more

information, visit bc.lung.ca.7Valuing our individual and corporate donors. Without

the support of our individual

and corporate donors, the BC Lung

Association’s mission could not be

accomplished. See here a photo of

Katie Gove, TELUS Senior Community

Investment Manager who recently

presented BC Lung Association CEO

Scott McDonald with a $5,000 corporate

donation.

6 Celebrating our 28th annual Fresh Air Photo Contest winners!� The Lung Association and London Drugs held its 28th

annual Fresh Air Photo Contest this July and August 2012.

The contest challenges amateur photographers from across

Western Canada to send in their best fresh air photo to win

fabulous prizes. First, second and third prizes

were awarded. See the winning photos here!

8Appointing Dr. Peter Paré as BC Lung Association Volunteer Chair. This year

the BC Lung Association elected

long-standing lung health champion

Dr. Peter Paré as volunteer Chair.

Dr. Paré concurrently holds the

position of Director, The James Hogg

iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular

and Pulmonary Research, located at

St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, and

Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at

the University of British Columbia.

17th ANNUAL CONFERENCEInternational Union Against Tuberculosis

and Lung Disease – North America RegionFebruary 28 - March 2 , 2013

SHERATON VANCOUVER WALL CENTRE HOTEL, VANCOUVER, BC

THE AIR WE SHARE

THE UNION – NORTH AMERICA REGION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPresident: E. Jane Carter, MD, Brown University/Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

Planning Committee Chair/Vice-President: Kevin Schwartzman, MD, MPH, McGill

University, Montreal, QC, CanadaPresident-Elect: Pamela Orr, MD, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Immediate Past President: Masae Kawamura, MD, San Francisco Dept. of Public

Health, San Francisco, CA, USAEx-Officio: Scott McDonald, British Columbia Lung Association, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Christine Hunt, The Union - North America Region, New York, NY, USA

Secretariat: Menn Biagtan, MD, MPH, British Columbia Lung Association, Vancouver,

BC, Canada

CME PLANNING COMMITTEE

Kevin Schwartzman (Chair), MD, MPH, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

Anne Fanning, MD, Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Sue Etkind, BSN, MS, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

Eileen Napolitano, NJMS Global Tuberculosis Institute, Newark, NJ, USA

Pam Orr, MD, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Shawna Buchholz, BScN, MPH, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Ian Kitai, MD, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada

Anna Mandalakas, MD, MPH, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

Sapna Bamrah, MD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Masae Kawamura, MD, Qiagen Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA

Sundari Mase, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Ed Nardell, MD, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

FILE: IUATLD 2012 Brochure Side 1SIZE: Folded-4”x9” ; Spread-20”x9”COLOUR: 4/4

ABSTRACT COMMITTEEAlfred Lardizabal (Chair), MD, MPH, NJMS Global Tuberculosis Institute, Newark, NJ, USA

E. Jane Carter, MD, Brown University/Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA

Victoria Cook, MD, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Laura Freimanis, PhD, WESTAT, Rockville, MD, USA

Joan Mangan, PhD, MST, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Eyal Oren, MS, PhD, Public Health, Seattle King County, Seattle, WA, USA

Edward Ellis, MD, MPH, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Charles M. Crane, MD, MPH, Contra Costa Public Health, Martinez, CA, USA

Gayle M. Schack, RN, MS, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA

Howard Njoo, MD, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Kevin Elwood, MD, BC Centres for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Ann Raftery, RN, PHN, Curry International Tuberculosis Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

James Johnston, MD, MPH, BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada

NURSING ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE

Shirley Rempel (Chair), RN, MPH, Health Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Kathy Hursen, RN, MS, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

Julia Lechner, RN, BScN, Toronto Public Health, ON, Canada

April MacNaughton, BScN, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada,

Vancouver, BC, CanadaJoy Marshall, RN, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care York Region, Toronto,

ON, CanadaAnn Raftery, RN, PHN, Curry International Tuberculosis Center, San Francisco, CA, USA

CONTINUING EDUCATIONThis live activity is jointly sponsored by The American Thoracic Society and The

Union – North America Region. This activity has been planned and implemented in

accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for

Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the

American Thoracic Society and The Union – North America Region.

The American Thoracic Society is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing

medical education for physicians. It designates this live activity for a maximum of

22.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit

commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CONFERENCE GOALS• Discuss scientific evidence and lessons from successful public health programs

that promote best practices in the management of tuberculosis – notably in

Aboriginal communities, in children, and in urban populations including

the homeless• Share successful strategies for engagement and support of diverse communities

affected by tuberculosis• Discuss scientific evidence underpinning best practices in the prevention of

tuberculosis, transmission, and their application by public health programs

and providers• Provide a forum to network as well as to share knowledge and expertise with

diverse participants from North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

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Vancouver has it all—ambience, culture, sites, restaurants, lodging, and shopping. A

dynamic multicultural city in a spectacular natural environment and temperate climate. Whatever

the time of year, there are indoor and outdoor activities for everyone. Proud host to the 2010

Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver has much to offer.

People from many cultures call Vancouver home, and their influence is obvious in the city’s many

festivals, shops, restaurants and diverse neighbourhoods. There’s cuisine for every palate.

Location is everything! You can stroll or roll on wheels on the seawall, walk sandy beaches, or

enjoy the sights while dining gourmet style on the waterfront in Coal Harbour or False Creek.

Tour Gastown or Chinatown for a history of Vancouver, but don’t miss the First Nations

culture represented just minutes from downtown. The Capilano Suspension Bridge does

more than span 450 ft. across and 230 ft. above the Capilano River: it connects lush trails

through the West Coast rainforest. Its park exhibits totem poles, colourful gardens and

examples of early logging. Grouse Mountain, 3,700 ft. above the city by Skyride, offers adven-

ture (skiing, hiking), education, and fine dining with panoramic views.

Other attractions of note are Stanley Park and the Aquarium. The Vancouver Maritime Museum,

Museum of Anthropology, Japanese Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park and McMillan Conservatory

are interesting as well as educational. Theatre and symphony performances at the Orpheum, Ford

or Arts Club provide great entertainment. For sports buffs, opportunities abound—they can enjoy

watching baseball, hockey, and soccer games played at all levels.

Shopping in Vancouver offers lots of variety, too. If the designer boutiques on Robson Street and Pacific

Centre Mall in the downtown core are not enough, a short trip via Skytrain will take you to Metropolis in

the city of Burnaby.

v a n c o u ve r

Tourism Vancouver / Al Harvey

10 Supporting our Lung Association SUPERTEAM at the RBC Granfondo Whistler!�

September 8, 2012 marked the third

annual RBC GranFondo Whistler — a

mass, competitive cycling race. Thousands

of riders participated overall including a

total 20 BC Lung Association SUPERTEAM

members who together raised nearly

$19,000 in support of vital lung health and

air quality programs. Thank you GranFondo

SUPERTEAM!

Grand prize winner Cheryl Andrichuk

Second prize winner Royden Coombes Third prize winner Mark Gibbard

Publications Mail Agreement Number 40063885

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: BC Lung Association, 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

your health — fall & winter 2012

Documents